This is my first column for Castanet since being re-elected. So, first and foremost, “Thank you” to all those who have given me the opportunity to continue to represent the constituents of Kelowna-Lake Country. I will keep working hard for you and ensure that our communities are well-represented in Ottawa.

Secondly, I want to wish Castanet a Happy 8th Birthday! I know many in our community rely on Castanet for the most up-to-date, local and national information. Congratulations to all those involved in making www.castanet.org the informative and vibrant resource it is. You do a great job!

Now down to business.

A frequent request in our constituency office concerns funding especially what is available and how is it obtained. For your information my staff has come up with a comprehensive list of government and private sector funding available to individuals and organizations that may be looking for help. Whether you need to make home repairs or are an organization looking for assistance with a current project or program, you will find this list helpful.

As always, if you have any questions or need assistance, do not hesitate to contact my office at 470-5075 or at ron@cannan.ca. My staff will be happy to help you.

Funding Resources – Federal Government

Service Canada
Service Canada helps Canadians access a wide range of the government services and benefits. There are sections in this website for youth and students, aboriginal peoples, families and children, newcomers to Canada, people with disabilities, seniors, veterans, etc.
http://www.servicecanada.gc.ca/en/home.shtml

Aboriginal Funding Tool (Aboriginal Canada Portal)
This interactive tool will help you find different types of funding available specifically for Aboriginal peoples in Canada:
http://www.aboriginalcanada.gc.ca/acp/
apps/fundingtool.nsf/index_en.html

Rural Canadians’ Guide to Programs and Services (Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada)
This .pdf file contains extensive information regarding funding programs for rural and remote Canada. It has information from across all the departments and agencies of the federal government and includes region-specific information:
http://www.rural.gc.ca/publications/guide07_e.pdf

Financial Support Programs (Canadian Heritage)
A complete listing of funding and support programs from Canadian Heritage; these programs are designed to promote culture, the arts, heritage, official languages, citizenship and participation,
multiculturalism, youth, sport and Aboriginal initiatives. Financial support for these programs includes grants and contributions, bursaries, tax credits, and other means:
http://www.canadianheritage.gc.ca/pc-ch/
pubs/2007/tdm_e.cfm


Grant Programs (Canada Council for the Arts)
The Canada Council for the Arts offers a broad range of grants and services to professional Canadian artists and arts organizations in dance, media arts, music, theatre, writing and publishing, interdisciplinary work and performance art, and the visual arts. This webpage offers access to information regarding all the Council’s programming:
http://canadacouncil.ca/grants/

Sources of Financing (Canada Business)
Sources of financing can help you locate traditional or alternative sources of financing for your small business. You will find an extensive directory of Canadian financial providers, including both the private sector and government, information on different types of financing, and tips to help you secure financing:
http://www.canadabusiness.ca/epic/site/
sof-sdf.nsf/en/h_so00000e.html

ecoENERGY Retrofit Grants and Incentives (Office of Energy Efficiency OEE)
Natural Resources Canada's (NRCan's) ecoENERGY Retrofit program provides financial support to homeowners, small and medium-sized businesses, public institutions and industrial facilities to help them implement energy saving projects that reduce energy-related greenhouse gases (GHGs) and air pollution, thereby contributing to a cleaner environment for all Canadians: http://oee.nrcan.gc.ca/corporate/
retrofit-summary.cfm?attr=20

Incentives and Rebates (Environment Canada)
Take advantage of grants, rebates, discounts and other incentives available to help you use less energy, switch to renewable energy and produce less waste at home and on the road:
http://www.ec.gc.ca/incitatifs-incentives/index_eng.asp

Funding Programs (Department of Justice Canada)
The Department of Justice Canada offers several funding and grant programs to community groups and governments across Canada:
http://canada.justice.gc.ca/eng/pi/pb-dgp/prog.html

Grants and Incentives (Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation)
CMHC provides grants and sponsors partnerships as a way of encouraging research and initiatives that lead to solutions to the housing needs of Canadians:
http://www.cmhc-schl.gc.ca/en/inpr/graw/index.cfm

Funding for Business (Western Economic Diversification Canada)
Helps to fill the gap between traditional bank lending and the availability of venture capital for small business by working in partnership with western financial institutions and not-for-profit organizations: http://www.wd.gc.ca/259_ENG_ASP.asp

Funding Resources – Private Sector Publications
Resources are also available through private sector entities. Please find below three guides which can be purchased online. If you or your organization are unable to afford to purchase them, please contact your local public library to see if they have them in their collection.

1. Guide to Canadian Grants & Assistance Programs (2008)
This guide includes over 1,000 grants & assistance programs from Federal & Provincial governments and private sources. For more information: Tel: 1-800-464-2048 or http://pages.interlog.com/~cgs/

2. Canadian Directory to Foundations and Corporations - Imagine Canada (2008)
This online database is a compilation of non-profit organizations and charitable foundations in Canada. It is a key resource for accessing non-government funding programs. http://www.imaginecanada.ca/en/node/22

3. Canadian Subsidy Directory (2008)
This publication includes over 3200 programs from both the federal and provincial/territorial governments. This is an excellent resource for funding requests because it combines non-governmental and non-profit organizations with their government program counterparts in a single publication.
http://www.canadianpublications.org/