Ministry or Agency: Natural Resources Canada

Funding Available: Due to high demand, the Indigenous Natural Resource Partnerships (INRP) Program will no longer be accepting applications starting May 22, 2023. Applications will re-open at a future date.

Contact: https://natural-resources.canada.ca/our-natural-resources/indigenous-natural-resources/indigenous-natural-resource-partnerships/22197

Description: The INRP Program boosts Indigenous participation in natural resource projects that support the transition to a clean energy future with $80 million funding to:

1) Enhance Indigenous communities' capacity for economic engagement in natural resource sectors.

2) Foster investment and collaboration between Indigenous Peoples and other stakeholders in natural resource development.

The INRP Program funds various projects, such as:

• Studies, planning, and assessments for economic opportunities.

• Strategic planning, capacity development, and training.

• Joint ventures, partnerships, and business development.

• Tools, technology, and product development.

• Engineering design and project support.

Ministry or Agency: Natural Resources Canada

Funding: On April 25, 2022, an additional $300 million was announced, available through 2027, to further support clean energy projects in Indigenous, rural and remote communities.

Contact: https://natural-resources.canada.ca/reducingdiesel

Description: The Clean Energy for Rural and Remote Communities (CERRC) program provides funding for renewable energy and capacity building projects and related energy efficiency measures in Indigenous, rural and remote communities across Canada.

The program is working to reduce the use of fossil fuels for heating and electricity by increasing the use of local renewable energy sources and energy efficiency. This creates environmental, social and economic benefits to support healthier and more sustainable communities.

Ministry or Agency: PacifiCan

Funding: $700 million nationally over 3 years.

Contact: https://www.canada.ca/en/pacific-economic-development/services/funding/jobs-growth-fund.html

Description: PacifiCan is investing $85.4 million in British Columbia to help job creators and the organizations that support them to future-proof their businesses, build resiliency and grow by transitioning to a green economy, fostering an inclusive recovery, enhancing competitiveness and creating jobs across the province.

Ministry or Agency: Indigenous Services Canada

Funding: $117 million in non-repayable financial contributions, Budget 2021 renewed this funding with an additional $117 million.

Contact: https://www.sac-isc.gc.ca/eng/1596809415775/1596809469296

Description: Funding for First Nations, Inuit and Métis community and collective-owned businesses whose revenues were affected by COVID-19.

Ministry or Agency: Indigenous Services Canada

Funding: Eligible activities will be reimbursed for 100% of costs, to a maximum of $500,000 include:

• Institutional development, including training and development and business supports to business development organizations

• Business advisory services and training

• Commercial ventures including business innovation and growth

• Market development

• Business development and advocacy activities

Contact: There is no deadline to apply. Applications made after all annual funding has been distributed may be considered for the next financial year.

Email: APA-ABO@sac-isc.gc.ca

Description: The Aboriginal Entrepreneurship Program (AEP) seeks to increase the number of viable businesses in Canada owned and controlled by Indigenous people. The AEP funds a broad range of entrepreneurial pursuits and aims to build capacity, reduce barriers and increase access to capital, by forging partnerships that will increase economic opportunities for First Nations, Inuit and Métis people.

Ministry or Agency: Canadian Northern Economic Development Agency

Contact: https://cannor.gc.ca/eng/1385486556734/1385486648146

To request an application form, email Operations@cannor.gc.ca or reach out to one of the regional offices by phone.

Description: Through the Northern Indigenous Economic Opportunities Program (NIEOP) CanNor supports greater participation by northern Inuit, First Nations and Métis communities and businesses and enables them to pursue opportunities for employment, income, and wealth creation. NIEOP is made up of two program streams: EBD and CROP.

EBD assists Indigenous entrepreneurs and Indigenous businesses through project-based support for activities that help facilitate the establishment or growth of Indigenous businesses.

Ministry or Agency: Canadian Northern Economic Development Agency

Contact: https://cannor.gc.ca/eng/1385486556734/1385486648146

To request an application form, email Operations@cannor.gc.ca or reach out to one of the regional offices by phone.

