Lake Winnipeg Basin Program funding

Funding

Funding is available through the Lake Winnipeg Basin Program (LWBP) between April 1, 2024 and March 31, 2026 to support outcome-focused actions that address program priorities:

• nutrient reduction
• collaborative governance
• indigenous engagement

Matching Requirements

The LWBP will provide up to one-third of the total project costs, however, in some cases up to two-thirds of total project costs may be funded. Priority will be given to projects with multiple funding sources and collaborative partnerships. In cases where other federal programs are providing financial support for the project, the total federal contribution must not exceed two thirds of the total cost of the project.

Potential sources of matching funds (cash and in-kind) and how collaborations are to be undertaken (e.g. contributions by the applicant, landowners or others involved in the project, use of equipment, expertise etc.) must be clearly outlined and described in the Project Budget.

Eligibility

Eligible projects

The Lake Winnipeg Basin Program will fund projects, implemented by domestic partners within the Canadian portion of the Lake Winnipeg Basin, that address at least one of the following three program priorities:

Nutrient Reduction:

Projects in the Lake Winnipeg Basin, in key geographic areas, that reduce phosphorus loading and increase public knowledge and engagement on water quality protection.

Environment and Climate Change Canada (ECCC) may fund the following types of projects:

• implementation of beneficial management practices (BMPs), known to reduce phosphorus loading in targeted geographic areas, as well as monitoring and collecting data to evaluate their effectiveness
• development, testing and/or demonstration of innovative tools, technologies and techniques to reduce phosphorus
• community-Based Monitoring programs which supplement existing water quality monitoring data
• traditional Knowledge to address water quality and nutrient loading issues within the Lake Winnipeg Basin
• research to improve nutrient management practices and/or the effectiveness of BMPs in sub-watersheds
• training, outreach and/or education to support the implementation of nutrient reducing actions

Priority will be given to projects:

• located within a priority watershed or a Lake Winnipeg sub-basin known to be a significant source of nutrient loading to Lake Winnipeg (eg. Red River Basin)
• targeting nutrient hot spots that have been identified through watershed plans or other planning tools (eg. decision support tools or scientific modelling)
• that implement the following BMPs that mitigate nutrient loading to water bodies:
  • water retention structures (eg. ponds, reservoirs, edge of field installations)
  • wetland restoration and/or conservation
  • managed vegetated buffers
  • wastewater and feedlot run-off capture and treatment
  • relocating livestock confinement areas away from surface water bodies

Collaborative Governance:

Projects that encourage and strengthen collaborative efforts and decision making to improve water quality and reduce nutrient loading throughout the Lake Winnipeg Basin.

ECCC may fund projects that:

• develop tools, approaches and activities that strengthen collaboration and decision making
• facilitate knowledge sharing and collaborative efforts among multiple organizations to support the development and implementation of strategies and activities that advance nutrient reducing actions in the Lake Winnipeg Basin
• increase capacity to engage effectively in water quality management activities, assess results and progress, as well as undertake activities related to networking, sharing of information and outreach
• support or enable multi-stakeholder processes that develop or implement consultative decision making, adaptive management frameworks, or similar, related to sustainable development of priority ecosystems

Indigenous Engagement:

Projects that enhance opportunities, capacity and the engagement of Indigenous governments, organizations and communities on Lake Winnipeg Basin freshwater and nutrient loading issues.

ECCC may fund projects that:

• enhance engagement and provide capacity building opportunities for Indigenous governments, organizations and communities affected by Lake Winnipeg water quality
• increase Indigenous representation on boards, committees and organizations to foster relationship building and identify opportunities for collaboration on Lake Winnipeg Basin nutrient management issues
• facilitate opportunities for Indigenous and non-Indigenous leaders and organizations to build relationships, carry out initial and necessary groundwork, as well as work collaboratively on identifying common priorities and partnerships related to water quality in the Lake Winnipeg Basin

Activities NOT eligible for funding

• activities that are focused solely on water quantity issues
• activities designed only to beautify an area
• the purchase or construction of municipal infrastructure such as buildings, roads, and bridges
• the purchase of land
• activities required by law and/or mandated by a level of government
• capital or operating costs of municipal infrastructure projects (e.g. sewers, sewage treatment plants, storm water ponds)
• activities implemented and completed before a contribution agreement was signed
• activities implemented outside of Canada

Please note this is not a complete list. If you are unsure about the eligibility of your project, please contact the program for clarification.

