Indigenous Participation Fund: Consultation Supports Stream Grant

Indigenous Participation Fund: Consultation Supports Stream Grant

Status: ACTIVE
Funder: Ontario Government: Ministry of Energy, Northern Development and Mines
Amount: Up to C $130,000
Last Updated: March 25, 2026

Summary

The Aboriginal Participation Fund: Mineral Development Advisor (MDA) Stream supports Indigenous communities in Ontario by providing funding to enhance their participation in mineral regulatory processes. This program aims to improve knowledge of mineral development and exploration, facilitating informed community engagement in environmental assessments, closure plans, and permit applications. With a maximum funding of $130,000 per year for three years, it empowers communities to better navigate the complexities of mining activities and their potential economic benefits.

Overview

Note: Applications are accepted on an ongoing basis. Indigenous Participation Fund The Indigenous Participation Fund (IPF) provides funding to improve the capacity of Indigenous communities to participate in consultation related to mineral exploration and mine development, and economic opportunities associated with the minerals sector. Consultation Support Stream The consultation supports stream provides funding for salary costs for key staff positions and eligible activity costs, such as staff training and development, staff travel, facilities, equipment and meeting expenses and professional fees. This funding helps Indigenous communities build capacity to participate and respond to consultations about mineral exploration and mine development. Examples include: taking part in consultation led by a single ministry acting as the representative of the Crown in Right of Ontariotaking part in a coordinated multi-ministry consultation process to discuss matters related to Aboriginal and/or treaty rights This stream also helps increase community knowledge and understanding of the mineral development sequence including mineral exploration, development and mining activities and the related economic benefits. Greater awareness and knowledge will better equip communities to: participate in economic development activities that may ariseprovide informed recommendations to leadership on decisions related to mineral sector activities Mineral Development Advisor Any Indigenous community in Ontario whose credibly asserted or established Aboriginal and/or treaty rights have the potential to be adversely impacted by mineral activity, can apply for funding to support a Mineral Development Advisor. Mineral Sector Specialist Representative organizations may apply for funding to support a Mineral Sector Specialist. Examples of representative organizations include: Tribal councilsPolitical-Territorial OrganizationIndigenous Organization with Ontario-wide scope

Eligibility

We've imported the main document for this grant to give you an overview. You can learn more about this opportunity by visiting the funder's website. Ontario Aboriginal communities or organizations experiencing high mineral exploration and/or development activity can apply.Communities must have received 10 or more exploration plans and/or permit applications in the previous fiscal year (April 1 to March 31) to be eligible for funding. Communities that receive fewer than 10 exploration plan s and/or permit applications may be eligible for this stream if they are engaged in reviewing two or more closure plans, closure plan amendments, and/or mineral development-related environmental assessments. Eligible applicants may be:Single Applicants: Indigenous communities in areas of high mineral exploration and/or development activity; ORJoint Applicants: Aboriginal communities and organizations (e.g., tribal councils) in areas of high mineral exploration and/or development activity. Joint applicants must have the support of the communities they represent and a substantiated record of representing member communities on local lands and resources issues. Eligible joint applicants include:Two or more eligible communities, applying jointly with combined exploration activities orIn specific circumstances, and at the discretion of the ministry, other Aboriginal organizations, such as a Provincial-Territorial Organization (PTO), if they have the support of the communities they represent.Eligible expenses include:Salary wages and Mandatory Employer-Related Costs (MERCs) (Appendix B) Professional, consultant or other fees for technical expertise directly related to the project, if required Costs for introductory and advanced training, as well as costs associated with attending training for MDAs related to mineral exploration and developmentCommunity outreach for activities such as community meetings, presentations and workshopsCosts associated with meetings, site visits or honoraria to Elders on specific early exploration projects where those costs are not otherwise covered by the proponentEquipment purchase directly related to the project, such as office equipment (e.g., desks, chairs, printers, computers, software, etc.). These expenses may only be eligible in year one (1) of the negotiated Transfer Payment Contribution Agreement (TPCA).Costs related to administration such as space and equipment rental, utilities, telephone/fax charges, network charges, postage/courier charges, photocopying charges, financial institution service fees, software updates and office supplies.

Ineligibility

Applicants who have outstanding reporting and/or overpayment due to the Ministry of Energy, Northern Development and Mines (the Ministry) or any other known outstanding reporting and/or overpayment due to the Government of Ontario will not be evaluated for new funding, until such time as those matters are resolved.Ineligible expenses include:Any proposal that falls outside of the parameters of the program stream objectivesCosts related to any initiative that is already fully funded through other sources, including project-specific proponent costs and contributions, including in-kind and government funding programsHonoraria to individuals who are already receiving a salary from the applicant in another capacityCapital asset costs Business development costs Costs related to the Government of Canada’s consultation or engagement initiatives and/or costs related to other provinces’ consultation or engagement activitiesCosts related to research undertaken for the purposes of pursuing land claims or litigationLegal fees (beyond those directly related to the review of the Transfer Payment Contribution Agreement in year one).