Funding for protecting Lake Simcoe

Overview

Lake Simcoe is the largest inland lake in southern Ontario and a significant source of drinking water for hundreds of thousands of Canadians. Lake Simcoe’s water quality and aquatic ecosystem health faces significant pressures from the effects of toxic and nuisance algae due to a combination of factors including excess nutrients, land use change, invasive species and the impacts of climate change. The Lake Simcoe Freshwater Ecosystem Initiative (FEI) is taking action to reduce phosphorus loads to the lake from land-based sources with the goal of preventing toxic and nuisance algae.

To assist in achieving this goal, the Canada Water Agency (CWA) is making funding available to support projects that implement and increase adoption of best management practices or other approaches resulting in reductions of phosphorus loads to Lake Simcoe, including innovative approaches or technologies.

Geographic scope and priority areas

Funding will support projects within the Lake Simcoe drainage basin (Figure 1).

Figure 1. Lake Simcoe drainage basin

Eligibility

Eligible recipients

Canadian organizations are eligible to apply and include:

• Indigenous organizations, governments, individuals, boards, commissions, communities, associations, and authorities
• municipal and local governments (including Conservation Authorities)
• not-for-profit organizations, such as charitable and volunteer organizations, professional associations (such as industry associations), and non-governmental organizations
• research, academic and educational institutions

Individuals and provincial government agencies are not eligible for funding.

Eligible projects

Project applications with a direct and clear connection to the following project type will be eligible for funding. All applications must provide a description of outreach or knowledge mobilization activities to be implemented if the application is selected for funding.  Outreach or knowledge mobilization includes how the project will promote broader uptake and application of phosphorus reduction measures to the wider community.

Note: The inclusion of innovative approaches or technologies that will result in reduced phosphorus loads to Lake Simcoe will be considered an asset but is not a requirement to receive funding.

Projects / activities not eligible for funding

The following project types are not eligible for funding:

• projects that are focused on water quantity issues
• projects which are located outside of the defined geographical area
• projects which are focused on increasing production (e.g., agricultural) or replacing worn out equipment
• projects which are not in compliance with applicable legislation, including environmental legislation (for example: requirements under the Lakes and Rivers Improvement Act, Fisheries Act)
• activities that are intended to directly influence and/or lobby any level of government
• activities that are deemed to be part of normal operations of an organization/business or for commercial expansion purposes
• wastewater infrastructure projects

Eligible project costs

Only costs which can be directly attributed to carrying out the project will be eligible for funding, including:

• human resource costs, including salaries and benefits
• management and professional service costs, such as accounting, monitoring, communications, official languages translation, audit and legal charges
• monetary honoraria for Indigenous Elders and/or Knowledge Keepers
• hospitality
• travel
• material and supplies
• printing, production, and distribution costs
• equipment and capital assets purchase or rental
• vehicle rental and operation costs
• contractors required to perform activities related to the project
• cost associated with land acquisition, such as efforts to secure a conservation easement (but note that actual costs of land acquisition are not an eligible cost)
• a reasonable share of overhead and/or administrative costs
• any GST/HST that is not reimbursable by Canada Revenue Agency and any PST not reimbursable by the provinces
• other incremental expenditures directly related to the project (as pre-approved by the CWA)

Ineligible project costs

Costs, other than those herein allowed, are ineligible unless specifically approved in writing by the Minister of the Environment or his/her representatives at the time of project approval. For all costs, only those deemed to be a reasonable share for completing the project shall be considered eligible. Note that Lake Simcoe FEI does not provide funding for capital or operating costs of municipal infrastructure or land acquisition.

Funding

Funding details

• Funding is available between April 1, 2027 and March 31, 2030.
• The maximum amount available for any one project is $150,000/year.
• Projects may be multiyear in nature (up to three years).
• While not required, applications demonstrating other sources of funding and/or in-kind support will be scored more favourably when evaluated on value for money.
• Per the Government of Canada’s Buy Canadian Policy, funding recipients are encouraged to prioritize Canadian suppliers, materials, and/or content and to provide a simple description on how they have done so in their project. Priority may be given to projects that prioritize Canadian suppliers, materials, or content. Applicants who do not prioritize Canadian suppliers, materials or content are encouraged to include a justification in their application.

