Compendium of Funding Sources Available to Harbour Authorities - 2014

Prepared by Small Craft Harbours
Department of Fisheries and Oceans

Disclaimer: This Compendium is intended to be a practical guide for use by Harbour Authorities in seeking financial assistance for their Harbour Authority business. Every effort has been made to ensure that the information contained in the Compendium is accurate and current. The Department of Fisheries and Oceans (DFO) cannot and will not assume liability for any information or advice that is contained in this document.

This compendium was prepared to assist Harbour Authorities (HAs) in finding possible sources of funding, other than those that are most commonly used by HAs, such as berthage charges, leases/ licences, user fees, etc.  These other sources, which may be offered under federal, provincial or municipal government programs, may provide additional financial support for their organizations to help with the management and upkeep of their harbours.

There are a number of reasons why HAs may be interested in obtaining additional financial assistance, such as: for a construction project; for improvements to a harbour; to purchase equipment; to help organize an event at the harbour; or to hire a student for the summer.

The material that follows is to help HAs identify possible sources of funding that best match their needs in relation to specific, proposed projects.  For example, HAs may wish to consider potential heritage and cultural aspects as well as the tourism and economic possibilities of such projects. At the same time, HAs are responsible for generating sufficient revenues to cover their operating expenses and minor maintenance work at their harbour.

Funding from sources other than the SCH Program is often available to complement an existing funding source or to support a project on a cost-shared basis. It is recommended that HA representatives work closely with SCH Program staff during the early stages of project planning to clearly establish the different parts of a project and to have a complete picture of what is involved in successfully carrying it out.

In addition to a number of programs sponsored by the federal and provincial governments that provide funding to not-for-profit organizations, there are other initiatives to assist with community-based projects in support of local economies. The information that follows sets out some sources of funding for which HAs may be eligible. SCH would like to encourage HA representatives to investigate whether there are other programs or initiatives that are not mentioned below, for which HAs may be eligible.

Key information to note:
Who: the government department or source of funding;
What: the purpose of and type of funding;
Where: how and where to apply;
When: the deadline for making an application; and
How: what must be done to take up these funding opportunities.

The material that follows is presented in the form of a checklist. In going through it, representatives of HAs may wish to check off information relevant to their organization. 

Please note that the material provided about websites is accurate as of August 2014.

There are several resources to assist HAs with planning, including a Business Planning Guide produced by SCH. Representatives of HAs may also wish to consult the Governance and Finance sections of the Harbour Authority Manual.  The Guide and Manual are available on the SCH website.

Section 1 - Federal Funding Sources

Canada Summer Jobs (Government Department: Service Canada)

Canada Summer Jobs is a government initiative that provides funding to help employers create summer job opportunities for students.

Purpose: It is designed to focus on local priorities while achieving tangible results for both students and their communities.

Eligibility criteria: Canadian not-for-profit organizations may apply.

The criteria to assess the proposals focus on:

Not-for-profit employers are eligible for up to 100 percent of the provincial/territorial minimum hourly wage and Mandatory Employment-Related Costs.

Deadline: From February 1 to the last day of February.

Application:

Career Focus (Government Department: Service Canada)

This program provides funding for employers and organizations to create career-related work experiences for post-secondary graduates.

Purpose: To help post-secondary graduates gain advancement employability skills and facilitate their transition into the labour market.

Eligibility criteria:

Deadline: Applications for funding are generally accepted on an ongoing basis.

Application:

Skills Link Program (Government Department: Service Canada)

The Skills Link Program helps youth facing barriers to employment to learn and develop the broad range of skills and work experience they need to participate in the job market.

Purpose: Through Skills Link, youth benefit from a client-centred approach and ongoing support, which helps them to complete work tasks successfully and, ultimately, find and keep a job. In turn, employers may receive financial assistance to cover the costs associated with providing employment services and individualized, integrated support to youth.

Eligibility criteria: Organizations, including not-for-profit.

Deadline: Ongoing.

Application:

Environmental Damages Fund (Government department: Environment Canada)

The Environmental Damages Fund (EDF) follows the Polluter Pays Principle to help ensure that those who cause environmental damage or harm to wildlife take responsibility for their actions.

Purpose: The EDF is a specified purpose account, administered by Environment Canada, to provide a mechanism for directing funds received as a result of fines, court orders, and voluntary payments to priority projects that will benefit our natural environment.

Eligibility criteria: Both large and small groups are eligible to apply for funding through the EDF program.

Eligible groups include:

Deadline: Before beginning the application process click on the links to provinces and territories listed in the table below to confirm:

Application: The Applicant's Guide provides details on program criteria and how to apply for funding.

