Solicitation Invitation: Guide for Applicants
Indigenous Community Corrections Initiative 2023

Aboriginal Community Safety Development Contribution Program (ACSDCP)

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Section 1: Overview of the Call/Solicitation for Proposals

A result of a Private Member's Bill in 2021, the Government of Canada launched the Federal Framework to Reduce Recidivism (FFRR) on June 22, 2022, which included the continuation of the Indigenous Community Corrections Initiative (ICCI). The ICCI is designed to address issues surrounding overrepresentation of Indigenous people in the criminal justice system by acting as an early intervention mean under the FFRR's implementation plan. The ICCI supports alternatives to custody and reintegration projects responsive to the unique circumstances of Indigenous people in Canada by providing culturally relevant services that may include counselling, treatment, life skills coaching, family reunification, and addressing the effects of residential schools and involvement with child welfare systems. The ICCI will use a two-pronged approach by issuing both open and targeted calls for proposals to maximize the reach and uptake of the program by generating potential recipients and building on existing relationships.

All eligible applications received for this call will undergo a criteria-based assessment process (ICCI 2023 Call For Proposals - Application assessment tool) to ensure that applications are evaluated objectively against the same assessment criteria. Successful applicants will be required to adhere to a reporting and data collection schedule conditions and implemented projects will include an evaluation. Proposals will also be shared with Correctional Service of Canada, Parole Board Canada and Justice Canada to ensure there is no overlap or duplication.

Section 2: Objectives and Principles

2.1 Objectives

This program provides contributions to Indigenous organizations (on and off-reserve), Indigenous governments and municipalities in collaboration with Indigenous organizations and or communities to develop tailored approaches to community safety that are responsive to the concerns, priorities and unique circumstances of Indigenous communities. Becoming more responsive requires engaging Indigenous communities in identifying issues and developing solutions; building the capacity of Indigenous communities to develop and deliver projects; addressing funding issues; and ensuring that relevant programs are adaptable to the diverse needs of Indigenous communities.

The Aboriginal Community Safety Development Contribution Program (ACSDCP) includes two initiatives and this call for proposals is specific to the ICCI, and the objectives to be met are:

This program, through transfer payments, is structured to link community solutions with policy development. The starting points are appropriate community-based projects taking into account the successful community reintegration of Indigenous offenders. The end points are increased knowledge within communities and government as well as effective and relevant government policies.

2.2 Principles

The key principles listed below guide the Program in this solicitation. Applicants must apply all of these principles to their proposals when submitting a request for funding:

PS, through the ICCI will work to:

N.B. Funding applications that seek 5 year implementation funding will be asked to collect additional data for research. The data collected will be used for sharing best practices and knowledge development, as well as tailoring the ICCI program to better support Indigenous-led efforts in delivering culturally appropriate services. This research is not intended to evaluate individual recipients or the services they offer but to gain knowledge that will be shared broadly to provide communities and organizations with concrete examples of approaches that have had positive outcomes.

Section 3: Funding Amount and Duration

The Program has received a total of $56,010,000 in funding over 5 Fiscal Years for this initiative and a portion of those funds have been set aside for this solicitation.

The maximum amount of contribution payable to each recipient will be limited by the vote appropriated for this purpose and will not exceed $1,000,000 per recipient, per year. The assistance is provided only at the minimum level to further the attainment of the stated transfer payment program objectives and expected results.

Section 4: Eligibility

To be eligible for funding, proposed projects must align with the Program's Objectives and Principles, described above. Applicants must also clearly demonstrate how their funding request meets the following eligibility criteria for recipients and activities.

4.1 Eligible Recipients

The following types of applicants are eligible for funding:

4.2 Eligible Activities include:

Projects will be reviewed against selection criteria set out under each category below.

A. Knowledge Building (36 months maximum)

Supports issues of reintegration and alternatives to incarceration through identification of information gaps and assemblage of information):

B. Knowledge Sharing (12 months maximum)

Supports the dissemination and communication of knowledge and information to enhance community readiness and capacity prior to the development of alternatives to incarceration or reintegration support projects:

C. Capacity Building (24 months maximum)

Supports the development of abilities and competencies in Indigenous communities to address alternatives to incarceration or reintegration support:

D. Implementation Readiness (24 months maximum)

Supports the development of implementation plans and enhance recipients' ability to support reintegration efforts (i.e., development of networks and relationships to support offenders or the development of alternatives to incarceration):

E. Project Implementation (60 months maximum)

Supports alternatives to incarceration and reintegration support that can involve multiple partners including federal, provincial and community governments and organizations:

4.3 Eligible Expenditures

Funds may be used only for expenses directly related to the activities of the project identified in a budget approved by the Department. Eligible expenses include expenditures such as:

  1. Fees and disbursements;
  2. Salaries and wage for permanent or temporary professional, clerical, technical and administrative services, including contributions to the Unemployment Insurance Commission, the Canada Pension Plan, the Workers' Compensation Board, the Provincial Pension Plan or other Employee Benefit Plans;
  3. Services for personnel administration, accounting and bookkeeping, processing lawyers' accounts and audit fees;
  4. Rent, normal utilities such as electricity, heat, water and telephone, maintenance of offices and other buildings, insurance and taxes, where these expenses are directly related to the project and are not core or ongoing expenses;
  5. Office equipment and minor capital acquisitions net of disposal. Minor capital acquisitions are defined as less than $10,000 per acquisition. The maximum expenditure threshold will be set at the time of Contribution Agreement development;
  6. Program supplies and materials;
  7. Travel and living expenses related to the delivery of the project, including transportation rental fees in accordance with the National Joint Council directive on Travel;
  8. Training programs;
  9. Administrative expenses should not exceed 15% of the total contribution provided by the Department for a specific project, if not already included within other line items. If administrative expenses are already included in other line items, then the percentage will be reduced accordingly;
  10. Honorarium. In Indigenous communities in Canada, it is deemed culturally inappropriate to "sell" knowledge as this knowledge cannot be owned by any one individual or institution. As a result, in Canada, Indigenous communities provide honorariums as a token of appreciation for services involving, or contributing to, cultural, traditional, or spiritual activities for which custom and/or propriety forbids a price to be set. Historically, Indigenous people were honoured with the gift of food, clothing or other necessities. In contemporary times, monetary gifts may be presented if it is given in the spirit of a gift, and not that of payment, in exchange for a culturally relevant service. Honoraria will be considered in line with accepted practices for a particular region;
  11. Computer services, library expenses, research costs and collection and analysis of statistics;
  12. Public awareness and educational activities consistent with the project's objectives;
  13. Translation and simultaneous interpretation activities;
  14. Shipping charges, postage, licenses, and other fees;
  15. Printing and distribution activities; and
  16. Hospitality, based on the following criteria:

    In Indigenous communities in Canada, a great deal of the work that is done takes place in a communal setting – often, this takes the form of gatherings or ceremonies that have practical uses as well as fulfilling some of the spiritual and cultural needs of participants. Often more can be accomplished during a day-long gathering or ceremony than can be done in several meetings that take place on a regular basis or back to back. This is true for a number of reasons:

    • events take place that interrupt meetings
    • meetings are necessary for the purpose of doing business with government but not considered culturally important
    • gatherings and ceremonies involve more than just professionals and garner widespread community buy-in and support

    The sharing of food with participants, particularly at events with a cultural or spiritual element, is seen as an integral and important part of Indigenous protocol and culture. As a result, for Indigenous communities in Canada only, hospitality will be considered as an eligible expense for:

    • gatherings
    • feasts
    • ceremonies
    • circles

    Hospitality in this case takes the form of food and drink but does not include alcohol.

In addition to the application form a detailed project workplan and detailed budget will be required as part of the application process.

NOTE: Applicants are not to incur costs prior to the signing of a funding agreement by all Parties.

Section 5: Application and Assessment Process

5.1 Application Process

Public Safety Canada
Crime Prevention Branch
Program Development & Coordination
Indigenous Community Corrections Initiative
340 Laurier Avenue West
Ottawa, ON  K1A 0P8

The deadline for submitting completed Application is June 12, 2023, 11:59pm Pacific Standard Time (PST).

Funding decisions will be made based on a review and approval process by delegated Departmental authorities. Decisions will be made based on a proposal's alignment with the Terms and Conditions of the Aboriginal Community Safety Development Contribution Program.

Priority will be given to proposals received by the closing deadline, but, conditional on fund availability, Public Safety may consider funding applications received outside of this call should they merit consideration.

Successful applications will be determined based on the results of a competitive review process and budgetary considerations. Funding will not be available before December 15, 2023.

Applicants will be notified of the status of their respective applications upon completion of this process.

5.2 Assessment Criteria & Process

The Program will assess applications (ICCI 2023 Call For Proposals - Application assessment tool) with the following criteria:

In order to ensure fairness, transparency and merit, PS will undertake three (3) levels of screening:

Level 1: The Program will assess all applications for “completeness” meaning: a signed application form, detailed workplan, and a project budget with detailed information on budget categories. The Program will notify applicant if key documents are missing and the application is incomplete.

Level 2: Program experts will review successful level 1 applications as per the established eligibility criteria listed in this guide. The Program will notify applicants not meeting these criteria of eligibility.

Public Safety is committed to acknowledging receipt of all applications within 15 business days of receipt of a complete funding application.

Level 3: A review committee of experts will assess eligible applications and provide recommendations to departmental official(s) for final approval. The committee will use pre-established criteria to assess as listed in the guide.

Public Safety is committed to communicating a funding decision within 30 weeks of the recommendations finalized and approved by Departmental Official(s).

Section 6: Other Considerations

6.1 Official Language Requirements

The Government of Canada is committed to enhancing the vitality of English and French linguistic minority communities in Canada (Francophones living outside the province of Quebec and Anglophones living in the province of Quebec), supporting and assisting their development, and fostering the full recognition and use of both official languages in Canadian society. Projects must be accessible in one or both official languages depending on the reach and audience. For additional information, consult the Official Languages Act.

Considerations for Official Language Requirements:

6.2 Gender-based Analysis Requirements

The Government of Canada is committed to Gender-based Analysis Plus (GBA+). GBA+ incorporates consideration of gender as well as other identity factors such as age, education, language, geography, culture and income in the development of policies and programs. Applicants must incorporate these considerations into their submission. More information on GBA+ is available.

6.3 Research Ethics Approval

All projects that involve an intervention research component involving humans must be approved by a research ethics board that adheres to the Tri-Council Policy Statement: Ethical Conduct for Research Involving Humans. In addition, project leads should consult the Tri-Council Policy Statement website before the research portion of the project begins. Research is defined as an activity designed to test a hypothesis or answer a specific research question, permit conclusions to be drawn, and extend knowledge through the use of scientific methods and standardized protocols, systematic collection or analysis of data, or other types of inquiry.

6.4 Intellectual Property

Successful applicants in this Solicitation will retain ownership of any intellectual property they create in carrying out this project.

Upon signing a funding agreement, successful applicants will grant the Minister a royalty-free, permanent and non-exclusive license to use, produce, reproduce, distribute, translate, publish or perform, in any way, any intellectual property created by the applicant in carrying out the project or an adaptation, in any language, for any governmental non-commercial purpose.

6.5 Evaluation

Public Safety funding programs are evaluated on a five (5) year cycle to report results back to Ministers and to Canadians. Projects funded under this Solicitation will be captured in this program evaluation on their ability to achieve results and to further the overall objectives of the program. There will be no project specific information or results shared publicly as all published program evaluations report on the overall statistics of all funded projects under the program.

Section 7: Contact Us

For additional information about this funding opportunity, please contact: indigenouscorrections-correctionsautochtones@ps-sp.gc.ca.

Public Safety Canada is under no obligation to enter into a funding agreement as a result of this Solicitation Invitation.

Public Safety Canada reserves the right to:

Note: Public Safety Canada will not reimburse an applicant for costs incurred in the preparation or submission of an application in response to this invitation.

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