Supporting the Canadian Red Cross's urgent relief efforts related to COVID-19, floods and wildfires
Terms and Conditions

1. Authority

Paragraphs 4(1), 6(1)(a) and 6(1) (c) of the Department of Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness Act (S.C. 2005, c. 10) authorize the Minister of Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness to make grants and contributions.

Paragraphs 3 and 4(1)(m) of the Emergency Management Act (S.C. 2007, c. 15) authorize the Minister of Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness to establish policies and programs with respect to emergency management.

2. Program description and objectives

Program Description

The COVID-19 pandemic has put pressure on the health system of many jurisdictions through a sharp increase in Canadians requiring medical attention as well as challenging the capacity of supporting organizations. Furthermore, the pandemic has disrupted the logistics and supply chain of diverse sectors supporting emergency management. This leads to increased national risk with regards to effective response to floods and wildfires.

The rapid spread of the COVID-19 pandemic across Canada has resulted in Canadians being directed by public health officials in their respective jurisdictions to avoid all non-essential outings and to stay home to the greatest extent that is possible. Many Canadians now require ongoing general and specialized support services that are frequently delivered by the Canadian Red Cross (CRC).

The Supporting the Canadian Red Cross's Urgent Relief Efforts Related to COVID-19, Floods and Wildfires program (the ‘Program') is a contribution program that will provide funding to the CRC so that it may continue to respond to COVID-19 as well as to floods and wildfires which will present new and unprecedented challenges related to the pandemic context (e.g., the need to support any potential evacuees by: enabling social distancing; delivering specialized disaster case management services virtually; and, ensuring staff have access to personal protective equipment (PPE) as needed).

Program Objectives

The objective of the Program is to enable the CRC to support Canadians' needs stemming from COVID-19, floods and wildfires.

Through the provision of funding to the CRC under this program, the CRC will have the resources to reduce the impact of COVID-19 on Canadians as well as that of floods and wildfires.

3. Expected results

This program falls under the Public Safety Canada (PS) Departmental Results Framework 20202021 Core Responsibility: Emergency Management (Canada can effectively mitigate, prepare for, respond to, and recover from all hazards events).

Immediate Outcomes

The expected immediate outcomes (i.e., within the next 4 to 10 months) of this Program include that the CRC will be able to: respond effectively to Canadians' requests for support stemming from the COVID-19, floods and wildfires; supply Emergency Response Units (ERU), COVID-19 Testing Assistance Response (CTART) and Outbreak Crises Management (OCM) adjunct healthcare capacity as required by heavily impacted jurisdictions; and, support community risk reduction. Indicators for these outcomes will be dependent upon the activities identified in CRC's project proposals.

With respect to responding effectively to Canadians' requests for support, indicators and targets include:

• The percentage of days in which the CRC maintained a readiness to deploy 10 CTARTs simultaneously (target – 100%);
• The percentage of days in which the CRC maintained the required readiness to deploy up to 7 teams to support outbreak crisis management (target – 100%);
• The percentage of facilities (e.g., long-term care facilities and other cohabitation environments) which received assistance as a result of a request from public health authorities, that was effectively supported by the CRC (intermediate: target – 100%); and;
• The percentage of affected populations requiring isolation and quarantine assistance that was supported by the CRC upon a request from public health authorities, was effectively supported by the CRC (intermediate: target – 100%).

With respect to supplying ERU,CTART, and OCM adjunct healthcare capacity as required by heavily impacted jurisdictions, indicators and targets include:

• The number of CRC staff ready to deploy in support of vulnerable Canadians throughout the COVID-19 pandemic (target – 2500);
• The number of healthcare services (i.e., field hospitals/mobile respiratory clinics) provisioned to be ready to deploy in highly impacted areas through the ERU (target: 5);The percentage of jurisdictions to which ERUs, CTARTs and OCM teams are deployed that report satisfaction with the CRC's adjunct healthcare capacity (intermediate: target - 95%).

