Grants and Contributions

Context

Public Safety (PS) administers a portfolio of 34 Grants and Contributions (Gs&Cs) programs covering a wide range of emergency management, national security and community safety issues. Grants are typically used for a one-time activity that do not require monitoring and oversight. Contributions are often longer-term and support complex projects which require oversight and monitoring. PS programs are either managed by the Emergency Management and Programs Branch (EMBP) or by the Crime Prevention Branch (CPB). They vary considerably in size ranging from $200K for smaller programs and up to $446M for the largest which is the Disaster Financial Assistance Arrangements (DFAA). While the DFAA is a non-discretionary program, most other programs are subject to a selection process led by public servants and are based on program terms and conditions, pre-established priorities and criteria. Decisions regarding the allocation of Gs&Cs are made throughout the year and provide an opportunity for related announcements and events.  The department produces a monthly Gs&Cs tracker, which is shared with the Minister’s Office and assists in identifying announcement opportunities.
Ongoing investments across Canadian communities and stakeholders include but are not limited to:

PS also works to strengthen national emergency preparedness to help prevent, mitigate, prepare for, respond to and recover from all-hazard events. The Department provides resources and expertise to Canadian communities in support of emergency preparedness, disaster mitigation and recovery:

Gs&Cs Process

All of PS’s Gs&Cs are subject to the Treasury Board’s (TB) Transfer Payment Policy, Directive and Guidelines. PS also has multiple Departmental directives to support transfer payments programs and ensure they are managed with integrity, transparency and accountability in a manner that is sensitive to risks, are citizen/recipient focused, and are designed and delivered to address government priorities while achieving results for Canadians.

A. Program Development

Program Design: Programs are created to deliver on the Government’s priorities, which are generally brought up through the Speech from the Throne, as a federal Budget Initiative or in reaction to any current events. To start the cycle, PS must obtain policy authority through the tabling of a Memorandum to Cabinet, then secure a source of funding either through the Budget process or through an off-cycle funding request, and finally follow with a Treasury Board Submission (TB Sub) to confirm the program authority decision.  When PS submits its programs’ Terms and Conditions for approval as part of the TB Subs, it also recommends whether a funding program should provide grants and/or contributions.

Throughout the development of these documents, Program and Policy areas work together with Finance, Communications, Legal Services and the Center of Expertise (CoE) in Gs&Cs to design programs that align with policy objectives and deliver results for Canadians.

Ministerial approval is required prior to submission of those documents to Cabinet or Treasury Board.

B. Program/Project Administration

Receipt/Assessment of Funding Requests: Once approved by the TB, programs can launch solicitations for project proposals. There are 3 main types of solicitations used by PS: open, targeted and directed. The most common is the open solicitation where programs set their parameters for accepting applications, identify priorities and develop a funding guide for applicants. The Minister’s Office is consulted regarding the solicitation methodology and priorities. Once these are approved, programs then launch the solicitation using the PS website and post the solicitation invitation on the web.
The proposals received are carefully analyzed, assessed and scored by a review committee based on eligibility, strength, feasibility and value-for-money.

Funding Decision and Agreement: Projects recommended for funding are routed for approval as per the Delegation of Financial Signing Authority (DFSA). Once approval is obtained, a funding agreement is signed and recipients can start their projects.  

Financial Information: The detailed list on 2021-22 Gs&Cs programs presents the financial information for each program (as of end of September 2021), as follows:

2021-22 Grants and Contributions programs

2021-22 Grants and Contributions programs
Grant and Contribution Programs
and Sub-Initiatives		 Description Authority Actual
Expenditures		 Planned Expenditures
(actuals + forecasts)
(as of end of September 2021)
Listed in Main Estimates 
Grants  
Memorial Grant Program for First Responders In recognition of the critical role of first responders in protecting Canadians, the Memorial Grant Program for First Responders (MGP) provides a one-time lump sum with a tax-free maximum payment of $300,000 to the families of first responders who have died as a result of their duties.  This includes deaths resulting from occupational illness or psychological impairment (i.e., suicide), while keeping Canadians safe.  21,600,000     17,400,000    21,600,000
Community Resilience Fund The Community Resilience Fund supports partnerships and innovation in countering radicalization to violence in Canada. It provides financial assistance (grants and contributions) to organizations to support research and programs to build the evidence base, as well as local capability and capacity, to counter radicalization to violence in Canada.    3,500,000           37,039      1,040,000
Heavy Urban Search and Rescue Program (HUSAR) HUSAR is a specialized unit, with access to dedicated equipment, dedicated to ensure an effective response to disasters (natural and human induced) in urban areas (Vancouver, Calgary, Toronto, in Manitoba, as well as developing in Montreal and Halifax).  This funding is to maintain the technically specialized HUSAR capabilities of Canadian HUSAR Task Forces.    3,100,000         -      3,080,000
Other National Voluntary Organizations active in the criminal justice sector The Program provides funding to NVOs who are active in the area of corrections, conditional release and/or community reintegration.     1,796,144 1,315,343       1,796,144
Grants in support of the Safer Communities Initiative     1,760,000         922,510     1,454,937
  National Crime Prevention Strategy: Crime Prevention Action Fund The Crime Prevention Action Fund is an evidence-based crime prevention program for at-risk groups and the Northern communities.    1,460,000
  Canada's Strategy to Prevent Gender-Based Violence Funding is dedicated to undertake preventative bullying and cyberbullying research and awareness-raising activities.        300,000
Cyber Security Cooperation Program Provides funding for projects that contribute to security and prosperity in the digital age while positioning Canada as a global leader in cyber security.   1,000,000                      -       287,020
Grants to provincial partners for the National Flagging System to identify and track high-risk violent offenders who jeopardize public safety This grant program was created to enhance the capacity of participating  provinces and territories to identify and track high-risk, violent offenders as well as to facilitate prosecution and sentencing of these offenders where they re-offend.     1,000,000    1,000,000      1,000,000
Total Grants   33,756,144   20,674,892   30,258,101
 
Contributions
Disaster Financial Assistance Arrangements: Contributions to the provinces for assistance related to natural disasters In the event of a large-scale natural disaster, where response and recovery costs place a significant burden and would exceed what individual provinces and territories might reasonably be expected to bear on their own, the Government of Canada can provide financial assistance to provincial and territorial governments through the Disaster Financial Assistance Arrangements. 445,750,181    3,707,876 445,750,181
First Nations Policing Program: Payments to the provinces, territories, municipalities, Indian band councils and recognized authorities representing Indians on reserve, Indian communities on Crown land and Inuit communities, for the First Nations Policing Program(1) The Program provides funding to provinces and territories to support policing services that are professional, dedicated and responsive to the First Nation and Inuit communities they serve. 172,070,209  67,332,109 135,034,980
Gun and Gang Violence Action Fund Funding to provinces and territories to support prevention programs with the objective of reducing gun and gang violence.   61,286,023   27,323,962   59,679,003
Contributions in support of the Safer Communities Initiative 42,582,899 12,731,619 41,839,051
  National Crime Prevention Strategy: Crime Prevention Action Fund & Northern and Indigenous Crime Prevention Fund The Crime Prevention Action Fund is an evidence-based crime prevention program for at-risk groups and the Northern and Indigenous Crime Prevention Fund is a culturally sensitive crime prevention program in Indigenous communities and in the North.  32,050,899 12,695,391  38,839,051
  Youth Gang Prevention Fund This Program targets youth at risk of joining or already in gangs.      6,132,000
  Canada's Strategy to Prevent Gender-Based Violence Funding is dedicated to undertake preventative bullying and cyberbullying research and awareness-raising activities.        400,000
  Communities at Risk: Security Infrastructure Program The Program to fund the installation of security equipment for private, not-for-profit organizations that are at risk of being victimized by hate- motivated crime.     4,000,000           36,228     3,000,000
Contribution Program to Combat Serious and Organized Crime   31,906,740     2,151,989   29,060,387
  Drug-Impaired Driving(1) DID funding provides support to Provinces and Territories for the implementation of the new Drug-Impaired Driving legislative regime.   16,628,740           27,309   15,112,175
  Expansion of National Strategy for Protecting Children from Sexual Exploitation Online Provides funding for projects that aim to raise awareness of online sexual exploitation, reduce the stigma associated with reporting incidents, and increase Canada’s ability to pursue and prosecute offenders.     6,600,000         485,826     6,451,369
  National Human Trafficking Hotline Provides funding to support the Hotline, a multilingual, 24/7, toll-free line, referral service, and resource centre, launched in May 2019, that receives calls, emails, and texts about potential human trafficking in Canada and refers victims to local law enforcement, shelters, and a range of trauma-informed supports and services.     3,001,000     1,250,000     2,500,000
  Implementing Canada's Tobacco Strategy Supports the Kahnawake Mohawk Peacekeepers and the Akwesasne Mohawk Police Service in addressing organized crime and cross-border criminality.     2,660,000                     -     2,620,951
  National Strategy to Combat Human Trafficking Provides funding for projects that: empower victims and survivors of human trafficking to regain their independence and help prevent their re-victimization; engage youth who may be at risk of being trafficked; and develop innovative technology-based solutions to combat human trafficking.    2,000,000         375,451      2,284,989
  Strategy to Prevent and Address Gender-Based Violence The program supports organizations working in the GBV sector to develop and implement promising practices to address gaps in support for Indigenous and underserved groups of victims and survivors in Canada, including women and girls, children and youth, seniors, LGBTQ2 and gender non-binary individuals, immigrants and refugees, women living with disabilities, and women living in rural and remote communities.     1,017,000            13,403            90,903
National Disaster Mitigation Program The program aims to reduce the impacts of flood related disasters on Canadians.   20,000,000                     -    19,579,882
Funding for First Nation and Inuit policing facilities To support better policing infrastructure for the people who live and work in Indigenous communities. 18,247,326          447,868    18,247,326
Contribution Program in support of the Search and Rescue New Initiatives Fund Financial assistance for projects that enhance search and rescue services in the areas of response and prevention.   7,386,000 845,897      6,799,723
Biology Casework Analysis Contribution Program The program provides financial contributions to the provinces of Ontario and Quebec, which have established independent forensic laboratories for the purpose of conducting biology casework analysis. This includes DNA identification analysis in support of criminal investigations and prosecutions.     6,900,000                      -      6,900,000
Policy Development Contribution Program: Payments to the provinces, territories, and public and private bodies in support of activities complementary to those of the Department of Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness, , which include the following initiatives     4,812,000                      -      4,726,691
  Support to Address Post-Traumatic Stress Injuries for Public Safety Officers The funding is to develop a coordinated Action Plan on Post-Traumatic Stress Injuries, which disproportionately affect public safety officers.     3,250,000                      -      3,250,000
  Strengthening Emergency Readiness in Canada through Public Awareness Funding to raise awareness of the risk of natural disasters to vulnerable populations.     1,000,000                      -          999,691
  Policy Development Contribution Program Provides contribution funding to forge greater consensus and cooperation among various levels of government and other stakeholders through policy initiatives and activities.         362,000                      -          362,000
  Funding to support Canada’s Flood Risk Plan The objective is to create an interdisciplinary Task Force to develop options for high risk residential flood insurance and for the potential relocation of Canadians at highest risk of recurrent flooding, also known as strategic relocation.         200,000                      -          115,000
Community Resilience Fund The Community Resilience Fund supports partnerships and innovation in countering radicalization to violence in Canada. It provides financial assistance (grants and contributions) to organizations to support research and programs to build the evidence base, as well as local capability and capacity, to counter radicalization to violence in Canada.     3,500,000      1,230,278      5,960,000
Contribution in support of the Nation's Capital Extraordinary Policing Costs Program The Minister of Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness provides a financial contribution through a program that enables the City of Ottawa to seek financial assistance from the Government of Canada, through a contribution agreement for policing costs incurred in relation to policing duties specific to the Nation’s Capital and allows the Government of Canada to reimburse the City of Ottawa for eligible costs.   3,000,000                      -      3,000,000
Aboriginal Community Safety Development Contribution Program The purpose of this funding program is to provide Aboriginal organizations (on and off-reserve), Aboriginal governments and municipalities in collaboration with Aboriginal organizations and or communities to develop tailored approaches to community safety, alternatives to incarceration and reintegration of Aboriginal offenders that are responsive to the concerns, priorities and unique circumstances of Aboriginal communities.   2,533,738         246,627      2,445,891
Contribution Program to Combat Child Sexual Exploitation and Human Trafficking Provides funding to C3P, a charitable organization dedicated to reducing child victimization by providing national programs and services to the public, including:
  • Cybertip.ca: Established 2002, Cybertip.ca is Canada's tipline for reporting the online sexual exploitation of children
  • Project Arachnid: Launched in 2017, Project Arachnid detects abuse material found online, allowing requests for removal to be sent to ISPs
  • Victim Identification and Support Strategy: Provides assistance to survivors and tailored resources for victims and their families
  • Provides public education and awareness on the issue of child sexual exploitation on the Internet
    2,035,600      1,386,997      2,757,000
Cyber Security Cooperation Program Provides funding for projects that contribute to security and prosperity in the digital age while positioning Canada as a global leader in cyber security.    1,000,000          621,660       3,533,351
Search and Rescue Volunteer Association of Canada Contribution Program Sustainment funding for the ground search and rescue national association.       714,000          604,500          714,000
International Association of Fire Fighters Canada The purpose of this contribution is to address a gap in training among fire fighters and contribute to interoperability among first responders.         500,000                           -          500,000
COSPAS-SARSAT Secretariat Contribution Program Assessed contribution program covering Canada’s share of the funding to the international organization to which Canada is Party to an international agreement.         190,000         68,000          272,000
Total Contributions 824,414,716 118,699,382  786,799,466
Total Listed in Main Estimates 858,170,860  139,374,274  817,057,567
Listed in Supplementary Estimates (A)
Supporting the Canadian Red Cross’s (CRC) urgent relief efforts related to COVID-19, floods and wildfires program(2) Provide funding to the CRC to enhance capacity and respond to emergencies related to COVID-19, floods and wildfires.   70,000,000    29,591,651    45,810,703
Total in Supplementary Estimates (A)   70,000,000    29,591,651     45,810,703
Total Grants and Contributions authority to date 928,170,860 168,965,925  862,868,270

Note (1): $59.4M for First Nations Policing Program and $1.6M for Drug-Impaired Driving will be transferred to the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) through the Supplementary Estimates C process, in March 2022.  This will reduce the Total Authority to $867.2M.

Note (2): An anticipated lapse of $24.2M for Supporting the Canadian Red Cross’s (CRC) urgent relief efforts related to COVID-19, floods and wildfires program will be returned to the Centre, as the program is within a Special Purpose Allotment (ie. fenced funding).

Other Pending Grants and Contributions Programs
TB Approved / Parliament approval through Supps B expected in December 2021 98,200,000                     - 83,200,000
Supporting a Humanitarian Workforce to Respond to COVID-19 and Other Large-Scale Emergencies Funding in support to the Red Cross and other non-governmental organizations in building and maintaining a humanitarian work force to provide surge capacity for COVID-19 outbreaks and large-scale emergencies.   83,200,000                      -    83,200,000
Building Safer Communities Fund This funding is to support municipalities and Indigenous governments in their efforts to address gun and gang prevalence by providing funding to put in place community led projects to combat gun and gang violence and address knowledge gaps concerning the impacts of interventions.   15,000,000                      -                 -

 

Fall Economic Statement Announcements
Fall Economic Statement Announcements
Communities at Risk: Security Infrastructure Program $13 million over 5 years and $2.6 million ongoing to protect communities at risk of hate-motivated crimes, by providing not-for-profit organizations such as places of worship, schools and community centres, with funding to enhance their security infrastructure.

 

Budget 2021 Announcements
Budget 2021 Announcements
Communities at Risk: Security Infrastructure Program $2 million in 2021-22. This funding was announced in response to the increase in reports of harassment and attacks against Asian Canadians.
Community Resilience Fund $8.2 million over three years, starting in 2021-22, for the Canada Centre for Community Engagement and Prevention of Violence to increase support and research for frontline initiatives and programming that prevent and counter radicalization to violence, including violent misogyny.
First Nations Policing Program Funding for First Nation and Inuit policing facilities Aboriginal Community Safety Development Contribution Program $861 million over five years, beginning in 2021-22, and $145 million ongoing(3), to support culturally responsive policing and community safety services in Indigenous communities. This includes:
  • $43.7 million over five years, beginning in 2021-22, to co-develop a legislative framework for First Nations policing that recognizes First Nations policing as an essential service.
  • $540.3 million over five years, beginning in 2021-22, and $126.8 million ongoing, to support Indigenous communities currently served under the First Nations Policing Program and expand the program to new Indigenous communities.
  • $108.6 million over five years, beginning in 2021-22, to repair, renovate, and replace policing facilities in First Nation and Inuit communities.
  • $64.6 million over five years, beginning in 2021-22, and $18.1 million ongoing, to enhance Indigenous-led crime prevention strategies and community safety services.
  • $103.8 million over five years, beginning in 2021-22, for a new Pathways to Safe Indigenous Communities Initiative to support Indigenous communities to develop more holistic community-based safety and wellness models.

Note (3): funding announced in Budget 2021 includes contributions funding as well as personnel, operating, and other costs in support of the program.

Other Pending Grants and Contributions Programs
Other Pending Grants and Contributions Programs
First Nations Policing Program $12.8 million over four years starting in 2021-22 to 2024-25 from the Section 35 Rights Funding Envelope to address policing obligations under the James Bay and Northern Quebec Agreement with the Cree Nation Government.
Canadian Red Cross agreement: 2021 BC Wildfires The Government of Canada and the Government of BC committed to match individual charitable donations to the CRC between July 3, 2021 and August 10, 2021 to support those affected by the wildfires. Donations are estimates at $4.6 million.
Ongoing program management/reporting
Ongoing program management/reporting
Shock Trauma Air Rescue Service Financial assistance through an up-front multiyear grant to renew the fleet with five air ambulance. $65 million provided up-front in 2019-20                     
Avalanche Canada Financial assistance through an up-front grant in the form of an endowment to stabilize and expand avalanche information systems.  $25 million provided up-front in 2018-19 
Canadian Red Cross agreement: 2016 Fort McMurray Wildfires The Government of Canada committed to match individual charitable donations to the CRC between May 3, 2016 and May 31, 2016 in support of the citizens impacted by the wildfires.  $104.46 million (payment issued to CRC)
Canadian Red Cross agreement: 2017 BC Wildfires The Government of Canada committed to match the provincial government of British Columbia’s financial support to its citizens impacted by the wildfires, through a donation to the CRC.  $38.5 million (payment issued to CRC)
Other Programs
Other programs
The funding was provided following a request for financial assistance from the Province of Quebec (QC) for the July 6, 2013 train derailment and explosion in Lac-Mégantic. The terms and conditions expired in March 2021 but the final payment is pending.  $120M in payments have been issued to province
This programs is not listed in Main Estimates since it does not have a fixed annual budget, the funding is provided by other contribution programs. The funding is to protect employees from the financial hardships associated with work-related injuries and occupational diseases.                           -                           -               350,000
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