EcoAction Community Funding Program (Government Department:  Environment Canada)

Environment Canada's EcoAction Community Funding Program has provided financial support to community-based, not-for-profit organizations for projects that have measurable, positive impacts on the environment.

Purpose: The Program encourages action-focused projects that will protect, rehabilitate or enhance the natural environment, and build the capacity of communities to sustain these activities into the future.

Eligibility criteria: Not-for-profit groups and organizations.

Deadline: November 1. However, if you wish to receive feedback, please submit your draft application at least one month in advance of the deadline.

Application:

Community Economic Development Program (CEDP)
(Government Department:  Aboriginal Affairs and Northern Development Canada (AANDC))

Provides core financial support for First Nations and Inuit communities for public services in economic development.

Purpose: The financial support is intended for community economic development planning and capacity development initiatives, the development of proposals and leveraging financial resources, and for carrying out economic development activities.  It includes community economic development activities such as: employment of community members; community-owned and community-member business development; community land and resource development; access to opportunities from land and resources beyond community control; investment promotion in the community; and research and advocacy.

Eligibility criteria:

Deadline: Funding is determined annually through AANDC's regional offices.

Application:

Celebrate Canada (Federal Department:  Heritage Canada)

Canadian Heritage provides financial support for activities organized during the Celebrate Canada period, from June 21 to July 1. These activities celebrate National Aboriginal Day on June 21, Saint-Jean-Baptiste Day on June 24, Canadian Multiculturalism Day on June 27 and Canada Day on July 1.

Purpose: Funding for Celebrate Canada celebrations will:

Eligibility criteria: Canadian not-for-profit organizations.

Deadline:: Usually around mid-January of every year.

Application:

Building Communities through Arts and Heritage
(Federal Department:  Canadian Heritage)

The Building Communities through Arts and Heritage Program was created to help you celebrate your community, its past and its present. The Program aims to increase opportunities, through festivals and other events and projects, for local artists and artisans to be involved in their communities and for local groups to commemorate their local history and heritage.

Purpose: The Building Communities through Arts and Heritage Program deliver its funding through three separate components: Local Festivals, Community Anniversaries and The Legacy Fund.

Eligibility criteria: Local not-for-profit groups, either incorporated or unincorporated; or a local band council, a local tribal council or other local Aboriginal government (First Nations, Inuit or Métis) or equivalent authority.

Application: Program information:
http://www.pch.gc.ca/eng/1267799042836

Section 2 - Provincial Funding

Western Provinces (British Columbia, Alberta, Saskatchewan and Manitoba)

Western Economic Diversification Canada (Community Economic Development)

The Western Diversification Program (WDP) is the main program through which Western Economic Diversification Canada (WD) makes strategic investments in initiatives that enhance and strengthen the economy of Western Canada. Increasingly, the WDP is used to collaborate with others and is designed to respond to economic priorities.

Purpose: The underlying objective of the WDP is to create a stronger West and a stronger Canada. Several guiding principles are used to help assess how initiatives contribute to this objective:

Eligibility criteria: Funding is normally only provided to not-for-profit organizations.

Application: Before submitting a proposal, or for additional information on the Western Diversification Program, please contact the WD office nearest you, or call 1-888-338-WEST (9378). https://www.wd-deo.gc.ca/eng/16.asp

You will be required to submit a signed Funding Request Summary form along with your basic proposal and, after review, a more detailed proposal may be required.

For general information: https://www.wd-deo.gc.ca/eng/301.asp

Community Futures

Community Futures (CFs) corporations take a grassroots approach to community and economic development and are primarily focused on creating jobs outside major urban centres. There are 90 CFs across Western Canada. They are not-for-profit corporations run by volunteer boards of directors, supported by salaried staff.

Purpose: The mandate of the corporations is community and business development. Each Community Futures corporation delivers a variety of services ranging from strategic economic planning; technical and advisory services to businesses; loans to small and medium-size businesses; self-employment assistance programs; and services targeted to youth and entrepreneurs with disabilities.

Application: The Community Futures Network of Canada website is your gateway to nearly 300 Community Economic Development Centres across Canada. This network works together to foster entrepreneurship and community economic development in rural areas of western Canada.

The Western Canada Business Service Network database can help you find the Community Futures office closest to you. The CF addresses are listed by province; BC, AB, SK and MB. 
https://www.wd-deo.gc.ca/eng/254.asp

ONLY APPLICABLE IN BRITISH COLUMBIA

Island Coastal Economic Trust (ICET)

The Island Coastal Economic Trust's primary objective is to be a catalyst to build a diverse and sustainable Island Coastal Economy. The Island Coastal Economic Trust was created by the Government of British Columbia to help grow and diversify the economy of central and northern Vancouver Island and the Sunshine Coast area by leveraging new investment and partnerships for economic opportunities. The Trust provides funding to create new and sustainable regional economic growth through strategic investments in targeted “sectors” within the economy of the central and northern Vancouver Island and Sunshine Coast region.