Description: Through the Northern Indigenous Economic Opportunities Program (NIEOP) CanNor supports greater participation by northern Inuit, First Nations and Métis communities and businesses and enables them to pursue opportunities for employment, income, and wealth creation. NIEOP is made up of two program streams: EBD and CROP.

CROP works to improve the economic development capacity of Indigenous communities and increase economic development in the three territories. It achieves this by providing financial support to First Nations, Inuit, Métis and non-status Indigenous communities so they can improve their capacity and prepare to plan for, pursue, and participate in economic opportunities.

Funding: Program funding of $14.45 million

Contact: Application processes may vary depending on the initiatives' objectives. For more information, a list of current initiatives and contact information in your area, please email IPS-SPI@canada.ca.

https://www.sac-isc.gc.ca/eng/1330016561558/1594122175203

Description: The Strategic Partnerships Initiative (SPI) provides a way for federal partners to coordinate their efforts, reduce administrative burden and pool resources in support of Indigenous communities. This approach fills gaps in other funding programs that might create a barrier to Indigenous involvement in economic opportunities. SPI initiatives can span multiple years, have regional economic impacts and serve multiple communities.

Those eligible to participate in SPI initiatives include:

• Indigenous businesses, organizations, partnerships and joint ventures

• Indigenous communities and local governments

• Academic institutions

• Provinces and Territories

Ministry or Agency: Canada Economic Development for Quebec Regions

Funding: $140 Million in funding for Quebec

Financial assistance for SMEs: Up to 50% of authorized costs.

Financial assistance for NPOs: Non-repayable financial assistance generally of up to 90% of authorized costs (up to 50% of authorized costs in the case of capital projects).

Contact: Contact CED - Quebec: https://ced.canada.ca/en/contact-us/

Description: The funding, which aims to foster innovation and business growth, can be awarded at any stage of a business's development. Projects submitted by SMEs or NPOs are funded for fostering expansion, productivity and growth through innovation. This funding is provided under the REGI program (Regional Economic Growth through Innovation)

Ministry or Agency: Federal Development Agency for Southern Ontario

Funding: Non-repayable contributions from $500,000 up to $10 million per project.

Contact: Contact FedDev Ontario before submitting an application for funding through the website https://feddev-ontario.canada.ca/en/funding-southern-ontario-organizations/regional-innovation-ecosystem

Description: FedDev Ontario is looking for:

• Not-for-profit organizations who contribute to fueling an entrepreneurial environment conducive to business innovation and growth.

• Regional economic stakeholders who promote the entrepreneurial talent of underrepresented groups, including women, Indigenous peoples and young entrepreneurs.

• Ways to strengthen opportunities and networks for rural businesses to support innovation and growth.

Ministry or Agency: Trade Commissioner of Canada

Funding: $50,000

CanExport SMEs initiated an administrative pause on June 19, 2023 and is no longer receiving applications. Please visit their website for updates including details on when the program will resume.

Contact:https://www.tradecommissioner.gc.ca/funding-financement/canexport/sme-pme/index.aspx?lang=eng

Description: Small and medium sized companies may access up to $50,000 in funding to assist with international market development activities. They cover up to 50% of costs for export marketing of products and services in international markets where they have little or no sales.

Ministry or Agency: Agriculture and Agri-food Canada

Funding: $5 million in program financing. The maximum AAFC contribution towards a project will normally not exceed $200,000 per year or a maximum of $1 million over 5 years.

Contact:https://agriculture.canada.ca/en/programs/agridiversity/step-4-how-apply

Description: Applications will be accepted from March 6, 2023 until September 30, 2027; however, the application period may close sooner if funding has been fully committed. The program ends March 31, 2028. The program supports projects aimed at helping Indigenous Peoples and other underrepresented and marginalized groups in Canadian agriculture — including women, youth, persons with disabilities, racialized persons, visible minorities, 2SLGBTQI+ communities, and official language minority communities — to fully participate in the sector by helping these groups address the key issues and barriers they often face for sector participation.

Funding: Up to $5 billion total. Still in development. Announced in Fall Economic Statement 2023, reinforced in Budget 2024.

