Funding for First Nations with claims at the Specific Claims Tribunal of Canada
Crown-Indigenous Relations and Northern Affairs Canada can provide funding to support First Nations who choose to file a specific claim with the Specific Claims Tribunal of Canada.
On this page
About the program
In 2008, the Specific Claims Tribunal Act received royal assent to create the Specific Claims Tribunal. Also included in the act are provisions to make funding available to First Nations who choose to file a specific claim with the tribunal.
Because the amount of funding available is decided each year by parliament, there can be no guarantee that funds will be available for all requests or all eligible expenses. As a result, funding is provided on a case-by-case basis.
All funding requests must be approved by Crown-Indigenous Relations and Northern Affairs Canada prior to any costs being incurred. Consult the Guidelines for Funding Claims at the Specific Claims Tribunal of Canada for eligible and non-eligible expenses.
To find out when and how a claim can be submitted, consult: Specific Claims Tribunal procedures.
Who can apply?
First Nations who have filed a specific claim with the Specific Claims Tribunal can apply for funding.
First Nations can file a specific claim with the tribunal in one of four situations, if:
- a claim has not been accepted for negotiation by the Government of Canada
- the Government of Canada fails to advise the First Nation within three years of filing its claim with the Minister of Crown-Indigenous Relations and Northern Affairs whether the claim will be accepted for negotiation
- all parties agree
- three years of negotiations do not result in a final settlement
To find out more, consult eligible recipients.
Deadline
There is no deadline. First Nations may apply for funding as soon as their specific claim has been filed with the tribunal. However, it is recommended to apply by January 1 of each year as funding is limited.
How to apply
Send your request for funding, including a budget of anticipated expenses and evidence that a claim has been referred to the tribunal, to:
François Levesque Perreault
Director, Cross Sector Initiatives Directorate
Resolution and Partnerships
Crown-Indigenous Relations and Northern Affairs Canada
25 Eddy Street
Gatineau QC K1A 0H4