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Up-Front Multi-Year Funding




Strategic Outcome: Canada’s natural environment is conserved and restored for present and future generations

Program Activity: Sustainable Ecosystems: Education and Engagement (1.3.3.4)

Name of recipient: Clayoquot Biosphere Trust

Start date: February 2000

End date: In perpetuity

Description: Creation of an endowment fund for the Clayoquot Biosphere Trust (CBT) – the cornerstone of the Clayoquot Sound UNESCO Biosphere Reserve. The CBT will use the income from the endowment fund to support local research, education and training in the Biosphere Reserve region.

($ millions)
Total Funding Prior Years' Funding Planned Funding
2012-13
Planned Funding
2013-14
Planned Funding
2014-15
$12 $12 (2000) $0 $0 $0

Summary of annual plans of recipient:

During 2012–2013, the CBT will focus on the following objectives and deliverables:

  • Implement a multimedia camp program for high school students focused on biosphere-related topics such as stewardship and philanthropy;
  • Implement a Board-led, multi-year strategy and fundraising campaign to support the establishment of a permanent biosphere centre;
  • Implement a $50,000 call for projects;
  • Publish a community health snapshot that identifies successes and challenges;
  • Maintain the CBT/Genus Scholarship Program; and
  • Implement a fund development plan to build endowments and secure donations for CBT priorities.

Link to recipient’s site: www.clayoquotbiosphere.org



Strategic Outcome: Threats to Canadians and their environment from pollution are minimized.

Program Activity: Climate Change and Clean Air

Name of recipient: Green Municipal Fund (GMF)

Start date: February 2000

End date: In perpetuity

Description: The Green Municipal Fund (GMF) is a $550M revolving fund administered by the Federation of Canadian Municipalities (FCM) in support of grants, loans and loan guarantees to encourage investment in environmental municipal projects. The Government of Canada endowed the FCM with a total of $550 million for this initiative through a series of Budget decisions from 2000 to 2005.

The GMF was established to have a positive impact on the health and the quality of life of Canadians by reducing greenhouse gas emissions, improving local air, water and soil quality and promoting renewable energy by supporting environmental studies and projects within the municipal sector. Eligible projects may fall in one or more of the following categories: energy, water, waste, sustainable transportation, brownfields, or integrated community projects. $150 million is to be used exclusively to support brownfield remediation and redevelopment.

The amount of GMF financing available to municipalities is directly related to the environmental benefits and/or innovation of the projects undertaken, with grant-loan combinations of up to 80 percent of eligible costs available for capital projects with exceptional environmental benefits.       

The FCM has created two advisory bodies, the GMF Council and the Peer Review Committee, as stipulated in the GMF Funding Agreement between the FCM and the Government of Canada. The Council’s role is to assist the FCM Board of Directors, the decision-making body for the GMF, in approving projects proposed by municipalities. The 15-member GMF Council includes 5 federal members: 2 from Environment Canada, 2 from Natural Resources Canada and 1 from Transport Canada. All federal members are appointed by the FCM Board of Directors based on recommendations from the Minister of Environment. Environment Canada peer reviewers provide the GMF and federal Council Members with expert environmental science and clean technology advice. They also review and analyze funding proposals and help evaluate the environmental outcomes of funded projects.

($ millions) by Environment Canada1
Total Funding Prior Years' Funding Planned Funding
2012-13
Planned Funding
2013-14
Planned Funding
2014-15
275 275      

1 All amounts in this table represent the amounts transferred to the GMF by Environment Canada. An equivalent amount was transferred by Natural Resources Canada for a total of $550 million.

Summary of annual plans of recipient: The GMF’s most recent Annual Statement of Plans and Objectives (ASPO) 2011–2012 states that the expected results for fiscal year 2011–2012 include the following:

Grants for sustainable community plans, feasibility studies and field tests
After March 31, 2009, FCM must aim to commit $6 to $8 million in grants for sustainable community plans, feasibility studies and field tests.

In fulfillment of this requirement, FCM will make a minimum total of $6 million available for feasibility studies, field tests and sustainable community plans in 2011–2012.

Loans and grants for capital projects
FCM offers a combination of grants and low-interest loans in support of capital projects. Grants are only offered in combination with loans. Under the Funding Agreement, FCM must aim to commit $50 to $70 million per year in loans. Up to March 31, 2009, FCM may commit $7 to $10 million per year in grants to capital projects, and $5 to $6 million thereafter.