Contact: https://budget.canada.ca/2024/report-rapport/budget-2024.pdf

Description: Budget 2024 expanded on announcements in the 2023 Fall Economic Statement to commit to an Indigenous Loan Guarantee Program with up to $5 billion in loan guarantees to unlock capital for Indigenous communities. The program is proposed to be sector-agnostic for natural resource and energy projects to prioritize economic reconciliation and self-determination. However, the program is still in development.

Ministry or Agency: Natural Resources Canada

Funding: The first national call for proposals will provide up to $3.5 million in grant funding to eligible engagement projects, with funding per project ranging from $50,000 to $150,000. The application deadline is December 31, 2024 and projects must be completed by March 31, 2026.

Contact: https://www.canada.ca/en/campaign/critical-minerals-in-canada/federal-support-for-critical-mineral-projects-and-value-chains/critical-minerals-infrastructure-fund1.html

Description: The Critical Minerals Infrastructure Fund (CMIF) will provide up to $1.5 billion in federal funding over seven years for clean energy and transportation infrastructure projects necessary to enable the sustainable development and expansion of critical minerals in Canada. Applications are currently open for the Indigenous Grants Program, which will support Indigenous engagement, participation, and capacity building related to infrastructure projects that would enable critical minerals development.

Ministry or Agency: Ministry of Indigenous Relations and Reconciliation

Funding: Contact one of the lenders listed below for application and answers to other questions about the program:

All Nations Trust Company (https://www.antco.ca/)

Nuu-chah-nulth Economic Development Corporation (http://www.nedc.info/)

Tale'awtxw Aboriginal Capital Corporation (http://tacc.ca/)

Tribal Resources Investment Corporation (http://www.tricorp.ca/)

Contact: First Citizens Fund Business Loan Program - Province of British Columbia (gov.bc.ca)

Description: The First Citizens Fund is a perpetual fund created in 1969, which supports cultural, educational and economic development programs for Indigenous people, communities and businesses in B.C.. It helps fund Indigenous organizations offering services in the following areas: Indigenous small business development, First Nations language preservation, Friendship Centres, Elders and Students. Through the Business Loans Program, business loans are available to Indigenous entrepreneurs in British Columbia.

Ministry or Agency: Ministry of Energy, Mines, and Low Carbon Innovation

Funding: Since 2008, the ICE Fund has committed over $112 million to support pre-commercial clean energy technology projects, clean energy vehicles, research and development, and energy efficiency programs. Through ICE, past project have received as low as $2,500 and as high as $6.5 million.

Contact: https://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/industry/electricity-alternative-energy/innovative-clean-energy-solutions/innovative-clean-energy-ice-fund

Description: The Innovative Clean Energy (ICE) Fund is a special account, funded through a levy on certain energy sales, designed to support the province's energy, economic, environmental, and greenhouse gas reduction priorities and to advance B.C.'s clean energy sector. Projects are co-funded with the federal Sustainable Development Technology Canada (SDTC) fund through one application. In Spring 2024, the ICE Fund will be launching a new three-year, $12.3 million call for clean energy innovation funding.

Funding: 20% of qualified mining expenses less the amount of any assistance received or receivable. An enhanced rate of 30% is available for qualified mineral exploration undertaken in prescribed Mountain Pine Beetle affected areas.

Contact: Mining exploration tax credit for corporate income tax - Province of British Columbia (gov.bc.ca)

Description: The mining exploration tax credit is for eligible corporations, and corporations that are members of partnerships conducting grassroots mineral exploration in B.C. The corporation or partnership must incur qualified mining exploration expenses for determining the existence, location, extent, or quality of a mineral resource in B.C. The credit appliues to exploration for all base and precious metals, coal, and some industrial minerals. Qualifying mining exploration expenses may include expenses incurred in the course of prospecting, carrying out geological surveys, drilling, trenching, digging test pits, and preliminaty sampling. Qualified mining exploration expenses incurred after February 28, 2015 may also include expenses for environmental studies and community consultations to obtain a right, license or privilege to determine the existence, location, extent, or quality of a mineral resource in B.C.