Projects

Now accepting new applications

As of December 1, 2011, we are accepting new applications for capital projects in all sectors.

To best manage the high demand for GMF funding, the high quality of applications we receive, and the limited funding available each year, we have adopted a new, competitive selection process for capital projects in the energy, transportation, waste and water sectors. This new process is described below.

An updated GMF Application Form, along with an updated Eligibility Questionnaire and a new Project Scorecard are now available.

Brownfields: There is no change to the selection process for brownfield capital projects, but all applicants need to use the updated application form.

What is a capital project?

A capital project is a project involving the retrofitting, construction, replacement, expansion, soil remediation or removal, or purchase and installation of fixed assets or infrastructure that will improve environmental performance in municipal brownfields, energy, transportation, waste, or water, or some combination of these sectors.

How much funding is available per project?

We offer below-market loans, usually in combination with grants, to implement capital projects. Funding is provided for up to 80% of eligible project costs. The loan maximum is $10 million, and the grant amount is set at up to 20% of the loan to a maximum of $1 million*.

*Grants are typically around 10% of the loan amount approved. High-scoring projects may be awarded the maximum 20% grant, without exceeding the $1 million grant limit per project.

Brownfields: Grants are not available for capital projects in the brownfields sector. There is no specified loan limit for capital projects in this sector, but we reserve the right to adjust the maximum loan per project.

If your application is approved, costs become eligible for partial reimbursement on the date we receive your application. However, costs you incurred up to 90 days before you submitted your application to complete the application form (consultant costs) are also eligible for partial reimbursement.

What is the total funding available for capital projects?

In 2012–2013, we are aiming to approve:

$45 million in loans and $5 million in grants for capital projects in the energy, transportation, waste and water sectors
a minimum of $20 million in loans for capital projects in the brownfields sector

The Green Municipal Fund is a perpetual endowment fund. These annual funding limits help us to prudently manage the funding available for green projects.

What is the interest rate for GMF loans?

For municipal governments, we offer loans at 1.5% below the Government of Canada bond rate for the respective terms.

For partners in municipal environmental projects, we offer competitive, long-term financing based on a credit risk assessment.

Coupled with the grants that we offer in all sectors but brownfields, our effective loan rate is much lower than a comparable rate from traditional funding sources.

What types of capital projects are eligible for funding?

Eligibility for GMF funding for capital projects is structured on environmental objectives or outcomes as opposed to specific project types. By not specifying the project type, we want to leave it up to you how you achieve your environmental goals. We want municipalities to be able to plan and seek funding from GMF on a range of projects that may be very different but lead to the same environmental outcomes. We think this approach is flexible and supports innovation.

GMF funding is available to help you meet the following environmental objectives:

Brownfields	Bring contaminated sites back into productive use and reduce the need for greenfield development (a greenfield is a site that has not been previously developed)
Energy	Reduce energy consumption
Transportation	Reduce fuel consumption for transportation
Waste	Reduce waste sent to landfill
Water	Protect watersheds

Who is eligible?

GMF funding for capital projects is available to all municipal governments and their partners. For more information, see Eligibility.

How are projects selected for funding?

Energy, transportation, waste and water projects

Effective December 1, 2011, the selection process includes these five steps:

	Self-Screening and Pre-Evaluation: Applicants complete an Eligibility Questionnaire to assess their eligibility for funding, along with a new Project Scorecard to assess the potential score of their application. This step is optional but strongly encouraged.
	Application review: GMF staff review applications and work with applicants to gather any missing information within established timelines.
	Independent peer review: Peer reviewers score applications using the new Project Scorecard.
	Selection: Each month, the GMF Council reviews and compares peer-reviewed applications within the month's selection pool.
	Approval and notification: The FCM Executive Board Committee approves funding applications on the recommendation of the GMF Council. GMF staff notify successful applicants of their approved funding amount. Applicants whose applications were not approved may be offered the opportunity to stay in the selection pool for the next month's review period, for up to six months.

No need to rush: This new process enables us to continue accepting new applications year-round and to ensure that the best projects get recommended for funding regardless of when the application is submitted.

Only the best projects will be approved for funding. We reserve the right to partially fund projects. Applicants are encouraged to contact Paul Gregory, regional advisor, at 613-907-6291 for a free consultation.

Brownfield projects

Brownfield applications are reviewed as they are received in a non-competitive process. They are not compared to other applications, but instead scored according to established criteria.