Purpose: Invest in the following defined “sectors” in the Trust area:

Eligibility criteria: Eligible applicants include: local and regional governments, non-profit societies, industry associations, educational institutions, First Nations, joint public-private ventures or partnerships, improvement districts, special and local authorities and commissions etc.

Further information on Eligibility may be found in a “Proposal Applications Guidelines – An online program guide” on the ICET website located at: http://www.islandcoastaltrust.ca/guidelines

Deadline: Please visit the ICET website for information on application deadlines: http://www.islandcoastaltrust.ca/application-form

Application: All applications should be completed electronically as a Microsoft WORD document or submitted as a PDF document to the Trust office. Financial tables and spreadsheets should be submitted in Microsoft Excel format. Any supporting information will also need to be submitted electronically.Further information can be found on the ICET website at the following link: http://www.islandcoastaltrust.ca/application-form

Atlantic Canada (New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, PEI and Newfoundland and Labrador)

The Innovative Communities Fund (ICF) – The Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency (ACOA)

The Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency (ACOA) works with, and provides funding to, 52 Regional Economic Development Organizations (REDOs) located throughout Atlantic Canada.

The Innovative Communities Fund (ICF) invests in strategic projects that build the economies of Atlantic Canada's communities.

Working in partnership with Atlantic communities and stakeholders, ICF builds on the strengths of communities and provides the tools needed to identify opportunities available for their sustainable economic growth. ICF focuses on investments that lead to long-term employment and economic capacity-building in rural communities. Urban initiatives that stimulate the competitiveness and vitality of rural communities may be considered on a selective basis.

Purpose: The purpose of ICF is to diversify and enhance the economies of Atlantic communities. ICF capitalizes on the opportunities and strengths that exist in these communities to:

Eligibility criteria:
Non-commercial/not-for-profit organizations such as local development associations, municipalities and their agencies, business or technology institutes, industry/sector associations, economic development associations, local co-operatives, universities and educational institutions.

To be considered for ICF funding, projects should:

Financial Assistance Available:  The program is funded with $175 million over five years. Assistance is non-repayable. The amount provided to each individual project will be determined by an assessment of the level of funding necessary to allow the project to proceed.

Application:

For more information on ICF funding and the application process or other ACOA programs, contact the ACOA office nearest you:

New Brunswick: 1-800-561-4030
Prince Edward Island: 1-800-871-2596
Newfoundland and Labrador: 1-800-668-1010
Nova Scotia: 1-800-565-1228
Enterprise Cape Breton Corporation: 1-800-705-3926
ACOA Head Office: 1-800-561-7862

Or by visiting their website at:  http://www.acoa-apeca.gc.ca/eng/ImLookingFor/ProgramInformation/Pages/ProgramDetails.aspx?ProgramID=6

ONLY APPLICABLE IN NEWFOUNDLAND AND LABRADOR

Fisheries Technology and New Opportunities Program (Department of Fisheries and Aquaculture (DFA), Government of Newfoundland and Labrador)

The primary objective of the program is to provide support for harvesting, processing, and marketing initiatives in order to diversify these activities and increase the overall viability of the Newfoundland and Labrador seafood industry. This program is intended to aid the provincial fishing industry become more innovative and competitive, while building a safer and more stable foundation. These initiatives will help ensure the Newfoundland and Labrador seafood industry continues to be a major economic contributor to the provincial economy.

Purpose: The focus of the program is research and environmentally sustainable fisheries development work in the harvesting and processing sectors with emphasis on more efficient utilization of traditional species, better use of under-utilized species and enhanced value-realization of all fisheries resources. Emphasis will also be placed on recovery of raw material wastage and reduced discarding of fishery by-products as well as research on ways to improve quality and reduce operating expenditures, such as increasing fuel efficiency, in order to increase returns to the industry. Market research, development and promotion will be undertaken in support of the various initiatives as well as safety initiatives. The key components of the Fisheries Technology and New Opportunities Program Overview are resource assessments, harvesting technology and innovation, processing technology and innovation, product development and market development.

Eligibility criteria:  The following are the eligibility requirements for project assistance under the Fisheries Technology and New Opportunities Program:

To find more information on projects that are eligible and not eligible, please refer to a brochure on this program that may be found at the following website:

Fisheries and Land Resources

Application:   
In order to be considered for funding, an application form and detailed project proposal must be submitted to the Program Coordinator.  Further information on this process may be found in the Program Brochure mentioned above.   