With respect to supporting community risk reduction and emergency management response, indicators and targets include:

• The total number of people supported by the CRC at quarantine sites, isolation sites, and evacuation centres and the total number of days on which the CRC is present at each site (target: n/a);
• The number of community risk reduction assessments performed and the percentage of communities that implemented the CRC's recommendations (targets: 50, 75%);
• The number of training sessions and people trained in PDT and use of PPE (intermediate: targets - n/a); and
• The total value in Canadian dollars of PPE provided to non-government organizations, health authorities and emergency response organizations directly serving Canadians (intermediate: target - at least $5 million).

Intermediate Outcome

Intermediate and long-term outcomes (10 months) of this Program are that the CRC will have broadly contributed to keeping Canadians safe by continuing to deliver their broad array of services to people in need. The indicators for the achievement of intermediate outcomes are referenced above.

4. Eligible recipient

The sole eligible recipient of this Program is the Canadian Red Cross Society.

5. Eligible projects

Eligible projects for funding under the Program must aim directly to reduce the impact of COVID-19, floods or wildfires, on Canadians and fall under one or more of the following streams:

• Supporting public health and emergency management response and recovery through risk reduction;
• Virtual relief services; and,
• Surge health and emergency management services.

The following projects are not eligible for funding under the Program:

• Projects that are already funded by another order of government; and/or
• Projects that have received an approval for funding from another Government of Canada Department or Agency at any time.

Should new sources of funding become available, the CRC must disclose this information immediately to PS.

Stream 1 - Supporting public health and emergency response and recovery through risk reduction

This stream aims to enable the CRC to support efforts to reduce the risks to public health posed by COVID-19, floods and wildfires. The type of activities eligible under this stream is broad and varied, but must generally fall within the following groups:

Complementing the implementation and operations of quarantine sites, isolation sites and evacuation centres

Complementing the implementation, coordination and logistics of quarantine and isolation sites, as well as evacuation centres, by carrying out a multitude of activities to support Canadians and other residents, including: site coordination activities (e.g., reception, registration, basic needs, personal assistance); nursing and other medical activities; referrals to safety and wellbeing resources; psychosocial support; and, rapid mobilization of personnel to assist with the acceptance of incoming conveyances of people.

Facilitating community risk reduction through education, assessment, and implementation

Through supporting community risk reduction education related to COVID-19, floods and wildfires, the CRC assists vulnerable communities in better understanding their risks and in facilitating community action to reduce risk and build resilience. Risk reduction activities include: community risk assessment; and resiliency and preparedness training for individuals, households and organizations. Community assessments may involve mapping vulnerabilities, capacity and assets as well as the provision of recommendations to inform response and mitigation.

Providing training on PDT and PPE

The provision of training on preventing disease transmission (PDT) and the use of personal protective equipment (PPE) online and directly to end users using CRC's existing network of trainers across Canada. This training includes robust set of skills to stay safe and reduce the risk of infection in a variety of scenarios. Additionally, the CRC is able to deploy specialized epidemiological control teams which can help provide organizations with advice and implementation support for measures to reduce to the transmission of COVID-19 (e.g., establishing a dedicated space for the removal of contaminated PPE).

Coordinating the acquisition and distribution of emergency response supply

Acquiring and storing a stock of equipment and supplies in critical locations so that it may be deployed within 48 hours to provide support to up to 5000 Canadians affected by a domestic disaster. As such, the CRC is able to leverage its existing capacity to procure and warehouse supplies and equipment such as: PPE, beds, blankets, tents, or other structures (e.g., those that could be used as emergency shelters, field hospitals, respiratory or vaccination clinics). These supplies could be deployed in support of Canadians affected by COVID-19, floods and wildfires to complement current and future federal operations

Supporting small businesses and non-government organizations response and recovery

It is expected that community organizations will be affected by floods and wildfires in ways that prevent them from providing essential services to Canadians that they normally would. The CRC can support community organizations engaged in emergency response to floods and wildfires to support community resiliency and recovery. Response to COVID-19 is excluded from this activity.

