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Solid waste management in Canadian municipalities: A snapshotExpanding responsibility for producers to include the post-consumer stage of their products is a key solution for financial and environmental sustainability in the waste sector. That’s one finding of this Green Municipal Fund (GMF) report highlighting waste sector trends, key factors affecting municipalities’ ability to drive change, and best practices with economic, social and environmental benefits.

This snapshot focuses on practices that fall into four categories:

  • circular economy approaches
  • new technologies
  • integrated solid waste programming
  • mandatory and economic instruments

The City of Beaconsfield, QC provides an example of the last category. They piloted a highly successful pay-as-you-throw (PAYT) waste collection system that allows people to choose a smaller bin or less frequent pick-up and save money in the process. The results: 50 percent less landfill waste and cost savings of 40 percent to the municipality.

In addition to the emphasis on extended producer responsibility (EPR), the report draws several other conclusions, including:

  • Global partnerships among large municipalities will continue to drive change.
  • Organics diversion is becoming more mainstream and has the potential for significant emission reductions.
  • Public awareness and targeted education in the industrial, commercial and institutional (ICI) sector can facilitate success with new projects.

Find more details, examples and conclusions in the report.

About the Green Municipal Fund

The Green Municipal Fund is a $1 billion program, delivered by the Federation of Canadian Municipalities and funded by the Government of Canada. Through its unique mix of training, resources and funding, GMF fuels local initiatives that build better lives for millions of Canadians while tackling pressing environmental and climate challenges.

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Your wastewater system could be an untapped source of local energy. Wastewater energy transfer (WET) recovers thermal energy from wastewater and sewer systems for local use. Municipalities can explore this approach to help reduce energy costs, build more resilient infrastructure and lower emissions.

Join the Green Municipal Fund (GMF) and the Canadian Water Network (CWN) on Thursday, November 5, at 2 p.m. ET for the Turning wastewater into a source of clean energy webinar. CWN will explain how WET can complement district energy systems and thermal energy network upgrades. You will also learn how to assess local opportunities and incorporate heat recovery into long-term wastewater infrastructure planning.

The session will highlight how GMF funding can help municipalities take their next steps.

What you’ll learn:

  • Understand how WET recovers thermal energy from wastewater for local use.
  • Identify potential wastewater heat recovery opportunities in your community.
  • Explore practical considerations for assessing feasibility.
  • Learn how to connect WET with district energy systems and long-term infrastructure planning.
  • Discover how GMF funding can support your next steps.

Speakers: 

  • Bret Collins, Municipal Decarbonization Program Advisor, Canadian Water Network
  • Dana Mears, Project Manager, Urban Water Decarbonization, Canadian Water Network

This webinar is a collaboration between FCM’s Green Municipal Fund, funded by the Government of Canada, and the Canadian Water Network. CWN is a national thought leader for Canadian water utilities and advances knowledge of wastewater energy transfer across Canada.

The webinar will take place in English with simultaneous interpretation in French.

Register now

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Grants are an important tool for municipal climate adaptation, but they aren’t the only way to move critical projects forward. When budgets or funding cycles don’t align with local adaptation needs, other financing options may offer another path forward.

Join this introductory session to explore non-grant financing options that can help local governments support their climate adaptation priorities. You’ll hear from municipalities at different stages of the journey and gain a private-sector perspective on the financing process, including common challenges, emerging opportunities and what municipalities can expect as they begin exploring their options.  

What you’ll learn

  • The fundamentals of financing adaptation and financing models that can support adaptation projects.
  • How private capital and repayable financing work alongside traditional funding.  private capital and repayable financing work alongside traditional funding.  
  • What makes a project financeable and what private investors look for in a municipal adaptation project.
  • Real-world lessons, barriers and takeaways from municipalities at different stages of the financing journey.  

This webinar is designed for municipal staff working in climate and sustainability, finance, infrastructure and asset management, or planning. Elected officials and others interested in learning more about financing adaptation may also benefit from the session. Whether you’re new to the topic or have already started exploring options beyond grants, you’ll gain insights to help you take the next step.

Speakers:

  • Yann Graneau, Consultant, Sustainability Solutions Group
  • Yuill Herbert, Principal, Sustainability Solutions Group  
  • Troy Tripp, Director of Finance, City of Brandon
  • Emma Wattie, Manager, Environment, Halifax Regional Municipality
  • Lo Cheng, Advisor, The Co-operators Resilience Acceleration Lab

The webinar will be delivered in English with simultaneous French interpretation (SI). 

Register now

Event Details

Location
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Looking for ways to advance your climate adaptation work? Our virtual workshops connect you with experienced Adaptation in Action coaches who can help you plan, design and deliver stronger, more equitable adaptation projects.

Each session focuses on a specific challenge local governments and Indigenous communities may encounter when designing and implementing climate adaptation projects, such as engaging community members, integrating equity considerations, strengthening project planning and implementation, or exploring engineering and nature-positive solutions.  

Submit your questions via the registration form about a climate adaptation project you're working on and get practical guidance from Adaptation in Action coaches. Sessions will explore questions submitted by participants, along with common challenges and opportunities identified by GMF's Funding and Outreach teams through their work with municipalities.

Whether or not you submit a question, you'll learn from real-world questions and experiences from municipalities across Canada and gain practical approaches to help move climate adaptation projects from ideas to action.

Submit your question by 9 a.m. ET on Monday, October 26, for the best chance of having it included in the session. Questions submitted after this date may still be considered.

Questions should relate to the design or implementation of a municipal climate adaptation project. Questions may be edited for clarity, combined with similar submissions or omitted to keep the discussion relevant to a broad municipal audience.

Each 1-hour session is free. Municipal staff are welcome to attend more than one session based on their project needs and interests.

