Community Economic Opportunities Program

The Community Economic Opportunities Program provides project-based support to those First Nation and Inuit communities that have the best opportunities for public services in economic development.

Eligibility Criteria

Eligible recipients are First Nation and Inuit community organizations and other organizations they have mandated or designated to act on their behalf.

Eligible Activities

Eligible activities include:

• one-time projects for the employment of community members;
• development of community-owned and community member businesses;
• development of land and resources under community control;
• access to opportunities from land and resources beyond community control;
• promotion of community investment; and
• activities in research and advocacy.

Summary

What are the funding limits?

INAC provides funding to applicants whose proposals are judged to make the most effective use of the program budget. INAC’s funding is directly related to the community economic benefits and the need for funding that has been demonstrated in the application. It will not exceed $3 000 000. In addition, INAC funding will not exceed two-thirds of the total project cost for economic infrastructure projects or 80% of the total cost for all other projects. Recipients must provide at least 10% of eligible project expenditures.

What information is required?

Applications should address:

• project design, including description, objectives, scope and deliverables;
• uses and sources of funds;
• identification and justification of costs;
• management capacity;
• project organizational structure;
• administrative arrangements;
• time lines;
• community economic benefits; and
• where appropriate, compliance with laws and regulatory requirements, environmental effects, land tenure requirements, and operating, maintenance and repair plans.

Applicants may submit a brief Statement of Intent prior to submitting a full application. After reviewing the Statement of Intent, INAC will indicate whether the project meets program criteria, and will advise the applicant on the development of the full application.

How is the program delivered?

Applications are submitted to the INAC regional office or where applicable the Project Review Committee secretariat. Projects are reviewed and a funding decision is made. Where projects are approved, INAC enters into funding agreements with the applicant.

Applicants are encouraged to submit a brief Statement of Intent, prior to submitting a full application. After reviewing these Statements of Intent, INAC will indicate whether the project meets program criteria, and will advise the applicant on the development of the full application.

Alberta Contact(s):
Indian and Northern Affairs Canada
Room 630
Canada Place
9700 Jasper Avenue
Edmonton, Alberta  T5J 4G2
Telephone: (780) 495-2773
Fax: (780) 495-4088
E-mail: sawatzkyg@inac-ainc.gc.ca

British Columbia Contact(s):
Indian and Northern Affairs Canada
Suite 600
1138 Melville Street
Vancouver, British Columbia  V6E 4S3
Telephone: (604) 666-7891
Fax: (604) 775-7149
E-mail: guerinb@inac-ainc.gc.ca

Manitoba Contact(s):
Indian and Northern Affairs Canada
Room 200
365 Hargrave Street
Winnipeg, Manitoba  R3B 3A3
Telephone: (204) 983-4928
Fax: (204) 983-7820
E-mail: galbraithb@inac-ainc.gc.ca

New Brunswick Contact(s):
Atlantic Region
Indian and Northern Affairs Canada
40 Havelock Street
P.O. Box 160
Amherst, Nova Scotia  B4H 3Z3
Telephone: (902) 661-6200
Fax: (902) 661-6237
E-mail: hechavarrias@inac-ainc.gc.ca

Newfoundland & Labrador Contact(s):
Atlantic Region
Indian and Northern Affairs Canada
40 Havelock Street
P.O. Box 160
Amherst, Nova Scotia  B4H 3Z3
Telephone: (902) 661-6200
Fax: (902) 661-6237
E-mail: hechavarrias@inac-ainc.gc.ca

Northwest Territories Contact(s):
Indian and Northern Affairs Canada
4914 50th Street
P.O. Box 1500
Yellowknife, Northwest Territories  X1A 2R3
Telephone: (867) 669-2500
Fax: (867) 669-2711
E-mail: lakhania@inac-ainc.gc.ca

Nova Scotia Contact(s):
Atlantic Region
Indian and Northern Affairs Canada
40 Havelock Street
P.O. Box 160
Amherst, Nova Scotia  B4H 3Z3
Telephone: (902) 661-6200
Fax: (902) 661-6237
E-mail: hechavarrias@inac-ainc.gc.ca

Nunavut Contact(s):
Indian and Northern Affairs Canada
969 Qimugjuk Building
P.O. Box 2200
Iqaluit, Nunavut  X0A 0H0
Telephone: (867) 975-4500
Fax: (867) 975-4560
E-mail: bloorm@inac-ainc.gc.ca

Ontario Contact(s):
Indian and Northern Affairs Canada
8th Floor
25 St. Clair Avenue East
Toronto, Ontario  M4T 1M2
Telephone: (877) 388-4188
Fax: (416) 954-3189
E-mail: aldersonj@inac-ainc.gc.ca

Prince Edward Island Contact(s):
Atlantic Region
Indian and Northern Affairs Canada
40 Havelock Street
P.O. Box 160
Amherst, Nova Scotia  B4H 3Z3
Telephone: (902) 661-6200
Fax: (902) 661-6237
E-mail: hechavarrias@inac-ainc.gc.ca

Quebec Contact(s):
Indian and Northern Affairs Canada
Room 400
Place Jacques-Cartier Complex
320 St. Joseph Street East
Québec, Quebec  G1K 9J2
Telephone: (418) 648-7551
Fax: (418) 648-2266
Toll-free (information): 1-800-263-5592
E-mail: brouillettel@ainc-inac.gc.ca

Saskatchewan Contact(s):
Saskatchewan Region
Mr. Kim Biem
Indian and Northern Affairs Canada
Room 200
1 First Nations Way
Regina, Saskatchewan  S4S 7K5
Telephone: (306) 780-7110
Fax: (306) 780-6540
E-mail: biemk@inac.gc.ca

Yukon Contact(s):
Indian and Northern Affairs Canada
Room 345
300 Main Street
Whitehorse, Yukon  Y1A 2B5
Telephone: (867) 667-3305
Fax: (867) 667-3196
E-mail: bradleyc@inac-ainc.gc.ca or parkerc@inac-ainc.gc.ca