Details on transfer payment plans
Transfer payments to support the advancement of Northern science and technology
Start date: June 2015
End date: Ongoing
Type of transfer payment: Grant and contribution
Type of appropriation: Estimates
Fiscal year for terms and conditions: 2015-16
Link to departmental results:
- Canada’s polar science and technology research is publicly available and being applied
- Canada’s Arctic science includes Indigenous and local knowledge
- Canada fosters domestic and international knowledge exchange and partnerships in polar science and technology
- The next generation of Canadian polar researchers is developed
Link to the department’s program inventory: Science and Technology
Purpose and objectives of transfer payment program: The purpose of this Transfer Payment Program is to provide an integrated suite of grants and contributions that support Canadian Arctic science and technology for Polar Knowledge Canada. The contribution programs support project proposals that will help address specific aspects of Polar Knowledge Canada’s mandate, while the grant programs support student researchers, recognize significant achievement, and coordinate northern scientific university-related activities.
The provision of support to the advancement of Northern science and technology is essential to deliver on Polar Knowledge Canada’s mandated themes and the objective of Article 23 of the Nunavut Agreement “to increase Inuit participation in government employment in the Nunavut Settlement Area to a representative level. It is recognized that the achievement of this objective will require initiatives by Inuit and by Government.” To this end, Polar Knowledge Canada regularly uses multi-stakeholder review committees to engage Indigenous Peoples/groups and Northerners on the review of funding proposals.
Results achieved: In 2024-25, Polar Knowledge Canada provided 76 new transfer payments —26 contribution agreements and 50 grant agreements—totaling $4,504,922. The total value of these new agreements, over 3 years, will be $6,911,108, which will support the expected results under this transfer payment program. 50% of contributions and 16% of grants for Arctic or Northern research projects were led by an institute, government, or community organization located in the Arctic or Northern Canada.
Through this funding, Polar Knowledge Canada supported Indigenous organizations, students and academia, and Northern communities and governments. Projects focused on ecosystem and wildlife research, science capacity building through contributions, and education and training opportunities with grants and scholarships.
Findings of audits completed in 2024-25: As part of Polar Knowledge Canada’s ongoing oversight and accountability measures, an audit was conducted on a statistical random sample on funding recipients to assess compliance with reporting requirements and financial accountability. This audit included three recipients:
- Government of Yukon, Department of Environment – No concerns were identified from this audit.
- Queen’s University – The University was engaged to ensure the timely submission of reporting documents.
- Teslin Tlingit Council – This Indigenous recipient was selected at random; No concerns were identified from this audit, and the project is considered low risk.
All three audits were completed with no limitations in scope. The results for each recipient are as follows:
- Government of Yukon, Department of Environment – The audit confirmed that adequate financial controls were in place. However, it recommended that the recipient ensure all reports are submitted in accordance with the agreement requirements. Specifically, adhering to the reporting timelines outlined in the agreement.
- Queen’s University – The audit identified the need for improved accuracy in financial reporting. It was recommended that the principal investigator utilize the tools developed by the university’s Research Accounting Department to enhance the accuracy of financial information submitted. This recommendation has since been addressed, with financial reporting responsibilities now formally shifted to the Research Accounting Department.
- Teslin Tlingit Council – The audit revealed no concerns. A clean audit was issued, and no recommendations were identified.
Findings of evaluations completed in 2024-25: No evaluations were completed in 2024-25.
Engagement of applicants and recipients in 2024-25: Applicants were engaged through targeted and open solicitations. Polar Knowledge Canada has a variety of engagement initiatives, including but not limited to in-person meetings, webinars, phone calls, and emails, which are used as part of the regular competition cycle. This provides ongoing opportunities for applicants and recipients to seek and receive information, and to offer feedback on service delivery.
Polar Knowledge Canada monitors recipient compliance with the terms of active funding agreements through review of financial and project progress reports that are submitted in accordance with the approved project reporting plan. Polar Knowledge Canada seeks to promote collaboration between the agency and recipients.