Explore upcoming climate adaptation workshops

equity icon

Theme 1: Equitable and inclusive engagement

These sessions explore ways to make your climate adaptation work inclusive, culturally informed and grounded in meaningful community participation. You’ll learn approaches for advancing Reconciliation, building trust, strengthening relationships, applying equity principles, working respectfully with Indigenous communities, and turning community input into clear adaptation actions.  

These sessions emphasize how to meaningfully involve community members, integrate diverse perspectives and ensure your climate adaptation work is inclusive from the outset. 

Inclusive engagement through dialogue 

Date: Thursday, November 12, 2026

Time: 12:00 p.m. ET

Facilitator: SFU Centre for Dialogue

Register for this session

This session explores dialogue-based approaches to inclusive decision-making and how participatory engagement can strengthen trust, build relationships, and support collaborative climate adaptation implementation. 

What you’ll gain:

  • Identify meaningful opportunities for participatory, inclusive decision-making.
  • Understand how dialogue shifts engagement from transactional to relational and fosters collective action.
  • Build skills to enhance accessibility, address participation barriers and navigate complex conversations.
Anti-Racism, equity and inclusion  

Date: Tuesday, November 10, 2026

Time: 3:00 p.m. ET 

Facilitator: Inclusive Kind

Register for this session 

This session explores how anti-racism, equity and inclusion (AREI) connect to municipal climate adaptation work and offers practical approaches for building buy-in, strengthening inclusive engagement and applying an equity-informed lens across projects and processes.

What you’ll gain:

  • Understand how AREI principles relate to climate adaptation across municipal roles.
  • Explore foundational AREI concepts and identify opportunities for authentic buy-in.
  • Apply equity-informed approaches to data collection and use.
  • Identify simple actions to begin integrating a AREI lens in your own projects.
Indigenous knowledge and engagement methods

Date: Tuesday, November 10, 2026

Time: 10:30 a.m. ET

Facilitator: 4 Directions of Conservation

Register for this session 

This session explores how Indigenous rights, values and knowledge can inform equitable climate adaptation. It offers practical guidance for building respectful, reciprocal relationships with Indigenous Nations and communities. 

What you’ll gain:

  • Understand how Indigenous rights, values and knowledge inform climate adaptation.
  • Combine Indigenous and Western knowledge to support project scoping, assessment and decision-making.
  • Strengthen engagement methods with Indigenous communities, including early and ongoing involvement, relational approaches, and respect for Indigenous governance, knowledge sovereignty and ways of knowing. 

 

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Theme 2: Technical and strategic implementation

These sessions focus on strengthening your technical foundations and project management skills to plan and deliver effective climate adaptation projects. You’ll explore practical tools and frameworks to improve project management and integrate nature-based solutions. 

Project management for climate adaptation  

Date: Thursday, November 12, 2026

Time: 3:00 p.m. ET

Facilitator: Tamarack Institute

Register for this session  

This session explores practical approaches to planning and delivering climate adaptation initiatives within municipal organizations. Participants will learn about practical techniques to strengthen project management and team collaboration to help navigate complex projects and support successful adaptation outcomes. 

What you’ll gain:

  • Strengthen trust, transparency, collaboration, and decision-making within project teams.
  • Use practical tools to plan projects, manage resources and risks, and track progress toward measurable outcomes. 

Note: this session will be delivered in a bilingual manner.

Technical Solutions: engineering and nature-based infrastructure

Date: Monday, November 9, 2026

Time: 10:30 a.m. ET

Facilitator: Onterris

Register for this session

This session examines techniques—spanning groundwater, hydrology, ecological systems and river corridors—that can help communities design resilient, nature-based solutions.

What you’ll gain:

  • Exposure to key concepts related to groundwater, hydrology, ecological systems, and river corridors.
  • Perspectives on how nature-based approaches can contribute to climate resilience, notably in terms of flood management.
  • Examples of nature-based solutions as well as the challenges and opportunities they present. 

 

Session summary

SessionDateTimeFacilitatorRegister
Technical Solutions: engineering and nature-based infrastructure Monday, November 9, 202610:30-11:30 a.m. ETOnterrisRegister for this session
Indigenous knowledge and engagementTuesday, November 10, 2026 10:30-11:30 a.m. ET4 Directions of ConservationRegister for this session
Anti-Racism, equity and inclusionTuesday, November 10, 20263:00-4:00 p.m. ETInclusive KindRegister for this session
Inclusive engagement through dialogueThursday, November 12, 202612:00 p.m.-1:00 p.m. ETSFU Centre for DialogueRegister for this session
Project management for climate adaptationThursday, November 12, 20263:00-4:00 p.m. ETTamarack Institute Register for this session

 

Who should attend

These workshops are ideal for municipal staff involved in local climate adaptation work—particularly those interested in improving collaboration, equity integration and project delivery. 

Workshops may be delivered in English or French, depending on the coach. Simultaneous interpretation (SI) will be provided in all workshops to ensure bilingual participation.

Summary

University Endowment Lands (UEL) has made history by being the first Canadian community to put an electric waste-collection truck on the road.  

After doing some homework and getting community buy-in, UEL added a Mack Electric Automated Side Loader with a 264-kWh battery to its fleet. The truck’s charging infrastructure, designed to reduce peak demand usage, is further offset by a solar PV array.  

The community loves to see the quiet truck making its way along its routes, leaving no loud noise or diesel fumes in its wake. Saving UEL $6,000 a year in fuel costs alone, the truck is well on its way to paying for itself in the estimated timeframe of twelve years. 

