Potential Applicants
Thank you for your interest in the Environmental Damages Fund. Before you begin the application process please ensure you have completed the following steps:
Step 1 - Determine the availability of funds in your region and the application deadline by visiting our available funds page.
Step 2 - Confirm funding information, the eligibility of your group and project idea or submit a draft project proposal for feedback by contacting your Environment Canada regional office.
Begin the application process by selecting one of the following links:
- How to apply and eligibility criteria - Applicant's Guide and Application Form
- What groups are eligible or ineligible to apply?
- How Environment Canada solicits new project proposals
- What types of projects are eligible for funding?
- How to track project results using performance indicators
- What projects and activities may not be funded?
1. How to apply and eligibility criteria – Applicant’s Guide and Application Form
Our Applicant's Guide provides details on program criteria and how to apply for funding.
- Read or download the Applicant's Guide and Application Form
- Submit a draft project proposal for feedback.
- Submit a completed Application Form to your Environment Canada regional office before the posted application deadline.
2. What groups are eligible or ineligible to apply?
Both large and small groups are eligible to apply for funding through the EDFprogram. Eligible groups include:
- Non-governmental organizations
- Universities and academic institutions
- Aboriginal groups
- Provincial, territorial and municipal governments
Ineligible groups are encouraged to partner with eligible groups to apply for funding. Ineligible groups include:
- Individuals
- Businesses
- Federal governments and agencies
Offenders are not eligible to apply directly, or to partner with eligible groups, for fines or monetary payments they have made that were directed to the EDF.
3. How Environment Canada solicits new project proposals
Environment Canada regional offices actively seek project proposals from eligible groups requesting financial support for projects that meet the EDF program criteria. Available funds are posted on the available funds page along with any use restrictions and the funding application deadline.
4. What types of projects are eligible for funding?
To be eligible projects must address one or more of the following categories:
1.Restoration (highest funding priority)
Natural environments affected by environmental damage are restored, for example:
- Restore same type of natural resources lost, of the same quality and value in the locale in which the incident occurred.
- Restore same type of natural resources lost, of the same quality and value in another locale.
- Restore same type of natural resource, but of different quality in the locale where the incident occurred.
2. Environmental Quality Improvement
Environmental quality is improved in areas where environmental damage or harm to wildlife has occurred, for example:
- Improve or enhance different natural resources in the locale in which the incident occurred.
- Improve or enhance different natural resources in a different locale.
- Improve or enhance environments previously degraded by pollutant discharges or other human induced alterations (e.g. tidal barriers, dike lands).
3. Research and Development
Knowledge of long-term and/or cumulative impacts of environmental damage or harm to wildlife is increased, for example:
- 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 birds populations.
- Develop environmental damage assessment and restoration methods including techniques for the valuation of damage; restoration alternatives (e.g. environmental management plans).
4. Education and Awareness
Awareness and understanding related to environmental damage restoration or compliance with environmental regulations is increased, for example:
- 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.
- Promote community capacity building and environmental stewardship in support of environmental damage restoration.
Funding priority is given to projects that will help to restore the natural environment and conserve wildlife in the geographic region (local area, region or province) most affected by the original incident.
In instances where fines are directed to the EDF when no environmental damage or harm to wildlife has occurred consideration will be given to all types of projects under the four project categories (research and development or education and awareness projects related to environmental restoration and compliance with regulations).
5. How to track project results using performance indicators
Your project must include one or more key indicators listed in the table below.
EDF Performance Indicators
Restoration
Natural environments affected by environmental damage are restored.
Proportion = Total Area (in hectares) Restored / Total Area (in hectares) Affected
Improvement
Environmental quality is improved in areas where environmental damage or harm to wildlife has occurred.
Proportion = Total Area (in hectares) Restored / Total Area (in hectares) Affected
Hectares of natural environment created or enhanced.
Includes: Carbon Dioxide (CO2); Methane (CH4); Nitrous Oxide (N2O); HFCs, PFCs and SF6.
Includes: Sulphur Oxides (SOx); Nitrogen Oxides (NOx); Particulate Matter (PM); Volatile Organic Compounds (VOC); Carbon Monoxide (CO); and, Ammonia (NH3).
Research and Development
Knowledge of long-term and/or cumulative impacts of environmental damage or harm to wildlife is increased.
Number of recommendations implemented / Total number of recommendations.
ations
Education and Awareness
Awareness and understanding related to environmental damage restoration or compliance with environmental regulations is increased.
6. What projects and activities may not be funded?
Ineligible projects and activities include:
- Activities required by law and/or mandated by other 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;
- Projects outside of Canada.
Please note that this is not a comprehensive list. If you are unsure about any of the examples listed above or the eligibility of your project and activities, please contact your regional office.
- Date Modified: