Lake Winnipeg Basin Program funding

Funding

The Lake Winnipeg Basin Program (LWBP) provides funding to projects that support targeted, outcome-focused actions that address at least one of the three program priorities:

• Nutrient reduction: support targeted stakeholder delivered projects in the Lake Winnipeg Basin, in key geographic areas, that demonstrate an effective means to reduce phosphorus loading and increase public knowledge and engagement
• Collaborative governance: encourage and strengthen collaborative efforts to reduce nutrients throughout the Lake Winnipeg Basin
• Indigenous engagement: enhance opportunities, capacity and the engagement of Indigenous governments, organizations and communities on Lake Winnipeg Basin nutrient issue

Matching requirements

The LWBP aims to provide one-third of the total project costs, however, in some cases up to two-thirds of total project costs may be funded through the LWBP. Emphasis will be placed on leveraging other 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 proposal budget.

Eligibility

Eligible projects

An application-based process will be applied to fund targeted outcome-focused projects, implemented by domestic entities within the Canadian portion of the Lake Winnipeg Basin, addressing at least one of the following three program priorities:

• nutrient reduction
• collaborative governance
• Indigenous engagement

Nutrient reduction

The LWBP will provide financial support for targeted, stakeholder delivered projects in the Lake Winnipeg Basin that demonstrate an effective means in reducing phosphorus loading and increasing public knowledge and engagement.

We may provide funding to support 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
• implementation and evaluation of phosphorus recovery technologies in urban and/or rural settings
• development of innovative tools, technologies, techniques and demonstration projects to reduce phosphorus
• community-based monitoring programs to supplement existing water quality monitoring data
• identifying and applying Traditional Knowledge to address water quality issues within the Lake Winnipeg Basin
• scientific research to identify improved 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

While project submissions will be considered for funding for activities located anywhere within the Canadian portion of the Lake Winnipeg Basin, 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 (such as Red River Basin, Winnipeg River Basin)
• targeted at nutrient hot spots that have been identified through watershed plans or other planning tools (such as decision support tools or scientific modelling)
• implemented in areas directly contributing runoff to surface water bodies; and/or
• that implement the following nutrient and surface water reduction BMPs such as:
  • water retention structures (such as ponds, edge of field)
  • wetland restoration
  • management of vegetated buffers
  • intercepting and treating runoff from livestock confinement areas
  • relocating livestock confinement areas away from surface water bodies

Collaborative governance

The LWBP will provide financial support for projects that enhance collaborative efforts and increase capacity building to protect freshwater quality throughout the Lake Winnipeg Basin.

We may provide funding for projects that:

• develop tools, approaches and activities that strengthen collaboration
• 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

The LWBP will provide financial support for projects that increase Indigenous participation in decision making processes and actions regarding nutrient reduction activities to restore and protect Lake Winnipeg.

We may provide funding for 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
• activities required by law and/or mandated by a level of government
• capital or operating costs of municipal infrastructure projects (such as 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 any of the examples listed above or the eligibility of your project, please contact us 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, local governments and provincial and territorial crown corporations
• 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 that are attributed directly to carrying out the project (in accordance with the Treasury Board Secretariat’s Directives on Travel, Hospitality, Conference and Event Expenditures)
• 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 required to perform activities related to the project
• 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 any of the examples listed above, please contact us 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
• wetlands / aquatic habitat created, conserved or restored
• stream/lake bank protected or stabilized
• erosion control structures installed
• surface water run-off from land retained (e.g. retention ponds, small dams, edge-of-field retention)           
• wastewater treatment pilot technology / processes implemented / improved
• livestock restricted from surface waters 
• nutrient management plans developed / implemented
• community/landscape-based monitoring and citizen science activities
• knowledge transfer and sharing 
• outreach / communications / training
• collaborative opportunities (e.g. partnerships established)
• reports / papers compiled and published

Related links

• Projects funded by the Lake Winnipeg Basin Program

Contact us

Lake Winnipeg Basin Program
Environment and Climate Change Canada
150-123 Main Street
Winnipeg MB R3C 4W2
Email: LW.Info@ec.gc.ca