Residents love to see the truck around. It’s so quiet as it goes down the road, and adopting electric technology and greenhouse gas emissions reductions are really important to our community. —Will Emo, Manager, University Endowment Lands

Quick stats

  • The first electric community garbage truck to be used in Canada  
  • Cost offset by a $100,000 rebate from a federal government incentive (iMHZEV: Incentives for Medium- and Heavy-Duty Zero-Emission Vehicles)
  • About 5,000 litres/year of diesel fuel avoided, saving $6,000/year
  • Up to 19.5 tonnes of greenhouse gas emissions eliminated annually
  • Significantly lower maintenance costs  
  • Vehicle charging network includes a 27-kW PV array to offset hydro demand

Background

University Endowment Lands (UEL) is an unincorporated community of nearly 5,000 people in Metro Vancouver, British Columbia.  

UEL carries out its own waste collection, with two trucks in service. As the trucks approached the end of their lifecycles, UEL decided to explore purchasing an electric model to collect waste.  

With UEL’s direction and sustainability strategy aligned with CleanBC goals of reducing emissions by 40 percent by 2030, fleet electrification was already a long-term project for the community. UEL started by electrifying light-duty and specialized equipment before turning to medium- and heavy-duty vehicles. It has already electrified much of its fleet, notably a pick-up truck, a Class 3 dump truck, and outdoor maintenance equipment like lawn mowers and leaf blowers. 

The Challenge

Already strongly committed to lowering emissions through fleet electrification, UEL needed to find a way to add an electric garbage truck to its fleet—still a pretty new technology—without sacrificing reliability. If charging the truck went wrong, or if the truck broke down or needed to go in for maintenance, there would be no waste collection.  

The other challenge was financial. Although electric garbage trucks save money in the long term, they cost about twice as much up-front as conventional ones. Doing the studies, figuring out the budget and financing, and getting internal buy-in were all key.

Approach

Although UEL was ready to replace one of its diesel refuse-collection trucks with an electric model as early as 2018, it decided to wait for an optimal vehicle to come onto the market.

Taking things slowly allowed UEL to line everything up for successful integration of the electric waste-collection truck. The approach UEL took was two-fold: making sure institutional buy-in and financing were in place; and making sure the right infrastructure was in place for the truck’s arrival.  

Financial/institutional readiness

UEL built a business case clearly showing the benefits of an electric waste-collection truck to get buy-in from finance, operators and other staff. With the entire community on board, UEL explored financing options and rebates and saw it would be able to benefit from a federal government rebate (Incentive for Medium- and Heavy-Duty Zero-Emission Vehicles, or iMHZEV) that was available at the time.  

Physical infrastructure readiness

UEL started with a power study for its maintenance yard to establish a full electrification strategy. With this done, it constructed a multi-use shelter with a carport for charging the truck. The truck’s charger is a Terra DC Wallbox (19kW). UEL chose this lower-power charger because it works well for vehicles parked for longer periods of time, optimizing power usage to avoid peak-demand times.  

In keeping with UEL’s commitment to using renewable energy, the multi-use shelter includes a 27-kW solar PV array to further reduce the peak demand from charging a fleet of EVs. Finally, the charger was integrated into UEL’s ChargePoint CMS so it could track the truck’s energy usage and charging status.  

In 2023, UEL bought the demo model of the 2022 Mack Electric Automated Side Loader, with a 264-kWh battery—one of the first electric waste-collection trucks available on the Canadian market. With this type of EV still relatively untested, UEL decided to continue using a smaller diesel truck as a back-up. Each truck would run three days per week, alternating curbside waste and park collection throughout the week.

Barriers

Up-front cost barriers:

  • Electric waste-collection trucks cost about twice as much up-front as conventional models.  
  • Charging infrastructure presents another up-front cost. In this case it totaled $30,000 (including some necessary infrastructure upgrades).

Careful budgeting and planning along with taking advantage of a federal government incentive enabled UEL to finance purchasing the truck and install the charging infrastructure.

Technical barriers:

  • The electric Mack waste-collection truck has an identical chassis and cabin to the diesel vehicle that operators are already very familiar with, but there are some differences in driving the truck. For example, the electric model has a regenerative braking system.  
  • A defective part caused problems with the truck’s transmission when it first arrived. The part was under warranty and Mack replaced it.  

UEL made sure that operators had ample training so they would be comfortable driving the truck. With the truck under extended warranty, any repairs or routine maintenance is done by the dealer. This was another big selling point to operating and maintenance staff.  

Results

  • Data from the truck’s first year of operations confirms the truck is on track to “pay for itself” as planned. The study on total cost of ownership (TCO) estimated a payback period of 12 years; after one year of operation costs and data analyzed, the electrification benefits and savings forecasted have been confirmed.
  • Residents love how quiet and clean the truck is and feel that it aligns with community values.
  • Operators are enjoying driving the truck, reporting that it’s nicer to drive with fewer vibrations and no air/noise pollution.
  • Maintenance staff appreciate the truck’s significantly lower maintenance requirements. 
Image of the garbage truck for the UEL

Image of the garbage truck for the University Endowment Lands

Benefits

The benefits of integrating an electric waste-collection truck into UEL’s fleet have been multifold. 

Cost savings:  

  • The electricity required to power the truck is about 13 MWh per year, which cost about $1,700 in 2024. In comparison, diesel costs for a conventional truck are about $7,500/year. The net result is $6,000 in savings per year.  
  • Electricity costs are also lowered by the charging station’s PV solar array.
  • Maintenance hours/costs are almost nil. Operators love that all they need to do is plug the truck in and go home at the end of the day. As the truck’s powertrain is under extended warranty, it can be brought into the dealership when needed, taking another load off maintenance staff.  

Health/social equity benefits:

  • Electric trucks increase worker health and safety. In conventional trucks, operators face the highest exposure to diesel exhaust, a non-issue in an electric vehicle.  
  • Decreased noise pollution and fewer vibrations also make the work environment of an electric truck healthier and more comfortable.
  • The truck aligns with community values. UEL residents want to do their part to lower emissions, and they see the truck as part of these efforts.