FCM must also aim to commit $150 million in the GMF loans for brownfield projects by March 31, 2012. In fulfillment of these requirements, a minimum of $150 million in low-interest loans will be available for capital projects in 2011–2012. Of this amount, a minimum total of $85 million will be available for brownfield projects.

A minimum total of $5 million will be available in grants for capital projects. This amount has been allocated consistent with the funding levels targeted for loans. Under the provisions of the Funding Agreement, brownfield projects are not eligible for grants.

Performance measures
To measure and demonstrate the qualitative, quantitative, short-term and long-term success of the GMF, the planned activities for 2011–2012 include the following:

  • Streamlining operations: Establish the prospect, application and contract-to-disbursement process so that the process is defined by an indicator, standard timeline and performance reporting, and facilitates access and participation for both rural and urban municipalities and across regions.
  • Determining and understanding the needs of the GMF target audience: Focus activities and develop products so that they are aligned with client needs.
  • Measuring outcomes: Measure and demonstrate the qualitative, quantitative, short-term and long-term success of the GMF.
  • Leveraging for greater impact: Collaborate with stakeholders (e.g. other funding agencies, NGOs, governments, service providers, etc.) for mutual benefit and greater overall impact reflected in projects, plans and studies approved for funding by FCM.
  • Building capacity: Deliver knowledge, training and networking activities that leverage the GMF to accelerate the implementation, communication and replication of sustainability initiatives in Canadian municipalities.
  • Focused marketing: Design and implement highly targeted, customer-based messaging and sales activities that speak to the direct needs of our priority markets.
  • Integrating communications: Ensure that targeted/core priority messages are infused, supported and integrated into all GMF points of touch, both internally and externally.
  • Funding brownfields: Continue to provide best efforts to achieve $150 million in funding by 2012.

Note: For more information on the plans and objectives of the GMF for fiscal year 2011-2012, refer to the GMF Annual Statement of Plans and Objectives (ASPO) 2011-2012 by clicking here:

Link to recipient’s site: http://gmf.fcm.ca/



Strategic Outcome: Canada's natural environment is conserved and restored for present and future generations.

Program Activity: 1.1 Biodiversity – Wildlife and Habitat

Name of Recipient: Nature Conservancy of Canada (NCC)

Start date: March 2007

End date: Until the total funding is expended (note that the funding agreement is a grant)

Description: Funding enables the Nature Conservancy of Canada (NCC) to implement the Natural Areas Conservation Program. The Conservancy works to ensure the long-term protection of biodiversity by working with private landowners to secure ecologically significant lands that have been identified as priorities for conservation. The Conservancy acquires and preserves private land through one of four methods: land purchase, land donations, conservation easements and relinquishment of rights. The goal of the program is to secure 200,000 ha of private land for conservation.

($ millions)
Total Funding Prior Years' Funding Planned Funding
2012-13
Planned Funding
2013-14
Planned Funding
2014-15
$225 $167.3 transferred from April 1, 2007 to March 31, 2011 plus $33.7 pending for FY 2011–2012 To be determined based on the annual workplan of the NCC (until funding is exhausted) To be determined based on the annual workplan of the NCC (until funding is exhausted) To be determined based on the annual workplan of the NCC (until funding is exhausted)

Summary of annual plans of recipient: The Natural Areas Conservation Program (NACP) operates on the basis of the EC-approved annual NACP Work Plan.  The NACP Work Plan is based on priorities approved by the NACP Program Committee for the coming fiscal year of the Nature Conservation of Canada (July 1 to June 30 of the following year). The annual workplan identifies priority areas for land acquisition and projects the expenditures and number of land transactions (including acreage) anticipated for those priority areas. Required funding is transferred each fall based on the approved workplan.

In terms of performance reporting for the program, NCC submits to EC in December a yearly progress report that highlights the land transactions and other achievements in meeting the program’s goals. In turn, these progress reports shape the activities for the following year’s workplan. It is important to note that, as with other land conservation initiatives that use land securement, conservation easements, and other means to increase the volume of private land conserved, the program’s achievements are dependent on the landowners’ engagement and willingness to close the deal in a timely fashion.

