Indigenous Engagement Requirements Funding Program

Last updated on February 6, 2026

Recipients are eligible for a program extension. With a signed Modification Agreement, the spending timeline may be extended to March 31, 2027. More information is available under the program update.

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.

Program update

February 2026: If recipients are unable to spend their IERFP funds by March 31, 2026, they may request an extension. To avoid returning any unspent funds, recipients must sign and return a Modification Agreement by March 31, 2026, that will extend the timeline until March 31, 2027. For more information, please contact EMCR.IERFunding@gov.bc.ca.

This added flexibility is intended to support recipients with planning and delivery of activities that promote, encourage, and strengthen relationship‑building between local authorities and Indigenous governing bodies. Guidance on eligible activities is available in the IERFP Program Guide, Indigenous Engagement Requirements Interim Guidance Document, and other resources listed below.

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.

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

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

Program reporting

Recipients who received program funding in 2024 were required to submit an Interim Progress Report by March 31, 2025.

Recipients who did not submit the report within the timeline must either:
- Submit a year 1 Funding Progress Report detailing how funds were spent, or
- Sign and return an extension Modification Agreement if the funds are not yet fully expended

Recipients who have received year 2 funding will receive materials to support final program reporting requirements before March 31, 2026.

Update: Recipients who have remaining IERFP funds will have the option to submit a Modification Agreement (deadline is March 31, 2026) to extend their spending timeline to March 31, 2027. Please contact EMCR.IERFunding@gov.bc.ca.

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 date for recipients to submit Final Progress Report or signed Modification Agreement to extend spending timeline
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.

Email: EMCR.IERFunding@gov.bc.ca

Resources

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The B.C. Public Service acknowledges the territories of First Nations around B.C. and is grateful to carry out our work on these lands. We acknowledge the rights, interests, priorities, and concerns of all Indigenous Peoples - First Nations, Métis, and Inuit - respecting and acknowledging their distinct cultures, histories, rights, laws, and governments.

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