Eligible applicants

• domestic not-for-profit organizations such as professional associations, non-governmental organizations and groups, charitable and volunteer organizations
• domestic Indigenous governments, organizations, boards, commissions, communities, associations and authorities
• domestic research, academic, and educational institutions
• canadian individuals
• domestic for-profit organizations such as small businesses with less than 500 employees, companies, corporations, industry associations, and agricultural organizations
• local organizations such as community associations and groups, seniors’ and youth groups, and service clubs
• municipal governments and local governments 
• regional conservation districts and/or watershed authorities

Eligible costs

• human resource costs, including salaries and benefits
• management and professional service costs such as accounting, monitoring, communications, official language translation, audit and legal fees
• hospitality, travel and venues/conference expenses (in accordance with the Treasury Board Secretariat’s Directives on Travel, Hospitality, Conference and Event Expenditures)
• costs associated with an Indigenous participation or ceremony
• monetary Honoraria offered to Indigenous Elders and/or Knowledge Keepers
• material and supplies costs
• printing, production and distribution costs
• equipment and capital assets purchase (less than $10,000) or rental
• vehicle rental and operation costs
• contractors 
• costs associated with land securement (e.g. leases, easements, covenants or servitudes)
• a reasonable share (15% or less) of overhead and/or administrative costs directly attributed to project delivery
• any GST/HST that is not reimbursable by Canada Revenue Agency and any PST not reimbursable by the provincial government

The following costs are ineligible:

• expenditures related to lobbyist fees
• equipment and capital assets purchase or rental for for-profit recipients
• costs associated with land securement for for-profit recipients

Please note these are not complete lists. If you are unsure about eligible costs, please contact the program for clarification.

Application Process

Applicants must submit their project application using the Grants and Contributions Enterprise Management System (GCEMS), ECCC’s online application system. 

Grants and Contributions Enterprise Management System (GCEMS)

GCEMS Applicant User Guide: The GCEMS Applicant User Guide contains step-by-step instructions on how to apply for funding, including information on how to create, edit and submit project applications.

Please contact sgesc-gcems-sgesc-gcems@ec.gc.ca for technical assistance when using GCEMS.

Project Work Plan: In GCEMS, applicants will be asked to provide information related to project work plan activities, descriptions, results, timeframe and budget. Please enter “Other” under “Activity Category” when completing the Work Plan Template online. Please see the example below.

Selection Process

Each application will go through a three-stage review process: 1) administrative screening by program staff to confirm eligibility; 2) technical review by subject-matter experts to confirm project feasibility; and 3) final review of project outcomes against program priorities.

Proposed projects will be evaluated on the quality and completeness of your application, and assessed against, but not limited to, the following criteria: results, uptake and engagement, achievability / likelihood of success and contributions from other sources.

Notification

All applicants (both successful and unsuccessful) will be notified in writing. If your project application submission is approved, you will be contacted to negotiate a Contribution Agreement, which outlines the terms and conditions of funding. Federal MPs and/or their team may be advised about the approval of a project and be provided with information provided in the project application including applicant’s name, project title, project description, project location, funding amounts and contact information.

Related links

• Projects funded by the Lake Winnipeg Basin Program

Contact us

Lake Winnipeg Basin Program
Environment and Climate Change Canada
Canada Water Agency Branch
510 -234 Donald Street
Winnipeg, Manitoba   R3C 1M8
Email: LW.Info@ec.gc.ca