Financial information (dollars)
| Type of transfer payment |
2022-23 actual spending |
2023-24 actual spending |
2024-25 planned spending |
2024-25 total authorities available for use |
2024-25 actual spending (authorities used) |
Variance (2024-25 actual minus 2024-25 planned) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Total grants | 1,348,453 | 1,356,000 | 1,356,000 | 1,356,000 | 1,356,000 | 0 |
| Total contributions | 6,039,690 | 5,990,216 | 6,040,000 | 6,318,681 | 6,318,681 | 278,681 |
| Total other types of transfer payments | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Total program | 7,388,143 | 7,346,216 | 7,396,000 | 7,674,681 | 7,674,681 | 278,681 |
Explanation of variances
There is no significant variance between the actual versus planned spending.
Transfer payments to support research and activities relating to the polar regions
Start date: June 2015
End date: Ongoing
Type of transfer payment: Grant
Type of appropriation: Estimates
Fiscal year for terms and conditions: 2015-16
Link to departmental results:
- Canada’s polar science and technology research is publicly available and being applied
- Canada’s Arctic science includes Indigenous and local knowledge
- Canada fosters domestic and international knowledge exchange and partnerships in polar science and technology
- The next generation of Canadian polar researchers is developed
Link to the department’s program inventory: Knowledge Management and Engagement
Purpose and objectives of transfer payment program: The program aims to strengthen awareness and understanding of Arctic and Antarctic research, increase coordination and collaboration among the polar research community, and strengthen the next generation of polar researchers and highly qualified personnel, especially northern youth.
Results achieved: In 2024-25 Polar Knowledge Canada provided 14 transfer payments totalling $400,000 in support of the expected results under this transfer payment program.
Through this program, Polar Knowledge Canada strengthened Canada’s leadership in circumpolar research by funding and providing support for Canadian researchers, early career researchers, and Indigenous and Traditional knowledge holders. The research funded by the program focused on climate change research, permafrost thaw, landscape scale carbon transport, storage and release, among others. In addition, the Government of the Northwest Territories (GNWT) was supported for the delivery of a youth focussed 10-day Tundra Science and Culture Camp at the Daring Lake Tundra Experimental Research Station north of Yellowknife along with staff from GNWT Environment and Climate Change and Tlicho elders. This camp focused on Tlicho traditional skills, activities such as meat and fish drying, human history, geoscience, wildlife biology, tundra plants, permafrost, and aquatic life.
Polar Knowledge Canada’s transfer payment programs complement the agency’s own knowledge management and mobilization, outreach and capacity-building activities to further key objectives and support polar science, research, and knowledge results.
Findings of audits completed in 2024-25: No audits were completed in 2024-25.
Findings of evaluations completed in 2024-25: No evaluations were completed in 2024-25.
Engagement of applicants and recipients in 2024-25: Applicants were engaged through the Polar Knowledge Canada website’s information on research funding opportunities, as well as through northern engagement outreach and open solicitations among Northern and Indigenous communities, Territorial Governments, and academic research organizations, among others. Polar Knowledge Canada uses a variety of engagement initiatives throughout the competition cycle, including but not limited to website postings, in-person meetings, webinars, phone calls, and emails. This provides ongoing opportunities for applicants and recipients to seek and receive information, and to offer feedback on service delivery.
Polar Knowledge Canada monitors recipient compliance with the terms of active funding agreements through review of financial and project progress reports that are submitted in accordance with the approved project reporting plan. Polar Knowledge Canada seeks to promote collaboration between the agency and recipients.
Financial information (dollars)
| Type of transfer payment |
2022-23 actual spending |
2023-24 actual spending |
2024-25 planned spending |
2024-25 total authorities available for use |
2024-25 actual spending (authorities used) |
Variance (2024-25 actual minus 2024-25 planned) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Total grants | 395,179 | 400,000 | 400,000 | 400,000 | 400,000 | 0 |
| Total contributions | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Total other transfer payments | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Total program | 395,179 | 395,179 | 400,000 | 400,000 | 400,000 | 0 |
Explanation of variances
There is no significant variance between the planned and actual spending for 2024-25.