Funding freshwater action in the Wolastoq/Saint John River watershed

Announcement

The application submission period for funding under the Wolastoq/Saint John River Freshwater Ecosystem Initiative is now closed.
Please contact us by email at wolastoqsaintjean-wolastoqsaintjohn@cwa-aec.gc.ca 
for more information.

Overview

As part of the Federal Freshwater Action Plan, the Government of Canada is taking action to restore and protect freshwater ecosystems of national significance through Freshwater Ecosystem Initiatives. The Wolastoq/Saint John River Freshwater Ecosystem Initiative will provide financial support for eligible projects that will improve the water quality and ecological health of the Wolastoq/Saint John River Watershed.

The Call for Application for projects starting in the 2025-2026 fiscal year is now closed.

Eligibility

Eligible projects

The Wolastoq/Saint John River Freshwater Ecosystem Initiative will fund projects to be implemented by domestic partners in the Canadian portion (Quebec/New Brunswick) of the Wolastoq/Saint John River watershed that address at least one of the following three program priorities:

1.   Nutrient Reduction: Projects will implement actions to reduce nutrient loading and increase public awareness and engagement on water quality protection.

Types of projects to be funded include:

2.   Advancing Science and Knowledge: Projects will increase the knowledge and scientific understanding in either of the following two areas of focus:

OR

Types of projects to be funded include:

3.   Indigenous Knowledge, Capacity Building and Engagement: Projects will support Indigenous-led efforts to increase knowledge of water quality issues and/or build the capacity of Indigenous organizations and communities to address water quality issues.

Types of projects to be funded include:

Projects not eligible for funding

The following types of projects are not eligible for funding under the Wolastoq/Saint John River Freshwater Ecosystem Initiative:

Eligible applicants

Canadian-based organizations are eligible to apply and include:

Although business/industry, federal, and provincial governments are not eligible funding recipients, they are encouraged to partner with applicants on projects.

Eligible project costs

The following project costs are eligible:

Funding details

Projects are eligible for funding up to a maximum of $200,000 per project. Projects can be single or multi-year in nature but must be completed within three fiscal years (for example, projects starting in 2025/26 must be completed by March 31, 2028).

Projects that are not funded can be re-submitted through a future call for applications.

Matching requirements

At least 30% of the total project funding must be obtained from sources other than the Government of Canada. Employment support programs within Employment and Social Development Canada and programs for Indigenous peoples within Indigenous Services Canada are exempt from this requirement. Other sources of funding may be in the form of cash or in-kind contributions, or a combination of both.

In-kind support may include donations of:

The maximum level (stacking limit) of total Canadian Government assistance (federal, provincial, territorial and municipal assistance for the same eligible expenditures) for projects will not exceed 100% of the total eligible expenditures of a project. Applicants should declare prospective sources of funding for the project including federal, provincial, territorial, municipal and other sources of funding in their application.

Geographic location

Projects must take place within the Canadian portion of the Wolastoq / Saint John River Watershed (Quebec or New Brunswick).

Performance Indicators

Applicants are required to report on one or more of the key performance indicators from the list below. It is recommended that groups report on all indicators that apply to the project, and explain how the target numbers were calculated.

Evaluation Criteria

Eligible applications will be assessed against, but not limited to, the following criteria:

Application process

Applicants must submit their project proposal using the Grants and Contributions Enterprise Management System (GCEMS), Environment and Climate Change Canada’s (ECCC) online application system. The Applicant Guide is available in GCEMS. Applicants are encouraged to register in GCEMS in advance of the call for application deadline to view the Applicant Guide and begin their application.

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 proposals. Visit:

For technical assistance when using GCEMS, contact the GCEMS team directly at:

Selection process

The Wolastoq/Saint John River Freshwater Ecosystem Initiative project funding decisions will be based on a merit-based competitive process. Completed applications will undergo a three-stage review process:

  1. Administrative review by program staff to confirm eligibility (projects considered not eligible will be notified at the end of this stage).
  2. Technical review by subject-matter experts to evaluate scientific and technical feasibility, including methodology.
  3. An Application Review Committee will ensure that program priorities and criteria are considered in the project evaluation and approval process.

Notification and reporting requirements

Upon departmental decisions, all applicants (both successful and unsuccessful) will be notified in writing. If your project application submission is approved, you will be contacted to negotiate a Contribution Agreement, which outlines the terms and conditions of funding. Federal Members of Parliament and/or their team may be advised about the approval of a project and may be provided with information in the project application, including applicant’s name, project title, project description, project location, funding amounts, and contact information.

Funding is conditional on the successful negotiation of a Contribution Agreement between the applicant and the CWA.  

Each Contribution Agreement must include written confirmation of all funding sources, a summary of project design, delivery, progress evaluations, and anticipated results, as well as a budget forecast. All of these components must be accurately completed before the agreement can be signed.

All approved recipients are required to submit reports to CWA throughout the duration of the project as outlined in the Contribution Agreement. Payments are based on reporting and cannot be made until a report has been submitted, reviewed, and approved by a CWA project officer.

Once a project has finished, a final report is required. The final payment will not be provided (minimum 10% holdback) until a final report has been submitted, reviewed, and approved by CWA.

Contact us

If you have questions about the Wolastoq/Saint John River Freshwater Ecosystem Initiative, please email us at: wolastoqsaintjean-wolastoqsaintjohn@cwa-aec.gc.ca

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