2023-24 Departmental Results Report: Up-front multi-year funding
General information on up‑front multi‑year funding to Green Municipal Fund (GMF)
Recipient information: Green Municipal Fund (GMF). For more information, please visit the Green Municipal Fund site.
Start date: February 2000
End date: Ongoing
Link to department’s Program Inventory: Clean Growth and Climate Change Mitigation
Purpose and objectives of transfer payment: Between 2000 and 2018, the Government of Canada endowed the Federation of Canadian Municipalities (FCM) with $675M in funding to administer a revolving fund for grants, loans, and loan guarantees to encourage investment in municipal environmental projects. As per Budget 2019, the Government of Canada transferred an additional $950M to FCM for GMF. As of January 1, 2023, the total amount transferred from the Government of Canada for the GMF amounted to $1.625B.
In April 2024, the Government of Canada transferred an additional $530M to the GMF, bringing the total invested to $2.155B. This funding is related to Canada’s National Adaptation Strategy. Programs under this additional investment will consist of Climate-Ready Plans and Processes ($130M), Adaptation in Action ($227M), and Financing Adaptation ($173M).
The GMF was established to have a positive impact on the health and the quality of life of Canadians by reducing greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and tackling the effects of climate change, improving local air, water, and soil quality, and promoting renewable energy and energy efficiency by supporting feasibility studies, pilot projects and capital projects within the municipal sector. The GMF also undertakes capacity building activities and programs.
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% of eligible costs available for capital projects with additional funding available in exceptional circumstances under some sub-programs.
As stipulated in the GMF funding agreement between the FCM and the Government of Canada, the FCM has created two advisory bodies: the Green Municipal Fund Council (GMF Council) and the Peer Review Committee. The GMF Council’s role is to assist the FCM Board of Directors–the GMF decision-making body–in approving projects proposed by municipalities. The 18-member GMF Council includes six federal members: two from ECCC, two from Natural Resources Canada (NRCan), one from Infrastructure Canada, and one from the Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC). All ECCC members are appointed by the FCM Board of Directors based on recommendations from the Minister of Environment and Climate Change.
The GMF Peer Review Committee comprises 75 members, of which 20 are Government of Canada representatives (10 from ECCC; 10 from NRCan).
There are no repayable contributions.
Audit findings by the recipient during the reporting year, and future plan: As mandated by the funding agreement between the FCM and Canada, a review and performance audit of the GMF is required every five years. The last Five-Year Review and Performance Audit of the GMF covered the period from April 1, 2014, to March 31, 2019. The next Five-Year Review and Performance Audit is scheduled to be carried out later this year.
Evaluation findings by the recipient during the reporting year, and future plan: A Government of Canada evaluation of the GMF was undertaken in 2023-24 and led by NRCan. The evaluation recommendations were as follows:
- To enhance communication with the GMF to increase complementarity and reduce duplication between the GMF and federal programs; and
- To review the federal government’s needs for results information aligned with the requirements of the most recent funding agreement and to communicate these to the GMF to encourage continual improvement of performance reporting.
Summary of results achieved by the recipient: The GMF approved 137 pilot projects & feasibility for $17.1M in grant funding. GMF approved 31 capital projects for $47.6M in grant funding and $116.1M in loans. GMF disbursed $78M in funding for previously approved projects.
Total funding approved (dollars): In April 2024 an up-front multi-year payment was made to GMF to fund Local Leadership for Climate Adaptation (LLCA), which comprises Climate-Ready Plans and Processes in the amount of $130M; Adaptation in Action in the amount of $227M; and Financing Adaptation in the amount of $173M.
Total funding received (dollars): $530M as outlined above
Financial information (dollars):
Planned spending in 2023–24: Not applicable (N/A) – The GMF does not set official and public targets for funding allocation.
Total authorities available for use in 2023–24: N/A – Financial information regarding the GMF is expected to be outlined in the GMF’s 2023-24 Annual Report which is expected to be published in Fall 2024.
Actual spending (authorities used) in 2023–24: N/A – Amount is pending confirmation by the GMF’s 2023-24 Annual Report, expected to be published in Fall 2024.
Variance (2023–24 actual minus 2023–24 planned): N/A – Amount is pending confirmation by the GMF’s 2023-24 Annual Report, expected to be published in Fall 2024.
Explanation of variance: N/A – Amount is pending confirmation by the GMF’s 2023-24 Annual Report, expected to be published in Fall 2024.
General information on up‑front multi‑year funding to Clayoquot Biosphere Trust (CBT)
Recipient information: Clayoquot Biosphere Trust (CBT). For more information, please visit the Clayoquot Biosphere Trust site.
Start date: February 2000
End date: Ongoing
Link to department’s Program Inventory: Water Quality and Ecosystems Partnerships
Purpose and objectives of transfer payment: Creation of an endowment fund for the CBT, which is the cornerstone of the Clayoquot Sound United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (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. There are no repayable contributions.
Audit findings by the recipient during the reporting year, and future plan: An independent financial audit of CBT is completed annually. No concerns were identified.
Evaluation findings by the recipient during the reporting year, and future plan: Per paragraph 10 in the Annex of the Canada Fund Agreement, at each annual general meeting, the Executive Director will report on program accomplishments for the reporting year and expected outcomes for the upcoming year.
Program accomplishments are detailed in the next section, “Summary results achieved by the recipient.”
With respect to future plans, the CBT will focus on the following objectives and deliverables for 2024-25:
- Deliver a range of grants for regional initiatives in the areas of research and environment, arts and culture, community development, youth and education, and conservation research;
- Host several Vital Conversations and communicate the 2023 Vital Signs report to local partners including residents, employers, networks, and governments;
- Proceed with the development of the Biosphere Centre, a social-purpose, mixed-use building to serve as a permanent office for the CBT and a regional hub for communities, organizations, and researchers;
- Host two regional stewardship and restoration forums with a focus on environmental research, stewardship, restoration, and sustainable development;
- Support Indigenous-led stewardship and restoration projects that meaningfully contribute to the conservation of biodiversity; and
- Seek climate action training and build partnerships towards creating a climate action statement, plan, or program at the regional scale.
Summary of results achieved by the recipient:
- Delivered 119 grants for regional initiatives in the areas of research and environment, arts and culture, community development, youth and education, and conservation research for a total value of almost $1M.
- Published the 2023 Vital Signs report and presented the report to local partners including residents, employers, networks, and governments.
- Completed the design of the Clayoquot Sound Biosphere Centre - a social-purpose, mixed-use building to serve as a permanent office for the CBT and a regional hub for communities, organizations, and researchers and sought capital funding for the $15M project.
- Installed new wayfinding and interpretive signage communicating the significance of the UNESCO Biosphere designation to locals and visitors.
- Facilitated the first regional forum bringing together over 65 representatives from First Nations, local governments, organizations, businesses, and individuals involved in environmental research, stewardship, restoration, and sustainable development to build relationships, share information, and support collaboration.
- Hosted the first BC Biosphere Gathering in person with the Mount Arrowsmith and Atl’ka7tsem/Howe Sound Biosphere Regions to listen, discuss, and build relationships.
- Co-developed stewardship and restoration projects with First Nations that meaningfully contribute to biodiversity conservation within the Biosphere Region and leveraged project funding.
Total funding approved (dollars): $12M
Total funding received (dollars): $12M (in 2000)
Financial information (dollars):
Planned spending in 2023–24: $0
Total authorities available for use in 2023–24: $0
Actual spending (authorities used) in 2023–24: $0
Variance (2023–24 actual minus 2023–24 planned): $0
Explanation of variance: Not applicable