Modernization of the Environmental Trust Fund - What We Heard Report

There were two parallel streams of engagement. The department retained one consultant who supported ELG in its engagement with First Nations, and another consultant to support the industry and stakeholder engagement process. Overall, First Nations recognize that the ETF funding is critical and recommended that a dedicated Indigenous ETF funding stream be created to expand eligibility criteria and support diverse First Nations-led projects. Stakeholders view the ETF as essential core funding and a powerful lever that enables baseline work that can help to unlock federal dollars; many warned that loss or reduction of ETF funding would be disastrous for their organizations. The most common program gap identified by stakeholders was multi-year funding (66%). Other identified gaps included capacity support for smaller organizations, reduced administrative burden, and improved communications. Stakeholders rated ETF project evaluation criteria in order of importance: the long-term impact of the project, measurable environmental outcomes and benefits to local communities. Modernization priorities from stakeholders included multi-year funding, earlier predictable decisions, equitable access to funding, streamlined application and claims processes, greater flexibility for equipment and operational costs, and incentives for project partnerships.

Modernization priorities from First Nations include multi-year funding, greater flexibility for operational costs, earlier funding decisions, ELG staff support for applications and reporting, and priority area setting using a two-eyed-seeing approach.

Priority areas

• Participants highlighted the importance of priority areas such as wetland and watershed protection, species at risk, coastal restoration, and ecosystem-based projects and their alignment with First Nations' worldviews. 
• Participants emphasized the importance of Indigenous knowledge-led approaches, particularly environmental monitoring, and inclusion of coastal and marine waste management. These priorities reflect territorial history, stewardship, responsibilities, and reliance on marine ecosystems.

Reporting and data

• Participants identified ETF funding as critical for local data collection efforts, such as monitoring and erosion assessments.

Overall

• The ETF was described as highly valuable for supporting meaningful, community and land-based initiatives for First Nations.