Application process

Description of the application process

The CWA requires that applications to the Lake Simcoe FEI be submitted online via the Grants and Contributions Enterprise Management System (GCEMS). The GCEMS is accessed through ECCC’s Single Window system. For additional information on accessing the GCEMS through ECCC’s Single Window system, please see Appendix A.

The CWA may share applications with other funding programs for which applications may be eligible; applicants will be able to opt out of this during the submission process.

The online Application Form for the Lake Simcoe FEI: preventing toxic and nuisance algae funding stream includes nine sections:

• Section 1: Applicant Information
• Section 2: Project Information
• Section 3: Project Work Plan
• Section 4: Evaluation Plan and Performance Measures
• Section 5: Lake Simcoe FEI – Toxic and nuisance algae (program-specific section)  
• Section 6: Project Budget
• Section 7: Official Languages
• Section 8: Other Supporting Information
• Section 9: Certification

In Section 1: Applicant Information, provide basic information about your group as well as contact information for the individual leading the application.

In Section 2: Project Information, provide basic information about the proposed project, including the project title and location of the project, the project start and end date, the project goals/objectives, a brief general description of the proposed project, the experience of project team members and the financial and management capacity of the organization submitting the project application. If your project is approved for funding, the summary description you provide in your application may be made available to the public.

In Section 3: Project Work Plan, provide details on the activities that will be undertaken for the duration of the project.

The Project Work Plan must:

• describe how the project is relevant to achieving the goal of reducing phosphorus loads to Lake Simcoe
• clearly demonstrate relevant, clear and appropriate methods of achieving project results (e.g., project outputs, outcomes, and expected results)
• explain how the project will be completed effectively and on time, including:
  • project goals and activities
  • project partners
  • techniques involved
  • performance measures
  • milestones and timelines for each activity

Project outputs are specific products or services that are to be produced in order to generate the desired outcomes. Several activities can contribute to one output. Outputs answer the question: “What will the funding produce?” Are the outputs measurable, attainable, and realistic? They should reflect the project objectives. Examples of outputs include, but are not limited to:

• report on threat for migratory land birds
• data produced of species at risk
• website created

Project outcomes are the change or benefit that occurs as a result of the outputs. Outcomes can be short, medium or long term; are not fully within the control of the project team but are influenced by the work and outputs achieved and focus on quality, behaviour, capacity and/or conditions. Project outcomes need to be associated with the achievement of one or more of the program outcomes described in the applicant guide. Examples of outcomes include, but are not limited to:

• increased public knowledge of species at risk
• increased collaboration within Canadian and international research and communities related to CWA biodiversity priorities
• reduce plastic pollution by X% by 20XX

Expected results indicate the supporting documentation that will be provided to demonstrate the achievement for this activity (report, presentation, data collected, evaluation plan, surveys and questionnaires, focus groups, documents and recordings, etc.)

In Section 4: Evaluation Plan and Performance Measures, provide details on how the expected results and successes of the project will be measured.

For the project evaluation plan, describe how the project's goals and objectives will be achieved. Please outline the methodology that will be used to measure the project's expected results.

For key performance indicators, present the target value for the key performance indicators that the project will be measured against.  For example, the total annual reduction of phosphorus loads to the Lake because of project activities, the number of hectares enrolled in best management practices, the number of Indigenous organizations/communities participating in the project, etc.

In Section 5: Lake Simcoe FEI – Toxic and nuisance algae (program-specific section), provide information about various aspects of the proposed project, including demonstration that it meets the eligibility requirements as well as details related to results, uptake and engagement, the method of calculating phosphorus load reductions, the geographic scope, the project work plan, permits and the project budget.