Link to recipient’s site: www.natureconservancy.ca



Strategic outcome: Threats to Canadians and their environment from pollution are minimized.

Program activity: Climate Change and Clean Air

Name of recipient: Sustainable Development Technology Canada (SDTC)

Start date: March 2001 Sustainable Development Technology Fund (SD Tech Fund), and April 2007 Next Generation Biofuels Fund (NGBF)

End date: Currently June 2015 for SD Tech Fund (under renegotiation to December 2017) and September 2027 for NGBF

Description: SDTC is a not-for-profit foundation created by the Government of Canada, with a series of federal grants that now total to $1.05 billion1. As sponsoring departments for the federal government, Environment Canada and Natural Resources Canada provide federal oversight of SDTC to ensure it complies with the two funding agreements and the founding legislation. Natural Resources Canada is the federal SDTC lead.

SDTC manages two separate funds: the SD Tech Fund (consisting of $550 million1 up-front funding) to provide financial support to projects that have the potential to advance sustainable development, including technologies to address climate change, clean air and water and soil quality issues; and, the NGBF ($500 million) to provide financial support towards establishment of facilities producing next-generation renewable fuels at large demonstration scale. SDTC-funded projects are active in all major Canadian economic sectors, including: energy exploration and production, power generation, energy utilization, transportation, agriculture, forestry and wood products and waste management.

(million $) by Environment Canada2
Total Funding Prior Years’ Funding Planned Funding
2012-13
Planned Funding
2013-14
Planned Funding
2014-15
SD Tech Fund – Up‑Front Portion3 275 275 01 01 01
NGBF4 250 33.2 62.5 50.0 25.0
Total 525 308.2 62.5 50.0 25.0

1 Further recapitalization of $40 million for the SD Tech Fund was announced in Budget 2011 and, accordingly, a new funding agreement and Treasury Board Submission are under development. SDTC has requested further recapitalization of the SD Tech Fund in Budget 2012.
2 All amounts in this table represent the amounts transferred to SDTC by Environment Canada. An equivalent amount is transferred by Natural Resources Canada.
3 $275 million of the SD Tech Fund was paid out by Environment Canada “up-front” in prior years.
4 Please also see “Details of Transfer Payment Programs (TPP) for NGBF”.

Summary of annual plans of recipient: SDTC publishes a corporate plan in November of each year which describes plans for the current year and provides a forecast for the following year for both the SD Tech Fund and NGBF. It includes a disbursement plan, planned administration expenditures, objectives and proposed actions, an investment update, operating strategy, and performance expectations. The SDTC Annual Report and the Executive Summary of the Corporate Plan are tabled in the House of Commons by the Minister of Natural Resources, usually in July or August.

1. SD Tech Fund

As of June 2011, SDTC’s SD Tech Fund has allocated $548 million to 223 projects. SDTC’s allocation has been leveraged by an additional $1.3 billion in contributions from the private and public project partners for a total project value of $1.9 billion. SDTC has estimated that all projects funded from 2002 to December 2010 have the potential to reduce annual greenhouse gas emissions by 7 to 17 megatonnes by the end of 2015.

Each year, the SD Tech Fund allocates funds to approved projects and then, over time, disburses those funds. Allocations and disbursements occur on separate timelines. Annual disbursements are projected to be $80 million in 2011 (which will result in total disbursements of $300 million to $315 million by the end of 2011) and $85 million to $100 million in both 2012 and 2013.

2. NextGen Biofuels Fund (NGBF)

The amount transferred to date from the Government of Canada to SDTC’s NGBF is $66.3 million (half from Environment Canada and half from Natural Resources Canada). From April 1, 2012 to March 31, 2013, SDTC plans to disburse $31.9 million to NGBF projects. Accordingly, SDTC has sufficient funds on hand for FY 2012-13 and no new transfers are needed for that period. SDTC plans to allocate the entire $500 million (possibly to 4 or 5 projects) by the end of December 2012 and to fully disburse $500 million to NGBF projects by March 31, 2017, according to the 2012 Corporate Plan.

Link to recipient’s site: www.sdtc.ca

Link to Environment Canada’s SDTC page:
www.ec.gc.ca/scitech/default.asp?lang=En&n=7C0A752B-1