Environmental benefits:

  • Running one electric waste-collection truck means approximately 5,000 litres/year of diesel fuel avoided.  
  • This means greenhouse gas emissions amounting to 19.5 tCO2e/year have been eliminated.

Lessons learned 

  • First, get internal buy-in from finance and operational staff: Do the studies and present a great business case showing all the savings and benefits of adding an electric waste-collection truck to your fleet.
  • Plan, budget and leverage any government rebates or carbon credits to deal with the higher up-front costs of purchasing an electric waste-collection truck.
  • Do the research to get the vehicle and charging infrastructure that are right for your fleet.
  • Have good change management practices in place so operators readily adopt the new technology when the vehicle arrives. In this case, operators faced a small learning curve with using the truck’s regenerative braking system, but they had ample training and could see big benefits clearly on the horizon. 
  • Have a back-up plan. With the EV still a relatively new piece of kit, keeping one diesel truck in the fleet made sense for this community.

Want to explore all GMF-funded projects? Check out the Projects Database for a complete overview of funded projects and get inspired by municipalities of all sizes, across Canada.

Visit the projects database

Funding Snapshot

Maximum Award:
  • Loans of up to $10 million and grants up to a maximum ratio of 7:1 (loan to grant) covering up to 80% of eligible costs.
  • Higher loan amounts are considered on a case-by-case basis. Grants cannot exceed total operating costs.
Open To:

Municipal governments operating in jurisdictions with Property Assessed Clean Energy (PACE)-enabling legislation that have an existing PACE financing program for home energy efficiency upgrades.

Eligible applicants include:

  • Canadian municipal governments (e.g., towns, cities, regions, districts and local boards)
  • Organizations applying in partnership with a municipal government. Non-municipal lead applicants are considered on a case-by-case basis and should contact a GMF representative before applying.

Note: Existing programs do not need to have been funded through GMF’s Community Efficiency Financing (CEF) initiative.

 

Expected Output:

Continued or expanded capital deployment for existing local home energy efficiency financing programs based on the PACE model. Other financing models, such as direct lending, may be considered on a case-by-case basis.

 

Application Deadline:

Applications are accepted on a rolling basis until further notice.

NOTE: GMF reserves the right to adjust eligibility criteria and the types of projects funded through this offer.

Why apply for capital program funding?

Scaling Community Efficiency Financing (SCEF) funding helps municipalities with established PACE programs keep offering financing to homeowners and extend it to more households. Capital program funding helps you:

  • Continue delivering your program now that CEF funding is fully committed.
  • Meet demand you can’t serve today, such as homeowners on a wait list or applications held back by paused intake.
  • Add new approaches that widen access to your program, increase uptake or deliver more types of benefits.
  • Finance related home improvements such as water conservation, climate resilience, and health and safety measures alongside energy upgrades.

What we fund

Capital program funding helps local governments continue or scale their existing PACE programs so homeowners can finance energy efficiency upgrades.

Municipalities and their partners can use this funding to:

  • Finance permanent home energy efficiency upgrades through an existing PACE program, such as insulation, air sealing, heat pumps, windows and solar panels.
  • Cover eligible operating costs, including staff remuneration, marketing, program administration and third-party delivery services.
  • Provide direct rebates and incentives for pre- and post-home energy assessments and for equipment and materials used in upgrades.
  • Offer contractor engagement incentives approved by FCM.
  • Allocate up to 30 percent of total eligible costs per residential retrofit to non-energy improvements such as water conservation, climate resilience, and health and safety measures.

For a full list of program design considerations, including eligible measures, please read the application guide.

What your project needs to achieve

To qualify for funding, your capital program must:

  • Build on an existing PACE financing program for home energy efficiency upgrades.
  • Show that the program’s past performance and operating experience prove it is ready to continue or scale delivery.
  • Set out a plan for deploying capital, with yearly financing projections based on past performance and current readiness.
  • Demonstrate the potential to generate measurable environmental, economic and social benefits.

Eligibility requirements

Eligible costs

For full details, please read the application guide.

How your application is evaluated

Applications are assessed for completeness and how well they meet GMF’s core evaluation criteria. The evaluation is split into two primary categories: Impact and Implementation.

Evaluation categoryKey focus areasGoals
Impact
  • Program financing
  • Environmental benefits
  • Economic and community benefits
  • Engagement strategy
  • Equity and accessibility
  • Measurable environmental, economic and social benefits
  • Strong business case
  • Detailed capital deployment plan
  • Strong engagement strategy
Implementation
  • Measuring and monitoring
  • Team and partners
  • Risk management
  • Budget and workplan
  • Program design that accounts for all implementation factors
  • Complete budget that offers value for money
  • Progress tracking against objectives
  • Risk mitigation plans
  • Team and resources in place

Required documents

To apply for GMF funding, you must submit:

  • Completed pre-application form and full application form
  • Project workbook
  • Project team organizational chart
  • Evidence of municipal support: a resolution from council or a letter of support signed by the mayor on behalf of council, or by the chief administrative officer or city manager, describing the municipality’s commitment to the capital program
  • Proof of legal authority to pursue a PACE financing program for home energy upgrades
  • A letter from each confirmed funding source specifying the amount of cash contributed and/or the value of any staff time or in-kind contributions to the capital program
  • A letter confirming consultation with your provincial or territorial government

If approved for funding, you must also submit a municipal borrowing by-law or resolution, or a board resolution, authorizing your organization to borrow the requested loan.

Additional documents for partner organizations

If the lead applicant is a partner organization, you must also submit:

  • Founding articles of incorporation and/or other constating documents
  • A signed agreement between the partner organization and the participating municipality or municipalities showing the contractual obligations of all parties
  • A signed letter from the partner organization’s chief executive officer confirming the organization’s commitment and the board of directors’ support for the capital program and funding application
  • A complete wire diagram of the partner organization’s corporate structure, including sponsors, shareholders, borrowers, guarantors and their material subsidiaries

Readiness check 

Question 1

Which of the following best describes your organization?

Question 1a

Do you have a partnership in place with a Canadian municipality?

Question 2

Does your municipality or partnering municipality have an existing PACE financing program for home energy efficiency upgrades?

It looks like your project is already well underway. We would like to connect with you.

The next step is to download the application guide and confirm your eligibility with a GMF representative. They will support you in starting your application.

Please contact us now:

Reset Tool

Unfortunately, your organization cannot access this funding because you are not partnered with a municipality on this project. While this funding isn’t the right fit, GMF offers other funding, training and resources to support communities working on home energy upgrades.

Check out our resources for practical, hands-on tools and knowledge that can support your project.

Reset Tool

Unfortunately, this funding requires that the municipality has an existing PACE financing program for home energy upgrades. While this funding isn’t the right fit, GMF offers other funding, training and resources to support communities working on home energy upgrades.

Check out our resources for practical, hands-on tools and knowledge that can support your project efforts and address municipal challenges.

Discover other GMF funding offered to local governments to fund infrastructure and support a net-zero Canada.

Sign up for FCM Connect to stay informed about GMF funding, resources and training.

Reset Tool

It looks like your project is already well underway. We would like to connect with you.

Welcome back. Since you already have an account with us, you can log into FCM’s funding portal and download the application to begin the pre-application process. Download the application guide to help with your next steps.

If you require additional support, please contact us:

Reset Tool

Unfortunately, your organization cannot access this funding because you are not partnered with a municipality on this project. While this funding isn’t the right fit, GMF offers other funding, training and resources to support communities working on home energy upgrades.

Check out our resources for practical, hands-on tools and knowledge that can support your project.

Reset Tool

Unfortunately, this funding requires that the municipality has an existing PACE financing program for home energy upgrades. While this funding isn’t the right fit, GMF offers other funding, training and resources to support communities working on home energy upgrades.

Check out our resources for practical, hands-on tools and knowledge that can support your project efforts and address municipal challenges.

Discover other GMF funding offered to local governments to fund infrastructure and support a net-zero Canada.

Sign up for FCM Connect to stay informed about GMF funding, resources and training.

Reset Tool

It looks like your project is already well underway. We would like to connect with you.

Welcome back. Since you already have an account with us, you can log into FCM’s funding portal and download the application to begin the pre-application process. Download the application guide to help with your next steps.

If you require additional support, please contact us:

Reset Tool

Application process

Below is an overview of the application process to reach a funding decision.

Step 1: Readiness check

Before applying, please answer the questions in the Readiness check to find out if you are eligible for funding. Please see the Eligibility requirements section for more details.

Step 2: Contact a GMF representative

Talk to a GMF representative about your existing capital program and obtain the necessary pre-application form through FCM’s funding portal.

1-877-417-0550

gmfinfo@fcm.ca

Book a meeting with a GMF representative

Step 3: Submit a pre-application

All applicants must complete a pre-application form. GMF staff will review your submission and may conduct due diligence at this stage. Prospective projects are reviewed for how well they align with the offer’s requirements and other criteria GMF considers relevant.

Step 4: Submit a full application

If deemed eligible following the pre-application, you’ll be invited to submit a full application package through FCM’s funding portal. The full application consists of:

  • A completed application form
  • A completed project workbook (Excel file)
  • Other supporting documents GMF requires (see Required documents)

Moving to this stage does not guarantee eligibility, approval, funding or a funding agreement.

Step 5: GMF project officer review

A GMF project officer will review your application for accuracy and completeness. They may work with you to resolve questions, request more information or provide comments, but note that GMF is not required to do so at any stage.

Step 6: Peer review and internal review

An external peer review panel will evaluate your application. There will also be an internal analysis to provide a funding recommendation to GMF Council and FCM’s Board of Directors.

Step 7: Funding decision

FCM’s Board of Directors oversees funding recommendations made by GMF Council. The estimated time from application submission to a funding decision is four to six months and depends on the promptness and completeness of applicants’ responses to any questions or concerns raised during steps 5 and 6.

Application outcomes, including not being approved, may vary based on factors such as available funding, the amount of funding already received by an applicant, applicant category, alignment with the program’s intent and the use of available funding.

How to apply

  1. Complete the Readiness check.
  2. Download and review the application guide.
  3. Contact a GMF representative to discuss your project at gmfinfo@fcm.ca or 1-877-417-0550.
  4. Download and complete the pre-application form from the FCM Portal.
  5. If invited, submit the full application form along with the other required documentation as outlined in the application guide.

Need help to see if this is the right funding for you?

Contact our Outreach team who can answer any questions you have relating to this funding opportunity.

Learn more about the Local Leadership for Climate Adaptation initiative. 

Discover the ways GMF is supporting local governments and communities to become more resilient to climate change impacts.

Funding Snapshot

Maximum Award:

Loans of up to $10 million and grants up to a maximum ratio of 3:1 (loan to grant) covering up to 80% of eligible costs. Higher loan amounts are considered on a case-by-case basis. Grants cannot exceed total operating costs

 

Open To:

Municipal governments and eligible partners operating in jurisdictions with Property Assessed Clean Energy (PACE)-enabled legislation that allows financing of chosen resilience measures.

Eligible applicants include:

  • Canadian municipal governments (e.g., towns, cities, regions, districts and local boards).
  • Organizations applying in partnership with a municipal government. 
  • Non-municipal lead applicants are considered on a case-by-case basis and should contact a GMF representative before applying 
  • Those who intend to embed resiliency improvements into an existing PACE financing program for home energy-efficiency upgrades. Existing programs do not need to have been funded through GMF’s Community Efficiency Financing (CEF) initiative.

Note: To qualify, applicants must have a completed program design study or equivalent.

Expected Output:

Implementation and capital deployment for local residential resilience financing programs based on the PACE model.

Emergency response and disaster recovery projects are ineligible.

 

Application Deadline:

Applications are accepted on a rolling basis until further notice.

Why apply for capital program funding?

RRF Capital Program funding helps municipalities transition from planning to large-scale execution, enabling homeowners to invest in vital climate adaptation upgrades.

Capital Program funding helps you:  

  • Deploy financing at scale for residential retrofits that protect homes from extreme weather, flooding and wildfires.
  • Maintain long-term financial stability and operational continuity as your program grows.
  • Expand your existing home energy efficiency program to comprehensively address climate resilience.
  • Help residents improve home resilience when recovering from extreme weather damage through strategic collaboration with the insurance sector.  

What we fund

Residential Resilience Financing is part of the Green Municipal Fund’s broader Local Leadership for Climate Adaptation initiative. Capital Program funding enables local governments to deploy financing for homeowners to install retrofits that protect properties against climate hazards such as flooding, wildfires, extreme weather, drought and other climate risks.  

  • Municipalities and their partners can use this funding to:  
    Issue loans and grants for permanent home resilience retrofits, such as flood protection, wildfire hardening and extreme heat defences, integrated into existing energy efficiency PACE programs.
  • Cover eligible operating costs, including staff remuneration, marketing, program administration and third-party delivery services.  
  • Provide direct rebates and incentives for pre- and post-home resilience assessments and approved upgrades
  • Implement build-back-better financing mechanisms in post-loss scenarios in collaboration with insurance providers.
  • Allocate up to 30 percent of total eligible costs per residential retrofit to enabling work and health and safety measures supporting resiliency upgrades.

 

For a full list of program design considerations, including eligible measures, please refer to the application guide.  

What your project needs to achieve

To qualify for funding, your capital program must:  

  • Build on an existing residential energy efficiency PACE financing program.
  • Utilize a completed program design study that outlines target audiences, hazard prioritizations, financing terms and risk mitigation plans.
  • Deploy capital efficiently to finance homeowner retrofits that address priority climate hazards.
  • Maintain long-term financial stability and operational continuity to scale over time.  

At a glance: Capital Programs vs Program Design Studies

DetailsResidential Resilience Financing: Capital ProgramsResidential Resilience Financing: Program Design Studies
PurposeDeploys capital to execute and scale local residential resilience financing programsExplores and designs the expansion of municipal financing programs to include climate adaptation
Funding typeLoans of up to $10 million plus grants up to a 3:1 loan-to-grant ratio, covering up to 80 percent of eligible costsGrants of up to $150,000, covering up to 80 percent of eligible costs
Key outcomesActive capital deployment, loan issuance and completed residential resilience retrofitsRobust program design study establishing technical feasibility, financial models and stakeholder buy-in
Learn moreResidential Resilience Financing: Capital ProgramsResidential Resilience Financing: Program Design Studies

Eligibility requirements

Eligible costs

Please see the application guide.

How your application is evaluated

Applications are assessed for completeness and how well they meet GMF’s core evaluation criteria. The evaluation is split into two primary categories: Impact and Implementation.

Evaluation categoryKey focus areasGoals
Impact
  • Program financing
  • Resilience benefits
  • Economic and community benefits
  • Engagement strategy
  • Equity and accessibility
  • Measurable environmental and social benefits
  • Strong business case
  • Detailed capital deployment plan
  • Robust stakeholder and rights holder engagement
  • Clear equity considerations
Implementation
  • Measuring and monitoring
  • Team and partners
  • Risk management
  • Budget and workplan
  • Holistic program design
  • Realistic budgeting
  • Progress tracking
  • Comprehensive risk mitigation
  • Proven team capacity

Required documents

To apply for GMF funding, you must submit:

  • Completed pre-application form and full application form
  • Evidence of having completed detailed program design work, such as a program design study
  • Project workbook
  • Project team organizational chart and scope of responsibilities and qualifications, such as resumes
  • Evidence of municipal support: a resolution from council or a letter of support signed by the mayor on behalf of council, or by the chief administrative officer or city manager, describing the municipality’s commitment to this application
  • A letter from each confirmed funding source specifying the amount of cash contributed and/or the value of any staff time or in-kind contributions dedicated to the study or program
  • A letter confirming consultation with your provincial or territorial government
  • Proof that you have legal authority to pursue a PACE financing program for resilience-focused home upgrades

Readiness check 

Question 1

Do you represent, or are you working in partnership with, a Canadian municipality operating in a jurisdiction with PACE-enabling legislation that allows financing of chosen resilience measures?

Question 2

Which of the following best describes your organization?

Question 2a

Do you have a partnership in place with a Canadian municipality?

Question 3

Does your municipality or partnering municipality have an existing PACE financing program for home energy-efficiency upgrades?

Question 4

Have you completed a program design study (or equivalent) detailing your target audience, hazard prioritization, financing terms and risk mitigation plan?

Question 5

To help us guide you to the best next step, is this your first time applying for GMF funding?

The next step is to download the application guide and confirm your eligibility with a GMF representative. 

They will provide next steps and support you in starting your application.

Download the application guide

Contact a GMF representative to schedule an appointment:

Reset Tool

This funding is intended to support Canadian municipal governments and eligible partners operating in a jurisdiction with PACE-enabling legislation that allows financing of chosen resilience measures. While this funding isn't the right fit, GMF offers other funding, training and resources to support communities in their adaptation journey.

Check out our resources for practical, hands-on tools and knowledge that can support your project efforts and address municipal challenges.

Discover other GMF funding offered to local governments to fund infrastructure and support a net-zero Canada.

Sign up for FCM Connect to stay informed about GMF funding, resources and training.

Reset Tool

Unfortunately, your organization cannot access this funding because you are not partnered with a municipality on this project. While this funding isn't the right fit, GMF offers other funding, training and resources to support communities in their adaptation journey.

Check out our resources for practical, hands-on tools and knowledge that can support your project.

Reset Tool

Unfortunately, this funding requires that the municipality have an existing financing program for home energy upgrades. While this funding isn't the right fit, GMF offers other funding, training and resources to support communities in their adaptation journey.

Check out our resources for practical, hands-on tools and knowledge that can support your project efforts and address municipal challenges.

Discover other GMF funding offered to local governments to fund infrastructure and support a net-zero Canada.

Sign up for FCM Connect to stay informed about GMF funding, resources and training.

Reset Tool

Unfortunately, this funding requires that you have already completed a program design study. While this funding isn't the right fit, GMF offers other funding, training and resources, including funding opportunities for Program Design Studies to support communities in their adaptation journey.

Check out our resources for practical, hands-on tools and knowledge that can support your project efforts and address municipal challenges.

Discover other GMF funding offered to local governments to fund infrastructure and support a net-zero Canada.

Sign up for FCM Connect to stay informed about GMF funding, resources and training.

Reset Tool

Welcome back. 

Since you already have an account with us, you can log into FCM’s funding portal and download the application to begin the application process. Download the application guide to help with your next steps.

Download the application guide

If you require additional support, please contact us:

Reset Tool

This funding is intended to support Canadian municipal governments and eligible partners operating in a jurisdiction with PACE-enabling legislation that allows financing of chosen resilience measures. While this funding isn't the right fit, GMF offers other funding, training and resources to support communities in their adaptation journey.

Check out our resources for practical, hands-on tools and knowledge that can support your project efforts and address municipal challenges.

Discover other GMF funding offered to local governments to fund infrastructure and support a net-zero Canada.

Sign up for FCM Connect to stay informed about GMF funding, resources and training.

Reset Tool

Unfortunately, your organization cannot access this funding because you are not partnered with a municipality on this project. While this funding isn't the right fit, GMF offers other funding, training and resources to support communities in their adaptation journey.

Check out our resources for practical, hands-on tools and knowledge that can support your project.

Reset Tool

Unfortunately, this funding requires that the municipality have an existing financing program for home energy upgrades. While this funding isn't the right fit, GMF offers other funding, training and resources to support communities in their adaptation journey.

Check out our resources for practical, hands-on tools and knowledge that can support your project efforts and address municipal challenges.

Discover other GMF funding offered to local governments to fund infrastructure and support a net-zero Canada.

Sign up for FCM Connect to stay informed about GMF funding, resources and training.

Reset Tool

Unfortunately, this funding requires that you have already completed a program design study. While this funding isn't the right fit, GMF offers other funding, training and resources, including funding opportunities for Program Design Studies to support communities in their adaptation journey.

Check out our resources for practical, hands-on tools and knowledge that can support your project efforts and address municipal challenges.

Discover other GMF funding offered to local governments to fund infrastructure and support a net-zero Canada.

Sign up for FCM Connect to stay informed about GMF funding, resources and training.

Reset Tool

Welcome back. 

Since you already have an account with us, you can log into FCM’s funding portal and download the application to begin the application process. Download the application guide to help with your next steps.

Download the application guide

If you require additional support, please contact us:

Reset Tool

Application process

Below is an overview of the application process to reach a funding decision.

Step 1: Readiness check

Before applying, please answer the questions in the Readiness Check to find out if you are eligible for funding. Please see the Eligibility requirements section for more details.

Step 2: Contact a GMF representative

Contact a GMF representative to discuss your capital program and obtain the necessary pre-application form through FCM’s funding portal.

Step 3: Submit a pre-application

All applicants must complete a pre-application form. GMF staff will review your submission and conduct due diligence at this stage. Prospective projects are reviewed based on how well they align with the offer’s requirements and other criteria GMF considers relevant.

Step 4: Submit a full application

If deemed eligible following the pre-application, you’ll be invited to submit a full application package through FCM’s funding portal. The full application consists of:

  • A completed application form
  • A completed project workbook (Excel file)
  • Other supporting documents required by GMF (see Appendix A: Required supporting documents)

Moving to this stage does not guarantee eligibility, approval, funding or a funding agreement.

Step 5: GMF project officer review

A GMF project officer will review your application for accuracy and completeness. They may work with you to resolve questions, request more information or provide comments, but GMF is not required to do so at any stage.

Step 6: Peer review and internal review

An external peer review panel will evaluate your application. There will also be an internal analysis to provide a funding recommendation to GMF Council and FCM’s Board of Directors.

Step 7: Funding decision

FCM’s Board of Directors oversees funding recommendations made by GMF Council. The estimated time from application submission to a funding decision is four to six months and depends on the promptness and completeness of applicants’ responses to any questions or concerns raised during Steps 5 and 6.

Application outcomes, including a decision not to approve an application, may vary based on factors such as available funding, the amount of funding already received by an applicant, applicant category, alignment with the program’s intent and the use of available funding.

How to apply

  1. Complete the Readiness Check.
  2. Download and review the application guide.
  3. Contact a GMF representative to discuss your project at gmfinfo@fcm.ca or 1-877-417-0550.
  4. Download and complete the pre-application form through FCM’s funding portal.
  5. If invited, submit the application form and the other required documentation outlined in the application guide.

Need help to see if this is the right funding for you?

Contact our Outreach team who can answer any questions you have relating to this funding opportunity.

Learn more about the Local Leadership for Climate Adaptation initiative. 

Discover the ways GMF is supporting local governments and communities to become more resilient to climate change impacts.

What we’re testing and what feedback helps

Read this before you start.

What this toolkit is

The Municipal Climate Communication Toolkit is a practical resource for municipal staff and elected officials in rural, remote, small and medium communities. It’s meant to help municipal staff and elected officials communicate local climate action clearly, honestly and in a way that builds public trust.

What we are testing

We want to know whether the toolkit works in practice—for someone in your role, in a community like yours, facing a real communication challenge. The most useful feedback answers one or more of these questions:

  • Could you find what you needed? Did the toolkit point you to the right tools, or did you get lost or confused along the way?
  • Did the tools work when you got there? Were the message maps, templates and guides clear and usable?
  • Were there gaps? Was there something you needed that wasn’t there—a data source or guidance for a specific situation?
  • Is anything unclear? Were there instructions or explanations that were hard to follow even after reading carefully?

Providing feedback

This toolkit is a preliminary release. We welcome your feedback to help us refine it before the full public launch.

Please explore the toolkit and share your thoughts using the feedback form. If you have comments on specific documents, download the document, add your notes as comments and email it back to us using the instructions at the end of this package.

Please:

  • Focus your feedback on whether the toolkit works for your role and your community—for example, “I couldn’t tell which message map applied to my community type” or “The Make it Local guide didn’t have sources relevant to my region.”
  • Frame comments as questions wherever possible—for example, “Would this template work for a mayor without communications staff?” rather than “This template is too complicated.”
  • Flag anything that is factually inaccurate or missing for your specific region or community context—for example, a data source that’s wrong, outdated or absent from the Make it Local guide.
  • Flag anything that was unclear or hard to follow, noting the specific tool and section so we can find it.
  • Refrain from copy-editing or suggesting stylistic rewrites—the documents follow a deliberate plain-language approach grounded in communication research.
  • Refrain from flagging the same issue more than once—if something needs to change throughout a document, note it once and add “Please apply to all instances.”
  • Keep in mind that the regional message maps are examples to adapt, not finished messages to use as written. Feedback on the examples is most useful when it identifies a specific gap or inaccuracy, not a stylistic preference.

Thank you for your time. Your feedback will directly shape the final toolkit.

Share your feedback

Event Details

Location
Moncton, NB
Date
ET
End Date
ET

Communities across Atlantic Canada are seeing the impacts of climate change on their urban forests. From a greater frequency of severe storms and wildfires to the spread of pests and disease, community canopies are increasingly under threat, while municipal budgets and local capacities to respond are stretched thin.  

Join us for Creating climate-resilient urban forests in Atlantic Canada, a day-long in-person workshop in Moncton, NB, on November 12, 2026. This event provides space for municipal staff and community partners to hear from experts on practical solutions and actionable steps to make urban forests more resilient to extreme climate events.  

By attending this workshop, you will:

  • Understand wildfire hazard assessments, including exposure, probability and risk.  
  • Learn to apply wildfire hazard assessments directly to your urban forestry practices.  
  • Discover practical strategies to improve tree stock selection and diversify your local canopies.  
  • Learn to navigate common challenges to establishing climate-resilient urban forestry practices.

Who should attend?

  • Municipal staff in the Atlantic region working in urban forestry and/or climate adaptation projects, including those who have received funding* through Growing Canada’s Community Canopies (GCCC) initiative.  
  • Non-profit organizations, Indigenous community members, or other projects partners that support urban forestry initiatives in Atlantic Canada.  

Register by October 20, 2026

Workshop details

Location: Mapleton Rotary Pavilion, 600 Mapleton Rd. Moncton, NB

Date and time:  November 12, 2026 (8:30-5 p.m. ET) 

Language: English

Cost: This event is free. Meals will be provided during the workshop.

Travel: Participants who have received Tree planting or Urban forestry plans and studies funding through GMF’s Growing Canada's Community Canopies initiative may be eligible to receive reimbursement for travel costs. Please contact your Project Officer for more information.

If you have any questions, please email Yvonne Ritchie.  

government-of-canada-logo

 

The Green Municipal Fund's Growing Canada’s Community Canopies is a $291 million initiative, ending in 2031, funded by the Government of Canada and delivered by the Federation of Canadian Municipalities. Capacity building is enabled through a partnership with Tree Canada. GCCC will support the planting of at least 1.2M trees across Canada by end of March 2031. 


Rising summer temperatures and urban heat islands hit vulnerable communities the hardest. In the City of Cornwall, several residential areas lacked adequate canopy cover, leaving families with few shaded spaces, increasing their health risks and driving up air conditioning demands.

With support from GMF’s Growing Canada’s Community Canopies (GCCC) initiative’s Tree planting funding, the City of Cornwall is planting new trees in neighbourhoods with the greatest need for the cooling power of trees.

Assessing the needs for canopy expansion  

Along with many other municipalities, Cornwall has declared a climate emergency. To address extreme heat, they used vulnerability and risk assessment maps associated with their broader climate adaptation plan to identify high-risk and low canopy areas.  

Municipalities looking to conduct similar assessments can explore our factsheet: Urban forestry technology and tools to identify canopy gaps and prioritize equitable tree planting.

Planting for long-term climate resilience  

With funding from GMF, Cornwall launched its Cooling vulnerable neighbourhoods project to expand shade, protect local infrastructure and advance tree equity. The city planted over 240 climate-resilient native trees across priority neighbourhoods, parks and municipal housing properties.  

To ensure long-term survival in changing weather conditions, forestry specialists selected species suited to future climate projections while avoiding varieties vulnerable to warming temperature trends.

Planting trees is only one part of Cornwall’s approach to climate resilience. To protect and enhance its canopy in the long run, the city is developing a 10-year urban forest management plan. This strategy will help staff monitor tree health across public and private lands, while updating local tree protection policies and coordinating canopy targets across municipal departments for years to come.  

If your municipality is looking to create or update an urban forest management plan, use our resource to get started: Guide and template: Creating an urban forest management plan for your community.  

 

This resource was created by Green Municipal Fund’s Growing Canada’s Community Canopies initiative, which is delivered by the Federation of Canadian Municipalities and funded by the Government of Canada. 

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