When providing a description of outreach and engagement activities, please ensure it includes details on how the project will promote uptake to a wider community to foster the adoption of best management practices and partner organizations that will be involved. Descriptions should outline communities and/or networks that will be targeted and how they will be reached. Descriptions of outreach actions, products and timelines should be included.

In Section 6: Project Budget, provide the total amount of CWA funding that is being requested for the proposed project, outline the project’s budget and give an estimation of its forecasted expenses organized according to a set of pre-defined cost categories (e.g. salaries and wages; management and professional services; travel; and, material and supplies costs). The estimated cost of all project expenditures should reflect fair market values at the standard rate for that product or service in your area.

In this Section, you are also required to provide details regarding the project's fiscal year breakdown. Determine the number of years of support from the CWA that your project requires (up to a maximum of 3 years) and indicate how the total amount of support requested (up to $150,000 per year) will be allocated on an annual basis.

Finally, in this section you are required to indicate other funding sources for the project if applicable. Applicants are encouraged to identify any additional partner funding and/or in-kind project support that has been obtained and/or that is being sought. Please note that while this is not a requirement, applications demonstrating other sources of financial and/or in-kind support will be scored more favourably when evaluated on value for money. Provide letters of financial/in-kind support for the project in the Other Supporting Information section.

In Section 7: Official Languages, provide information related to the need to accommodate official language minority communities with respect to the proposed project’s activities.

In Section 8: Other Supporting Information, provide further information relevant to the project that was not captured elsewhere in the application if needed. Please ensure any letters of financial/in-kind support are provided here.

In Section 9: Certification, certify that information provided in the Application Form is accurate and that you, as the applicant, have authorization to sign on behalf of the group.

Other instructions

Applicants are encouraged to provide the details necessary to give a full response to each section of the Application Form but should be as concise as possible.

Please ensure that all sections of the Application Form are complete prior to submission. Incomplete applications will not be reviewed.

Applicants may include additional information or documents with their application (such as examples of possible products, photographs, maps, etc.). If submitting additional material, it must be clearly marked and referenced accordingly in the relevant section of the application. All such material must be submitted in accordance with the instructions found online in the Other Supporting Information section.

Note: if you are unable to complete and submit your application via the online application portal and wish to discuss options, please contact lakesimcoe-lacsimcoe@cwa-aec.gc.ca.

Deadline and submission instructions

Applications are due by 3:00 p.m. EST on November 26, 2026. Late submissions will not be considered. 

Selection and evaluation process

Selection process

Project applications will undergo a two-stage review process:

• Administrative review by the CWA to ensure applications are complete and meet program eligibility requirements.
• Project evaluation by the CWA against evaluation criteria. The CWA may seek advice on submissions from external advisors with knowledge and expertise relevant to the application; however, funding decisions will be made by the CWA.

Administrative review

To be considered eligible for funding, project proposals must meet the following requirements:

• all application sections are complete
• the applicant is eligible to receive funding
• the amount requested is within the funding specifications
• the application is clearly and directly related to the eligible funding categories (refer to project type, project activities, and project costs eligible for funding)
• actions described in the application will result in the reduction of phosphorus loads to Lake Simcoe
• actions to be implemented occur within the Lake Simcoe drainage basin

Project evaluation

Eligible projects will be assessed on the extent to which applications meet the following evaluation criteria:

Results

• The actions described in the application will lead to increased implementation and adoption of Best Management Practices or other approaches resulting in reductions of phosphorus loads to Lake Simcoe.
• The actions described in the application include an innovative approach or technology that will result in reducing phosphorus loads to Lake Simcoe. Note that the inclusion of innovative approach or technology will be considered an asset but is not required to receive funding.
• The applicant commits to sharing results and data openly.

Uptake and Engagement

• The application clearly describes outreach or knowledge mobilization activities that promote uptake to a wider community using new or existing memberships and networks. Details for outreach or knowledge mobilization should:
  • demonstrate how the project will promote action and uptake to a wider community to foster adoption of BMPs or innovative technologies or other approaches.
  • identify partner organizations that will be involved.
  • outline any partnership or engagement with Indigenous organizations or communities through project development and delivery.
  • outline the communities and / or networks that will be targeted or created, and how (e.g. through educational materials, events, technology demonstrations, social media, other).
  • detail outreach activities and products, and timelines for these.
  • describe the method that will be used to measure broader uptake.

