News & Updates

The Province of Nova Scotia has launched the Stormwater Transformation Optimization and Resilience for Municipalities (STORM) program, a one-time $1.9-million program supporting municipalities with stormwater planning, flood-risk assessment and climate resilience.

Eligible projects may include hydrological modelling, mapping, stormwater infrastructure inventories and assessments, planning and feasibility studies, and updates to bylaws, design standards and governance models.

Eligible applicants: Nova Scotia municipalities, towns and villages.

Funding: Up to 50% of eligible costs for individual applications and up to 75% for joint applications.

Deadline: November 12, 2026

The Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission (CRTC) has expanded its Broadband Fund to support projects that help prevent and reduce the impact of Internet and cellphone service outages.

The change follows a public consultation and is intended to improve the reliability of telecommunications services in rural, remote and Indigenous communities, including during severe weather and other emergencies.

The Broadband Fund supports efforts to improve connectivity in underserved communities across Canada. To date, CRTC-funded projects have improved high-speed Internet and cellphone services in more than 320 communities, including 135 Indigenous communities. Projects are helping connect more than 54,000 homes, improve cellphone service along more than 650 kilometres of major roads, and build approximately 6,000 kilometres of fibre to communities.

The CRTC says reliable communications are particularly important during emergencies, when service outages can affect access to essential services, including emergency assistance.

The expanded funding support is part of the CRTC’s ongoing efforts to make the Broadband Fund faster and easier to access while improving the reliability of connectivity across Canada.

EcoAction Stream 2: Freshwater Sustainability & Innovation

Funding of $25,000–$200,000 for projects that improve freshwater health, support innovation, and strengthen freshwater management across Canada.

Deadline: September 23, 2026

The Climate Ready Infrastructure Support program offers free technical consulting to eligible fire departments and municipalities to strengthen climate resilience and emergency preparedness.

Deadline: September 30, 2026.

The Canada Cultural Spaces Fund (CCSF) has been updated, with changes to eligible projects and the current funding period.

The CCSF is currently accepting applications for projects with eligible expenses incurred between April 1, 2026, and March 31, 2028, while funding remains available.

Key changes include:

• Planning and feasibility studies are no longer accepted, including infrastructure planning and design documents, feasibility studies and facility assessments.
• Construction projects are no longer accepted, although exceptional circumstances may apply. Applicants should contact a CCSF program advisor before applying if their project involves construction.
• Funding continues to support renovations and the purchase and installation of specialized equipment for arts and heritage cultural spaces.
• Applications are accepted on an ongoing basis while funding remains available.
• The program is highly competitive, and applicants are encouraged to contact their regional CCSF advisor before submitting an application.
• Special consideration may be given to projects from rural and remote areas and Indigenous, underrepresented or equity communities and groups.

Municipalities remain eligible to apply, provided they have historically demonstrated a commitment to arts or heritage activities.

Review the updated program information and confirm your project’s eligibility with a CCSF program advisor before applying.

The Energy Innovation Program’s Innovation Ecosystem Enablers Call for Proposals supports projects that strengthen Canada’s energy innovation ecosystem. The current focus area funds new or expanded testing facilities that provide broad-based, shared-use testing and validation services to energy innovators.

Deadline: ongoing intake

The Resilient Communities Through FireSmart (RCF) Program provides funding to help Nova Scotia municipalities strengthen wildfire prevention and mitigation efforts. As part of a federal-provincial initiative, the program supports community capacity building, governance, training, and FireSmart projects that reduce wildfire risk and improve community resilience.

Deadline: August 28, 2026

This initiative is designed to help communities enhance the public spaces and systems Atlantic Canadians use every day by supporting a wide range of regionally significant infrastructure projects that improve community spaces and increase climate resiliency. Register for a session here.

• English Session: Thursday, July 23, 2026 | 9:30 a.m. to 10:00 a.m. (Atlantic)
• French Session: Thursday, July 23, 2026 | 10:30 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. (Atlantic)

NARF Projects Grants support organizations delivering anti-racism initiatives that address systemic racism, promote public awareness, strengthen research and education, and foster cultural and intercultural community-building across Canada. Projects must take place between April 1, 2027, and March 31, 2028.

Deadline to submit an Expression of Interest: September 2, 2026.

Information sessions:

• English: July 27, 2026, 3:00-4:00 PM AT
• French: July 30, 2026, 3:00-4:00 PM AT

Green Municipal Fund funding supports affordable housing providers in developing retrofit pathway studies that guide energy-efficient building upgrades over time. Rather than focusing on a single deep retrofit, these studies evaluate phased retrofit options over 10- and 20-year periods, helping organizations integrate energy efficiency into asset management and capital planning.

Green Municipal Fund funding helps affordable housing providers complete the assessments and planning needed before undertaking deep energy retrofit projects. Grants support pre-construction activities that evaluate technical, financial, and implementation approaches to achieve significant energy savings and greenhouse gas (GHG) reductions.

Housing, Infrastructure and Communities Canada has opened the application portal for shovel-ready projects under the Build Communities Strong Fund – Direct Delivery stream. Eligible projects must be ready to begin construction before the end of 2026. Applications are due July 15, 2026 (or August 12, 2026 for Indigenous and territorial applicants).

Projects that are not yet shovel-ready may still be submitted as an Expression of Interest for future consideration.

The OHPR Community Fund supports community-led projects that recruit, welcome, and retain healthcare professionals in Nova Scotia. Funding is available for initiatives that improve recruitment efforts, reduce social and cultural barriers, and create welcoming communities. Priority is given to projects that provide orientation and settlement supports for healthcare professionals, particularly internationally educated healthcare professionals (IEHPs), and address communities with the greatest recruitment needs.

The Biodiversity Restoration Initiative supports tree-planting and habitat-restoration projects that help reverse biodiversity loss across Canada. Through Tree Canada’s National Greening Program, funding and technical support are available for projects that restore ecosystems, improve wildlife habitat, enhance biodiversity, strengthen ecological resilience, and support the recovery of Species at Risk.

The National Anti-Racism Fund (NARF) Events and Youth Initiatives Grants support community-based events and youth-led or youth-focused initiatives that advance anti-racism, inclusion, intercultural understanding, and community engagement across Canada. Funding is available for conferences, workshops, festivals, exhibits, reconciliation activities, and other public events that address systemic racism, support research and education, raise public awareness, or promote cultural and intercultural community-building.