ONLY APPLICABLE IN NOVA SCOTIA

Divert NS

Divert NS is a non-profit corporation working in partnership with Nova Scotians to improve the province's environment, economy and quality of life by reducing, reusing, recycling and recovering resources. Recognized globally as an innovator in waste diversion solutions, Divert NS manages a network of 83 independently owned ENVIRO-DEPOT™ locations throughout the province.

Purpose: Divert NS is proud to offer financial assistance to non-profit organizations in support of community events, initiatives, projects and research that focus on waste reduction.

General information: https://www.novascotia.ca/nse/waste/rrfbns.asp

Quebec

Canada Economic Development for Quebec Region

Through its business offices across the province, the Economic Development Agency of Canada for Quebec Regions provides assistance to businesses and communities as well as to the organizations that support them.

Purpose: To provide tools to develop a business and the economic potential in a region.

Eligibility criteria: Not-for-profit organizations.

Additional information: Contact a regional business office
or
Economic Development Agency of Canada for the Regions of Quebec
Dominion Square Building
1255 Peel St., Suite 900
Montréal, Quebec H3B 2T9
Tel.: 514-283-6412 1-866-385-6412 (toll-free)
Fax: 514-283-3302

Services Quebec

General information on provincial government programs and services

Business hours
Monday through Friday, from 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m.

Québec calling area: 418 644-4545
Montréal calling area: 514 644-4545
Elsewhere in Québec: 1 877 644-4545 (toll free)
Persons with a hearing or speech impairment (TTY): 1 800 361-9596 (toll free)
http://www.gouv.qc.ca/portail/quebec/servicesquebec/?lang=en

Ontario

Employment Ontario Summer Jobs Service Program

Not-for-profit and other community organizations may apply to receive a $2-per-hour-per student hiring incentive. This fund is administered by the Ministry of Training, Colleges and Universities.

Purpose: Ontario Summer Jobs help young people earn money for school, gain new experiences, and contribute to Ontario's overall future.

Eligibility criteria: Private, not-for-profit or broader public sector employers operating and offering a summer job in Ontario to students age 15 to 30 who are returning to school in the fall.

Deadline: The incentive subsidizes an employer from April 1 to September 30.

Application: Find your local Employment Ontario (Summer Jobs Service) office online, or by calling Employment Ontario toll-free at 1-800-387-5656.

Information:
http://www.tcu.gov.on.ca/eng/document/brochure/employers.html

Rural Economic Development (RED) Ontario

Assists with the costs of projects that benefit rural Ontario. In today's economic climate, it is difficult to rely on traditional strengths and advantages to stay competitive in the global market. Communities that succeed in the new economy are those that can attract and retain creative individuals--innovators in technological, cultural and social enterprises. The province shares a common goal: to create and retain jobs, to revitalize communities, train and develop the skills of the workforce.

Purpose: The Rural Economic Development Program is a key part of the Ontario Rural Plan, a vision for building stronger rural communities. The Rural Plan provides a co-ordinated framework across government for delivering the policies and programs that rural communities need most.

Additional information:

https://www.ontario.ca/page/rural-and-north

Infrastructure and Community Development Program

Purpose: Modern and reliable infrastructure is a cornerstone of building thriving, prosperous communities everywhere. The Northern Ontario Heritage Fund (NOHFC) Infrastructure and Community Development Program helps northern communities make the investments necessary to improve critical infrastructure and develop partnerships that find effective ways to create jobs and improve economic prospects in the North.

Eligibility criteria: Municipalities, First Nations, not-for-profit corporations and educational institutions may apply individually.

Eligible infrastructure projects include, but are not limited to: industrial parks, winter roads projects, waterfront development, and community facilities for economic development purposes.

Application:

Send completed application forms to:
Northern Ontario Heritage Fund Corporation
70 Foster Drive, Suite 200
Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario
P6A 6V8
fax: 1-705-945-6701
email: nohfc.ndm@ontario.ca
For more information call our toll free line 1-800-461-8329.

Additional information:

Northern Ontario Heritage Fund Corporation

Northwest Territories, Nunavut and Yukon

Canadian Northern Economic Development Agency (CanNor) (Government of Canada)

The Community Infrastructure Improvement Fund (CIIF) can provide up to $1 million in non-repayable contribution funding, on a cost-shared basis, for repairs and improvements to community infrastructure. Movable equipment (vehicles) is not eligible.

Purpose: Part of strategic investments in northern development.

Eligibility criteria:

Projects need to:

Category:

Application: For more information on the Community Infrastructure Improvement Fund (CIIF), including the categories of costs
eligible for funding, or to submit an application, please contact one of CanNor's regional offices: