Lake Winnipeg Basin Program funding
The application submission period for funding under the Lake Winnipeg Basin Program is now closed.
Please contact us by email at LakeWinnipegInfo-LacWinnipeginfo@cwa-aec.gc.ca for more information.
Funding
Funding is available through the Lake Winnipeg Basin Program (LWBP) between April 1, 2025 and March 31, 2028 to support outcome-focused actions that address program priorities.
Projects that support on the ground implementation of practices that reduce or mitigate phosphorus loading are only eligible for one year of funding.
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 program priorities:
Nutrient Reduction:
Projects that support efforts in the Lake Winnipeg Basin to reduce phosphorus loading to the lake and increase engagement on water quality protection.
The LWBP may fund the following types of projects:
Action Projects:
- implementation of beneficial management practices (BMPs), known to reduce phosphorus loading in key high contributing geographic areas
Priority will be given to projects:
- located within a Lake Winnipeg sub-basin known to be a significant source of nutrient loading to Lake Winnipeg (eg. Red River Basin)
- targeted at nutrient hot spots that have been identified through watershed plans or other planning tools (eg. decision support tools or scientific modelling) and/or
- 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
- implementation and management of vegetated buffers
- wastewater and feedlot run-off capture and management
- relocating livestock confinement areas away from surface water bodies
Science and Innovation Projects:
- research to improve nutrient management practices and/or the effectiveness of BMPs in sub-watersheds
- development, testing and/or demonstration of innovative tools, technologies and techniques to reduce phosphorus
Knowledge Mobilization Projects:
- training, outreach and/or education to support the implementation of nutrient reducing actions
- Community-Based Monitoring programs which supplement existing water quality monitoring data
- enabling processes that support science-based decision making to guide efforts at various scales to protect Lake Winnipeg (e.g. adaptive management frameworks)
- traditional Knowledge to address water quality and nutrient loading issues within the Lake Winnipeg Basin
Indigenous Engagement:
Projects that enhance opportunities, capacity and the participation of Indigenous governments, organizations and communities on freshwater quality issues in the Lake Winnipeg Basin.
The LWBP 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
Projects NOT eligible for funding
- projects that are focused solely on water quantity issues
- projects designed only to beautify an area
- the purchase or construction of municipal infrastructure such as buildings, roads, and bridges
- the purchase of land
- projects 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)
- projects implemented and completed before a contribution agreement was signed
- projects implemented outside of Canada
Please note this is not a complete list. If you are unsure about the eligibility of your project, please contact LakeWinnipegInfo-LacWinnipeginfo@cwa-aec.gc.ca for clarification.
Eligible applicants
- domestic not-for-profit organizations, such as charitable and volunteer organizations, professional associations, and non-governmental organizations
- domestic Indigenous organizations, governments, boards, commissions, communities, associations and authorities
- domestic research, academic, and educational institutions
- 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 project costs
- human resource costs, including salaries and benefits
- management and professional service costs such as accounting, monitoring, communications, official language translation, audit and legal charges
- hospitality, travel and venues/conference expenses (in accordance with the Treasury Board Secretariat’s Directives on Travel, Hospitality, Conference and Event Expenditures)
- hospitality expenditures can include costs related to Indigenous ceremonial offerings to be utilized or consumed during meetings or ceremonies such as traditional medicines, cultural foods, tea and sacred plants
- costs associated with an Indigenous participation or ceremony
- monetary Honoraria offered to Indigenous Elders and/or Knowledge Keepers related to specific participation activities which may include but not be limited to translation and interpretative costs, leading a traditional opening/closing ceremony and/or prayer, the sharing of traditional knowledge and protocols, (including spiritual advice to individuals), and demonstrating traditional art and other practices
- materials 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 required to perform activities related to the project
- costs associated with land securement (e.g. leases, conservation easements, covenants or servitudes)
- a reasonable share (15% or less) of overhead and/or administrative costs which are directly attributable to the carrying out of the project; and
- any GST/HST that is not reimbursable by Canada Revenue Agency and any PST not reimbursable by the provinces
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 LakeWinnipegInfo-LacWinnipeginfo@cwa-aec.gc.ca for clarification.
Performance Indicators
Applicants will be asked to identify the performance indicators that apply to their project and provide the expected goal for each. At least one performance indicator must be identified to be eligible for funding. The list of performance indicators for the LWBP are:
- Amount of phosphorus reduced/diverted (kg/year)
- Wetlands / aquatic habitat created, conserved or restored (# of hectares)
- Stream/lake bank protected or stabilized (# of metres)
- Erosion control structures installed (# of structures)
- Surface water run-off retained on land e.g. retention ponds, small dams, edge-of-field retention (# of cubic metres of water retained/stored)
- Wastewater treatment pilot technology / processes implemented / improved (# of treatment facilities)
- Livestock restricted from surface waters (# of livestock)
- Community/Landscape-based monitoring and Citizen Science Activities (# of participants/# of evaluation or monitoring sites)
- Knowledge Transfer and Sharing (# of presentations, meetings, or knowledge sharing opportunities)
- Outreach/Communications/Training (# of activities/# of people engaged/types of materials produced, # of materials produced per type)
- Collaborative Opportunities (# of partnerships established)
- Reports/papers compiled and published (# of reports/papers)
Permits and Federal Lands
Applicants are responsible for conducting the necessary research to determine if laws or mandates apply to any of the activities listed in the application. It is recommended that applicants verify relevant federal, provincial/territorial, and municipal legislation and regulations relating to the project’s activities and/or location(s).
Permits
If permits or authorizations are required for the project, these must be identified in the application. If not yet obtained, ensure the timeline for obtaining these approvals is included in the project’s work plan.
Federal Lands
Applicants must review the project locations and activities and determine if any activities will occur on federal lands. Projects occurring on federal lands may be required to complete an Impact Assessment.
According to the Impact Assessment Act, federal lands are defined as:
a) lands that belong to His Majesty in right of Canada, or that His Majesty in right of Canada has the power to dispose of, and all waters on and airspace above those lands, other than lands under the administration and control of the Commissioner of Yukon, the Northwest Territories or Nunavut;
b) the following lands and areas:
i. the internal waters of Canada, in any area of the sea not within a province;
ii. the territorial sea of Canada, in any area of the sea not within a province;
iii. the exclusive economic zone of Canada;
iv. the continental shelf of Canada; and,
c) reserves, surrendered lands and any other lands that are set apart for the use and benefit of a band and that are subject to the Indian Act, and all waters on and airspace above those reserves or lands.
Application Process
Applicants must submit their application using the Grants and Contributions Enterprise Management System (GCEMS), Environment and Climate Change Canada’s (ECCC) online application system.
Note: The online application system (GCEMS) is shared between CWA and ECCC. References to ECCC in the system apply to both organizations.
It is strongly recommended that applicants complete the budget in GCEMS 24 hours prior to the deadline to allow sufficient time to resolve any errors. If an application is not submitted by the deadline, it will not be considered.
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@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.
Activity Category | Description | Expected Results | Start Date | End Date | % of Budget |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Other | Site Assessment | Sites will be assessed to determine best location(s); site(s) will be selected | June 2025 | June 2025 | 10% |
Other | Construction - retention pond | 1 acre of water will be retained | July 2025 | August 2025 | 35% |
Other | Construction - exclusion fencing | Exclusion fencing installed for 100 livestock | July 2025 | August 2025 | 35% |
Other | Evaluation - water quality sampling | Pre and post project water quality samples will be taken, in consultation with technical advisors from the province; 5 samples taken 4 times throughout the year | June 2025 | Nov 2025 | 10% |
Other | Consultation | Consultation with landowners | June 2025 | March 2026 | 5% |
Other | Communication - dissemination of results | Distribution of final report to stakeholders; information presented at conference / event Publication printed in both Official Languages |
March 2026 | March 2026 | 5% |
Total | 100% |
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.
Eligible projects will be evaluated on the quality and completeness of the 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 application 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
Contact us
Lake Winnipeg Basin Program
Canada Water Agency
510 -234 Donald Street
Winnipeg, Manitoba R3C 1M8
Email: LakeWinnipegInfo-LacWinnipeginfo@cwa-aec.gc.ca
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