We’ve now realized that, especially when it comes to GMF financing, we won’t be able to keep meeting the demand unless we change the way we invest our resources.

Instead of just helping a single municipality with each grant or loan, GMF must invest that money in the best projects — projects that can be replicated and can serve as leading examples that other communities can follow. FCM can then share the lessons and knowledge that come out of those projects with other municipalities. Equipped with that knowledge, the next community to tackle a similar project will already be two steps ahead.

If we support the best projects, a single grant or loan can benefit dozens of communities, not just one. We expect that GMF can have a greater impact on a greater number of communities by sharing knowledge than it can through funding alone. 

In 2005, we created a competitive process for evaluating applications for capital project loans and grants. The new process allows us to focus on the best projects from municipalities of all sizes and from all regions of Canada. 

In 2008, we plan to change our process for evaluating grant applications for feasibility studies, field tests and sustainable community plans.

On May 1, 2007, FCM announced an eight-month suspension in new applications for GMF study grants. This temporary suspension only applies to new applications for study grants; it will not affect applicants whose Intent to Apply has already been received or approved, nor will it affect request for proposal (RFP) competitions for capital project loans and grants.

We need this pause so we can deal with the applications we already have and make our transition to new criteria. The new criteria will establish more specific guidelines and tell applicants up front what kinds of studies GMF is most likely to fund.

Read more CSCD newsletter articles.