Project feasibility/likelihood of success

• The application activities support the goals and objectives of the project.
• The application’s work plan is realistic and achievable with measurable goals and indicators. The work plan:
  • describes how the project is relevant to achieving the goal of reducing phosphorus loads to Lake Simcoe.
  • explains how the project goals and objectives will be achieved effectively and on time, including activities, actions and timelines, the techniques involved and performance indicators.
  • clearly demonstrates relevant, clear, and appropriate methods of achieving project results.
• The applicant has project expertise and experience in this field.
• Required permits have been identified and/or obtained.

Estimating nutrient reduction

• The applicant agrees to work with the CWA to collect and provide information to support estimating phosphorus load reductions resulting from project activities (annually and at project completion).
• The applicant provides information on project activities that could support estimating phosphorus load reduction.

Geographic scope/priority area

• The project occurs in the Lake Simcoe drainage basin.

Value for money

• The project represents good value for dollars invested.
• The project includes cash and/or in-kind contributions from other sources.

Notification

Once departmental approvals in principle have been confirmed, all applicants (both successful and unsuccessful) will be notified in writing. If your project is approved in principle, you will be contacted to negotiate a Contribution Agreement, which outlines the terms and conditions of funding. Please note that the letter of notification informing that your project has been approved in principle will also be shared with relevant federal MPs. We will work towards completing this process within 40 working days. Please note that meeting this standard for the development of a Contribution Agreement is a shared responsibility and largely depends on you submitting all required documentation to CWA officials in a diligent and timely fashion.   

If a Contribution Agreement is signed, expenditures made by your organization towards the project after the date of official notification and before the Contribution Agreement is signed may be considered for reimbursement.

Project implementation can begin after notification of project approval, pending the execution of project agreements or contracts where applicable.

For clarification on any of the above, please do not hesitate to contact lakesimcoe-lacsimcoe@cwa-aec.gc.ca.

Appendix A: Online GCEMS application process

The CWA requires that applications to the Lake Simcoe FEI: Preventing toxic and nuisance algae funding stream be submitted online via the Grants and Contributions Enterprise Management System (GCEMS). The GCEMS is accessed through the department’s Single Window system.

To sign in to the department’s Single Window system select your language preference on the welcome page and when prompted to choose a sign-in method, select the GCKey sign-in option. If you already have a GCKey username and password enter them in the appropriate spaces.

If you do not have a GCKey username and password proceed through the sign-up process to obtain your username and password.

New users to the Single Window system will then be prompted to enter their email address and guided through a process to create a user profile.

In order to gain access to the link that will allow you to navigate to the GCEMS, you must add an organization to your profile. On the menu select “Organizations” and follow the instructions on the web page that opens. Note that when entering the organization’s business number you may use one of the following; business number; GST number; charitable number/non-profit organization registration number; or First Nations Band number. Once you have added your organization, select “Home” on the menu to navigate to the webpage that contains the link to the GCEMS.

Once you have accessed the GCEMS site, click on the link “View funding opportunities” on the left hand side of the GCEMS “My applications” webpage. On the “View funding opportunities” webpage, locate the Lake Simcoe Freshwater Ecosystem Initiative in the “List of opportunities” table and view the funding opportunity information by clicking on the associated link in the “Action(s)” column. On the “View funding opportunity information” webpage, click on “Apply” to open the online application process for the Lake Simcoe Freshwater Ecosystem Initiative.

Information on how to access and use ECCC’s Single Window system.

For technical assistance with ECCC’s Single Window system, please contact gigu-swim@ec.gc.ca.

Information on how to access the GCEMS.

For technical assistance with the GCEMS, please contact sgesc-gcems@ec.gc.ca.