Submissions open for Environmental Damages Fund (Canada)

Deadline: 30-May-24
The Environment and Climate Change Canada (ECCC) has announced applications for Environmental Damages Fund program to restore the environment and conserve wildlife and habitats in a scientifically sound, cost-effective, and technically feasible way.

ECCC collaborates with the Department of Fisheries and Oceans Canada, Parks Canada, and Transport Canada to deliver the program. These federal departments are responsible for the enforcement of legislation that may be used to direct funds to the EDF.

Funding Information

Environmental Damages Fund (EDF) funds come from fines, penalties, court orders, and voluntary payments following environmental infractions. For this call for proposals, funding is available in the following provinces and territories:
- British Columbia
  - Funds Available: $475,000
    - For projects related to the conservation and protection of fish or fish habitat or the restoration of fish habitat in the Province of British Columbia; priority may be given to projects within the Campbell River area. Applicants must request a minimum of $100,000 from Environment and Climate Change Canada (ECCC) in the proposal’s budget in order to be eligible for funding.
  - Funds Available: $2,660,000
    - For projects related to the conservation and protection of fish or fish habitat or the restoration of fish habitat in the Province of British Columbia; priority may be given to projects within the Lower Fraser River and tributaries. Applicants must request a minimum of $250,000 from ECCC in the proposal’s budget in order to be eligible for funding.
  - Funds Available: $950,000
    - For projects related to the conservation and protection of fish or fish habitat or the restoration of fish habitat in the District of West Vancouver, City of North Vancouver, District of North Vancouver, and North Shore Mountains within the Province of British Columbia. Applicants must request a minimum of $250,000 from ECCC in the proposal’s budget in order to be eligible for funding.
  - Funds Available: $1,045,000
    - For projects related to the conservation and protection of fish or fish habitat or the restoration of fish habitat in the Peace River region of British Columbia; priority may be given to projects related to bull trout. Applicants must request a minimum of $250,000 from ECCC in the proposal’s budget in order to be eligible for funding.
- Alberta
  - Funds Available: $3,145,000
    - For projects related to the conservation and protection of fish or fish habitat or the restoration of fish habitat in the Province of Alberta; priority may be given to projects in the Eastern Slopes area. Applicants must request a minimum of $250,000 from ECCC in the proposal’s budget in order to be eligible for funding.
  - Funds Available: $450,109
    - For projects related to the conservation and protection of migratory birds or migratory birds’ habitat or the restoration of migratory birds’ habitat in the Province of Alberta, with priority for projects in the northeastern Alberta region (defined as: east of Highway 35, and north of contiguous Highway 2 and Highway 55). Priority may be given to projects led by Indigenous organizations and communities. Applicants must request a minimum of $100,000 from ECCC in the proposal’s budget in order to be eligible for funding.
  - Funds Available: $293,348
    - For projects related to the conservation and protection of fish or fish habitat or the restoration of fish habitat within Modeste, Strawberry, Sturgeon, and Beaverhill sub watersheds of the North Saskatchewan River Watershed, including the Edmonton area, with priority for projects related to Lake Sturgeon or Species at Risk Act (SARA) listed endangered or threatened species. Applicants must request a minimum of $100,000 from ECCC in the proposal’s budget in order to be eligible for funding.
- Manitoba
  - Funds Available: $190,000
    - For projects related to the conservation and protection of fish or fish habitat or the restoration of fish habitat in the Province of Manitoba; priority may be given to projects in the Upper Nelson River watershed. Applicants must request a minimum of $100,000 from ECCC in the proposal’s budget in order to be eligible for funding.
- Northwest Territories
  - Funds Available: $475,000
    - For projects related to the conservation and protection of fish or fish habitat or the restoration of fish habitat in the Territory of Northwest Territories; priority may be given to projects within the Great Slave Lake watershed. Applicants must request a minimum of $100,000 from ECCC in the proposal’s budget in order to be eligible for funding.
- Quebec
  - Funds Available: $950,000
    - For projects related to environmental conservation, protection, or restoration in the St. Lawrence River watershed in the Province of Quebec; priority may be given to projects directly targeting the Bouchard stream. Applicants must request a minimum of $250,000 from ECCC in the proposal’s budget in order to be eligible for funding.

Duration

There is no maximum EDF project duration; however, the average EDF project is completed within three (3) years and typically does not exceed five (5) years.

Project Eligibility

EDF funding is available for projects that fall into one or more of the following four EDF funding categories:
- Restoration
  - Restore the same type of natural resource(s) lost, of the same quality and value in the locale where the incident occurred;
  - Restore the same type of natural resource(s) lost, of the same quality and value in another locale; or
  - Restore the same type of natural resource(s), but of different quality in the locale where the incident occurred.
- Environmental Quality Improvement
  - Improve or enhance different natural resources in the locale in which the incident occurred;
  - Improve or enhance different natural resources in a different locale; or
  - Improve or enhance environments previously degraded by pollutant discharges or other human-induced alterations (e.g., tidal barriers, dike lands).
- Research and Development
  - Undertake the assessment or research of environmental damage in support of restoration planning, including the long-term effects and cumulative impacts of pollutant discharges, or for increased understanding of limiting factors for migratory bird populations; or
  - Develop environmental damage assessment and restoration methods, including techniques for the valuation of damage; restoration alternatives (e.g., environmental management plans).
- Education and Awareness
  - Promote education related to environmental damage restoration, including training for the assessment and restoration of damage, or for increased awareness and compliance with environmental regulations; or
  - Promote community capacity building and environmental stewardship in support of environmental damage restoration.

Ineligible Funding Activities

The following types of activities are not eligible to receive funding from the EDF:
- activities required by law and/or mandated by any levels of government;
- containment and clean-up of environmental spills;
- restoration of contaminated sites;
- infrastructure, particularly related to municipal, provincial, and federal government program areas
- lobbying or advocacy activities;
- recreation and tourism projects or beautification initiatives;
- preparation of formal curriculum materials;
- core organization functions and activities such as meetings, maintenance, and administration (however, project specific administrative support is eligible);
- annual or regular organization events/campaigns;
- expenses to attend general conferences and workshops (project specific conferences and workshops are eligible);
- projects and/or activities already underway;
- continuation of projects previously funded by the EDF;
- projects outside of Canada;
- bursaries or cash incentives.

Who can apply?

To be eligible, applicants must be not-for-profit, and may include:
- Non-government organizations (e.g., environmental community groups, registered charities, etc.);
- Indigenous organizations, defined as:
- National, provincial, and territorial Indigenous organizations;
- Tribal councils;
- Indigenous communities.
- universities and academic institutions (e.g., community colleges, CEGEP);
- Provincial, territorial, and municipal governments.
Ineligible applicants include:
- individuals;
- businesses;
- federal government departments and agencies (However they may partner with eligible applicants)
- offenders that have been fined or made monetary payments directed to the EDF (They are also not permitted to partner with eligible groups);
- International entities (However they may partner with eligible applicants or support a project. Projects must take place within Canada and/or the project activities must benefit Canadians).

For more information, visit Government of Canada.