The CRC may also bring forward project proposals that include measures to further distribute funding to non-government and community organizations that are engaged in activities to help communities to recover. These activities would need to be separate and distinct from other federal funding programs, and must focus on emergency response and recovery from floods and wildfires. Such organizations could be supported in: management of emergency evacuation centres; cleanup of public and private property; and, assistance to individuals and families returning home following evacuation.

The CRC may also bring forward project proposals that provide financial assistance to small businesses and not-for-profit organizations to contribute to costs associated with uninsured losses stemming from floods or wildfires, that are otherwise not covered under any other federal funding program. The CRC may also provide support by covering the professional fees associated with: business planning; mentoring; counselling; consulting; technical services; marketing or advertising; and, planning for implementation of future mitigation activities. The CRC may also support small businesses by providing tuition for vocational education and training, holding events in direct support of the business community, or supporting business recovery telephone hotlines. Studies or promotional activities may also be undertaken that are related to prevention and future capacity building.

Stream 2 – Virtual relief services

Funding provided under this stream aims to enable the CRC to support Canadians by delivering virtual relief services.

Providing information and referral

These services support Canadians by providing relevant information and referrals to established community resources with the capacity to assist individuals and families enduring a crisis. This may also provide individuals requiring assistance with a virtual non-medical needs assessment, if required. Support to the CRC would increase capacity and/or enhance accessibility to this service.

Financial assistance to affected populations

The CRC may bring forward project proposals through which it could provide financial assistance to populations impacted by floods and wildfires. Funds provided under such projects would serve to partially alleviate the burden of additional expenses (e.g., replace loss of income due to evacuation or to cover insurance policy deductibles, utilities, mortgage payments and other personal obligations) and to address the immediate needs of individuals and families as necessitated by the nature of the emergency, and which are otherwise not covered under any other federal funding program.

Emergency social services

As part of relief efforts, the CRC is able to coordinate support for emergency lodging, food and personal services where there is an identified gap in ensuring that basic needs are met (e.g., by booking and paying for accommodations for evacuees). The CRC can also provide psychosocial support directly through virtual services as needed. These coordination support activities can be executed at a distance via telephone or the internet.

Stream 3 – Surge health and emergency management services

Funding provided under stream three enables the CRC to provide surge health and emergency management services to areas heavily impacted by COVID-19, floods and wildfires.

Deployment of Emergency Response Units

The CRC has the capacity to provision and deploy field hospitals and mobile respiratory clinics.

Governmental health delivery efforts may be augmented through surge capacity provided by the CRC. The CRC may deliver healthcare support in highly impacted areas through the deployment of its Canadian ERU. The ERU is a standardized, modular package of trained staff and equipment that can deploy on short notice and provide standalone healthcare services.

Deployment of COVID-19 Testing Assistance Response Teams (CTARTs)

The CRC has the capacity to deploy CTARTs, which are a rapid response capacity constituted of regional teams that are able to deploy on-site to fill critical gaps in testing capacity. The CTART's core function is to offer emergency testing capacity to Provinces/Territories, remote and isolated communities, including Indigenous communities should existing capacity be overwhelmed. This work would support communities by enabling the swift identification and isolation of infected individuals, thereby facilitating the containment of COVID-19 outbreaks.

Support to a national vaccination program

The CRC has the ability to support the participation of Canadians in any mass vaccination program. It is anticipated that the CRC will be an important player in the provision of information and referrals, and the promotion and coordination of a national vaccination campaign, as well as stock management support as needed.

Provision of accessible transportation services

To ensure the accessibility of medical and assisted-living supports to vulnerable Canadians, the CRC may provide transportation support as required. This transportation supports Canadians by enabling them to attend critical health appointments, access social services and provide necessary support to caregivers.

Support for emergency management response and recovery

To support evacuees returning home in their early recovery from floods and wildfires, the CRC provides specialized disaster case management services to Canadians. The CRC is also able to support disaster affected communities by providing clean-up kits and equipment to assist with the removal of debris and damage. Further, the CRC can also assist with repairs to non-primary dwellings, decontamination of private property and infrastructure, as well as public infrastructure to a level exceeding its pre-disaster condition to enhance resilience to future disaster events.

6. Eligible expenditures

Funds may be used only for expenditures directly related to the activities described in the proposal and in the budget of the project approved by the review and decision committee (section 12).

Eligible expenditures are:

• Salary, including benefits and overtime for paid administrative and operational employees engaged in eligible activities;
• Emergency equipment and supplies (such as PPE, medical supplies, cots, tents, etc.);
• Medical equipment;
• Movement and transportation of equipment;
• Material shipping and handling;
• Transportation services;
• Sustainment of deployed personnel and volunteers;
• Operational supplies (such as emergency social services and basic needs: emergency lodging, food and clothing for individuals and families);
• Expenditures associated with contracts for which the CRC engages to provide services for eligible activities;
• Minor capital acquisitions net of disposal ($10,000 or less per acquisition);
• Program supplies and materials ($10,000 or less per acquisition);
• Travel and living expenses related to the delivery of the project;
• Rental (equipment);
• Rental (facilities);
• Computer services, research costs and collection and analysis of statistics;
• Translation and simultaneous interpretation activities;
• Printing and distribution activities directly related to eligible activities;
• Payments to Canadians, small business and non-government organizations (as financial assistance under Stream 1 - Supporting Small Businesses and Non-Government Organizations Response and Recovery and Stream 2 - Financial Assistance to Affected Populations);
• Costs associated with restoring infrastructure to a level exceeding its pre-disaster condition for enhanced resilience (subject to limitations set out in section 11);
• Decontamination of private property and infrastructure, and public infrastructure to a level exceeding its pre-disaster condition (subject to limitations set out in section 11);
• Repairs to a non-primary dwelling, and building materials associated with said reconstruction (subject to limitations set out in section 11);
• Hospitality in the Indigenous context 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.
• Other costs, as approved in writing by the Minister of Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness.

The CRC is authorized to apply a 12% administrative flat fee against the actual eligible expenditures incurred in order to cover indirect costs, including overhead, and this flat fee is an eligible expenditure. In all financial reports, the 12% shall be reported as a flat fee. Administrative expenses covered within the flat fee shall not be included in other line items. Where there will be further distribution of funds, the maximum administrative fee remains at 12%, but can be shared between the CRC and ultimate recipient(s) for a combined total not exceeding 12%.

Any contribution agreement with the CRC will impose a contractual obligation that the recipient cannot claim reimbursement for travel and living expenses exceeding the per diem rates and allowances of the National Joint Council.

In special circumstance, for approved projects, eligible expenditures incurred after receipt of a funding application and its project proposal by Public Safety Canada but prior to formal approval through expenditure initiation may be considered eligible for reimbursement. These expenditures are not automatically paid and will be considered only after a funding agreement has been signed, and only if they were justifiable under the circumstances and qualified as being part of the eligible expenditures listed above.

On a one-time exceptional basis, and only following the approval of a funding application and after the funding agreement has been signed, Public Safety Canada may consider reimbursing eligible expenditures for eligible activities undertaken by the CRC related to Hurricane Fiona that were incurred starting on September 24, 2022, but prior to formal approval through expenditure initiation. This is the date of the Government of Canada's announcement of a donation-matching program to provide federal funds to support Canadians impacted by Hurricane Fiona. These expenditures are not automatically paid and will be considered only after a funding agreement has been signed, and only if they were justifiable under the circumstances and qualified as being part of the eligible expenditures listed above.

The CRC may only claim the portion of eligible expenditures that are not otherwise reimbursed through another program. Furthermore, tax paid by the CRC for goods and services for which the CRC is entitled to tax credit or reimbursement will not be reimbursed through this Program.

Ineligible expenditures

For greater certainty, ineligible expenditures include, but are not limited to:

• Capital costs, such as land, buildings, vehicles and most other capital costs (more than $10,000 per acquisition), except for medical equipment under eligible expenditures above;
• Hospitality, except in the Indigenous context as described above under eligible expenditures;
• Core or ongoing operating expenses;
• Amortization and interest (cost of borrowing);
• Travel not directly related to the project; and
• Profit, defined as an excess of revenues over expenditures.

7. Stacking limits

The maximum level (stacking limit) of Total Government Assistance (federal/provincial/municipal assistance for the same purpose and eligible expenses) shall not exceed 100% of the eligible expenditures.

The CRC will disclose all confirmed and potential sources of funding for the same eligible expenses when requesting access to the Program's funds for a proposed project (service under and activity stream) before the start, during and at the end of a project.

The Minister will ensure that the federal contribution of the transfer payment is based on the Total Government Assistance received (federal, provincial and municipal assistance for the same purpose and eligible expenses). This includes assistance such as all grants, contributions and any other assistance including non-monetary/in kind contributions being considered; and any other grant or contribution for which the applicant may be eligible.

The repayment of any amount exceeding the Total Government Assistance limit will be calculated on a pro-rated basis (based on Total Government Assistance received towards the same eligible expenses) and shall be a debt to the Crown.

8. Maximum amount payable

There is no established limit regarding the maximum amount of contributions to the CRC for a specific project. However, the total maximum amount of the contributions to the CRC based on the funding levels that have been approved for this program is $330,000,000 for urgent relief efforts related to COVID-19, floods and wildfires.

Given the need to support urgent relief measures for immediate COVID-19 needs, the Program consists of two phases. Phase 1 provides for immediate funding of $40,680,000 to the CRC and has been established through separate measures and is not subject to the Terms and Conditions as set out herein.

However, Phase 2 is subject to the Terms and Conditions as set out herein.

The maximum contribution for an individual project shall not exceed the identified level of funding approved through the review and decision process (section 12).

Further restrictions may also be placed on the purposes for which the funding may be used, and, if so, limitations will be included in the relevant contribution agreement(s).

9. Method used to determine the amount of a contribution

Contribution amounts for individual projects will be determined in accordance with section 12 having regard to the CRC's planned activities, budget submissions, other sources of funding and the availability of program funds.

10. Basis of payments

Subject to the paragraphs below, the Minister will issue progress payments to reimburse the CRC for incurred eligible expenditures, which will be based upon receipt and acceptance by the department of financial reports (cashflow statements and/or financial statements) and project reports.

If, due to exceptional circumstances, advance payments are requested by the CRC, and determined to be justified, the advance payments will be issued based on the cashflow requirements the CRC has identified, as well as the receipt and acceptance by the department of financial reports (cashflow statements and/or financial statements) and project reports.

A final payment (holdback) will be made only upon receipt and acceptance of final financial (cashflow statements and/or financial statements) and project reports.

The department reserves the right to audit and/or review any project or contribution agreement.

11. Proposal requirements

A complete project submission from the CRC will cover, at the minimum:

• Identification of the stream(s) and service category(ies) being targeted by the proposal;
• The amount of funding requested for the individual project;
• A description of the project, including a clear articulation of:
  • What the project consists of;
  • How the project(s) addresses an urgent relief need;
  • The direct link between the relief need and the COVID-19 pandemic, flooding event, and/or a wildfire event;
• A description of the project's objective(s) and expected outcome(s) and how they contribute to the Program's expected results;
• Identification of stakeholders/partnerships and a description of their level of engagement, as applicable;
• A description of the population, including known vulnerable population(s), that the project will benefit;
• Inclusion of an itemized budget that clearly outlines the categories of work and expenditures for which the financial contribution is being requested, as well as other sources of revenue, where applicable;
• Inclusion of a plan outlining key activities for which the financial contribution is being requested;
• Identification of potential project implementation risks that may impact the recipient's ability to deliver on the project, and mitigation measures to address them;
• A description of the internal measures to conduct implementation monitoring and performance management;
• Inclusion of a declaration required to prevent the risk of conflict of interest, including:
  • Disclosure of any apparent, actual or potential conflict of interest in compliance with Canada or the Province's laws, regulations or policies, as the case may be, and disclosure of the involvement of any former public servants or public office holders subject to the Values and Ethics Code for the Public Sector, the Conflict of Interest Act (S.C. 2006, c9), or the Parliament of Canada Act (R.S. 1985, c. P 1-1.01);
  • Registrant as lobbyists as required under the Lobbying Act (applicants shall provide assurance that, where a lobbyist is utilized, they are registered in accordance with the Lobbying Act and that no actual or potential conflict of interest exists nor any contingency fee arrangement); and,
  • Role of any Government of Canada official, if a Government of Canada official is to participate on an advisory committee or board. Such involvement must not be seen to be exercising control on the committee or board on the use of funds.
• In order to support PS's obligations under Part VII of the Official Languages Act, an indication whether and how the needs of official language minority communities were considered, where appropriate (such as for proposed stakeholder engagement activities); and,
• The CRC contact information of the project authority.

In order to avoid interference with eligible activities and expenditures set out in provincial/territorial disaster recovery programming and/or the federal Disaster Financial Assistance Arrangements Program (DFAA) or Indigenous and Northern Affairs Canada's Emergency Management Assistance Program (EMAP), proposals from the CRC will only include eligible expenditures for which the CRC does not expect to be reimbursed by any provincial/territorial government under provincial/territorial disaster recovery programming or by the Government of Canada under any other federal program.

Project proposals with a financial assistance or a further distribution of funds component

The CRC may provide financial assistance under Stream 1 - Supporting small businesses and non-government organizations response and recovery, and Stream 2 - Financial assistance to affected populations.

The CRC may further distribute funds under Stream 1 - Supporting small businesses and nongovernment organizations response and recovery activities.

Should the CRC wish to propose a project where funds from this Program will be utilized for payments as financial assistance, or to be further distributed, the following will be required, at minimum.

• A description of the aim, scope and intended results of the proposed project;
• A summary of the supporting evidence that led to the proposal (research, request from another level of government, requests from associations, etc.) – further detailed information should be available on request;
• The nature of the support the financial assistance or the further distribution of funds is meant to address;
• The list of eligible class(es) of recipients, who must be capable of entering into a legal agreement with the CRC;
• The amount of funding requested for payments or to be further distributed under the project;
• The maximum amount an individual recipient could receive under the proposed project;
• The project performance monitoring measures; and,
• End date of the project.

Complete proposals will be submitted to PS for consideration.

12. Application and decision process

The CRC will be required to submit its project proposals to PS for PS' initial review and analysis against the Terms and Conditions of the program. The purpose of the review will be to determine if the CRC's proposal is complete and appropriate to the support being requested of the CRC. Where the CRC's proposal may be relevant to another federal department, PS will consult the affected department(s).

Given the urgency of requests for support from the CRC by provinces/territories, this consultation will occur at the Assistant Deputy Minister level, leveraging the newly stood up ADM Crisis Cell. This committee is chaired by PS, and is made up of a small group of ADMs directly involved in the COVID-19 response. This more focused forum is anticipated to enhance the governance of this contribution program by taking over this governance role from the broader ADM Emergency Management Committee. After review, if the ADM Crisis Cell reaches consensus to recommend a CRC proposal for PS funding, the proposal will be brought forward to the Deputy Ministers' Emergency Management Committee (DM-EMC) for consideration. The CRC would make itself available to present the proposal and answer any questions throughout. However, the CRC would not be present during committee deliberations related to any proposed recommendation.

The Chair of the DM-EMC (PS) will seek the DM-EMC's recommendation with respect to the CRC's proposal but must, having regard to the Minister of PS' responsibility for the Contribution Program, hold the final authority with respect to approving recommendations for funding for consideration by the Minister of PS.

The final funding decision rests with the Minister of Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness.

Eligible proposals will be assessed on merit criteria such as but not limited to:

• Demonstrated need;
• Alignment with federal government funding priorities;
• Avoidance of duplication;
• Timeliness and feasibility;
• Effectiveness and efficiency;
• Demographic and geographic reach (with consideration for vulnerable populations); and,
• Expected results (project impact).

If the proposal is approved for funding, a new contribution agreement must be entered into or an amendment to an existing contribution agreement must be made.

If the approved proposal includes the further distribution of any portion of the funds the CRC receives under this Program, the CRC shall have independence in its choice of a specific recipient under the class(es) of eligible recipients.

In addition, where appropriate, the funding agreement between the Minister and the CRC shall include provisions pertaining to the further distribution of the funds including a provision stipulating that the CRC has independence in the choice of a specific recipient under the class(es) of eligible recipients, and a provision stipulating that the CRC is not an agent of the Crown in any respect, including any decision that the CRC makes with respect to the further distribution of funds. The funding agreement will also require the CRC to include the same requirements in its arrangements with the eligible recipients to whom the funds are further distributed.

Funding agreements between the Minister and the CRC under this Program will include a provision stating that the Minister has the right to audit the CRC as well as any other party to whom the CRC further distributes funding, as required by the Treasury Board Directive on Transfer Payments.

13. Financial and performance reporting

The CRC will be expected to provide regular project financial and performance reports, based on project risk, including information on results achieved to support the Program's performance management strategy. The details will be laid out in funding agreement(s) for approved projects.

14. Intellectual property

All intellectual property rights recognized by law in any intellectual property that is first conceived, developed, produced or reduced to practice utilizing or arising out of the Minister's contribution to the CRC under any funded project (“Intellectual Property”) will belong to the CRC or one of its subcontractors or any other third party it has contracted with, as soon as they come into existence. To the extent that such rights will be owned by its subcontractors or other third parties, the CRC shall secure the rights needed to grant the licence referred to below. When relevant, PS will encourage the CRC to transfer within the emergency management community, knowledge acquired and best practices developed through the project.

The CRC will be contractually required to grant to the Minister a fully paid, royalty-free, irrevocable, worldwide, non-exclusive and worldwide license to exercise all intellectual property rights in any Intellectual Property that the CRC is required to provide to the Minister or maintain under the terms of the relevant contribution agreement, including, without limiting the generality of any of the foregoing, all financial reports, cashflow statements, final activity reports, audits, and project records produced in relation to the funded project.

15. Official languages

Public Safety Canada will implement this program in accordance with its obligations under the Official Languages Act and related regulations and policies. It will ensure that communications with the public about the program will be in both official languages, and that all information otherwise made available as it relates to this program will be made available in both official languages.

Any project proposal brought forward by the CRC will be required to consider and demonstrate how the project responds to the needs of official language minority communities and the impact it may have on these communities. The CRC will be contractually required, through the contribution agreement(s), to ensure that its communications with and delivery of services to Canadians are in both official languages. The CRC will also be required to ensure that information made available about any projects that are funded is available in both official languages.

16. Privacy

The CRC will be contractually required, through the contribution agreement(s) entered into, to incorporate the protection of personal information in its activities in accordance with, if applicable, laws enacted to protect personal privacy and the confidentiality and security of personal information, and in accordance with the CRC's privacy policy. If the CRC makes any amendments to this privacy policy, it will be required to advise the Minister.

17. Program duration

The Supporting the Canadian Red Cross's Urgent Relief Efforts Related to COVID-19, Floods and Wildfires program expires on March 31, 2025.

Date modified:

2023-11-15