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Indigenous Engagement Requirements Funding Program

Last updated on May 7, 2026

The Indigenous Engagement Requirements Funding Program (IERFP) provided funding for the implementation of the Indigenous engagement requirements within the Emergency and Disaster Management Act (EDMA).

All B.C. First Nations and local authorities were eligible for the funding before March 31, 2025 to engage in activities outlined in the program guide under resources to support capacity needs, relationship-building and collaboration. 

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Program update

Additional time has been offered to IERFP recipients to spend their funding through a signed Modification Agreement, to support planning and delivery of activities that promote, encourage, and strengthen relationship‑building between local authorities and Indigenous governing bodies.

Recipients who signed extension agreements in 2026 for funds received in spring 2024 or 2025, have until March 31, 2027, to spend the funds on eligible activities.

Important notes:

  • Program staff continue to be available to help with questions from IERFP recipients on eligible activities and costs
  • Funding under this program was available in 2024 and 2025, and no further funding is available through IERFP
  • Final reporting for recipients who have a signed Modification Agreement in 2026 is March 31, 2027

For more information, please contact EMCR.IERFunding@gov.bc.ca.

Who received funding

Funding was offered to every local authority and First Nation in B.C. and distributed to eligible recipients in spring 2024 and spring 2025. 

Guidance on how to engage in activities is outlined in the Indigenous Engagement Requirements Interim Guidance Document and other documents under resources.

Program reporting

In February 2026, Final Progress Report templates were sent to all IERFP recipients to be completed and returned by March 31, 2026. The report should demonstrate that all funding was expended and detail outcomes, to complete the program. 

Recipients were also provided with a Modification Agreement for extension, to be used by those who had not yet expended their funds to allow them more time to plan and deliver IERFP activities. 

Reporting deadlines

  • Recipients who have signed a Modification Agreement for extension in 2026 have until March 31, 2027 to complete their Final Progress Report
  • The Final Progress Report provided to recipients in 2026 may be completed and returned to program staff at any time before March 31, 2027 
  • Program staff will send a reminder to recipients in 2027 to return the Final Progress Report, which may include an updated template

Program timeline

The key dates for participants to be aware of:

  • December 2023 and September 2024 – IERFP Funding announced
  • December 2024 to March 31, 2025 – Submission of Interim Progress reports and Modification Agreements to access year 2 program funding
  • April 2025 to November 2025 – Submission of year 1 Funding Progress reports or extension Modification Agreements for recipients not participating in year 2
  • February 2026 – Final reporting guidance and Modification Agreement distributed to recipients
  • March 31, 2026 – Final date for recipients to submit Final Progress Report or signed Modification Agreement to extend spending timeline to March 31, 2027
  • March 31, 2027 – Final day to spend all funding (if signed Modification Agreement was submitted before March 31, 2026)

Contact and resources

Contact the program team for more information. 

Resources