Protocol for ISC-Funded Infrastructure
PDF Version (404 KB, 28 Pages)
List of statutes, regulations, policies, codes, directives, standards, protocols, specifications, guidelines and procedures applicable under the Capital Facilities and Maintenance Program.
Table of contents
Foreword
The Protocol for ISC-Funded Infrastructure (PIFI) provides a list of applicable:
- statutes
- regulations
- policies
- codes
- directives
- standards
- protocols
- specifications
- guidelines
- procedures
This version of the protocol is dated July 1, 2021. It replaces and overrides all versions that came before it.
1.0 Introduction
The Government of Canada is committed to supporting eligible recipients.
Eligible recipients are defined in section 4.1 of the Contributions to Support the Construction and Maintenance of Community Infrastructure. This falls under the authority of Indigenous Services Canada's (ISC) Capital Facilities and Maintenance Program.
To this end, ISC provides monetary support, through funding agreements with eligible recipients in the
- planning
- acquisition
- design
- construction and disposal
of capital assets, including infrastructure and housing.
The funding agreements also provide monetary support for capital asset management, including:
- operation
- maintenance
- monitoring
To help make sure public funds are spent appropriately, ISC requires that eligible recipients follow the relevant criteria set out in Contributions to Support the Construction and Maintenance of Community Infrastructure. This is a condition of receiving funding under the Capital Facilities and Maintenance Program.
1.1 Purpose
The purpose of the PIFI is to provide a listing of applicable laws and regulations that eligible recipients must comply with to:
- maintain the public health and safety of workers, occupants and the environment
- receive funding under the Capital Facilities and Maintenance Program
In addition, the PIFI includes the applicable laws and regulations in section 1.5 that eligible recipients must follow. The list includes:
- policies
- codes
- directives
- standards
- protocols
- specifications
- guidelines
- procedures
ISC employees will provide advice to eligible recipients regarding compliance with these requirements.
For public health and safety requirements, eligible recipients should contact their designated environmental public health officer for details on relevant provincial public health and safety standards.
These public health officers include employees of:
- Indigenous Services Canada First Nations Inuit Health Branch
- a transferred health organization
The protocol is also a reference for qualified and experienced third parties who are engaged by eligible recipients to provide:
- planning
- design
- construction
- operation and maintenance services
- goods or other services
on the lands of eligible recipients.
Eligible recipients must employ qualified and experienced planning, architecture, environment and engineering professionals on all Capital Facilities and Maintenance Program-funded infrastructure projects.
The term "qualified" means a licensed or certified professional:
- who possesses adequate experience related to the work to be done
- whose qualifications and experience match the scope and complexity of the project
Eligible recipients and qualified professionals are responsible for familiarizing themselves with and obtaining copies of, all potentially applicable:
- statutes
- regulations
- policies
- codes
- directives
- standards
- protocols
- specifications
- guidelines
- procedures
referred to in this protocol.
Keep informed about updates
Despite the efforts to keep the PIFI as updated as possible, there is a potential that the PIFI may not contain the most up to date version of the aforementioned documents. In compliance with the conditions of the Funding Agreement, eligible recipients are expected to proactively remain apprised of new or amended applicable statutes and regulations as well as applicable industrial standards or codes noted above.
1.2 Application
An eligible recipient acknowledges that:
- it has the beneficial legal interest in any capital facility or asset built with funding provided by ISC
- ISC does not exercise any ownership rights over such facilities or assets
An eligible recipient also acknowledges that it will have:
- sole possession of, and care and control over, any capital facility or asset built with funding provided by ISC
- the sole legal responsibility for any matters arising from the construction, possession, control, operation, maintenance or decommissioning and final disposal of the facility or asset
As a condition of receiving funding under the Capital Facilities and Maintenance Program, an eligible recipient is responsible for the:
- design
- acquisition
- construction
- operation
- maintenance
- monitoring
- decommissioning and final disposal
of their infrastructure and housing in accordance with all potentially applicable statutes, regulations, policies, codes, directives, standards, protocols, specifications, guidelines, and procedures referred to in this protocol.
This protocol applies to all infrastructure and housing funded by ISC under the Capital Facilities and Maintenance Program. In addition, ISC encourages its application to all infrastructure and housing owned or operated by eligible recipients.
The PIFI does not apply to the First Nations infrastructure projects funded by or under the responsibility of the First Nation and Inuit Health Branch, ISC.
1.3 Life cycle cost considerations
A life cycle cost analysis shows that a proposed technical solution gives value for money when compared to all of the potential solutions that would achieve the same project objectives.
As such, all viable options should be considered by the project team, including:
- decentralized systems
- municipal-type agreements
- renovations to existing facilities
- other applicable options
As part of a feasibility study, proponents will analyze over a common time horizon:
- projected capital
- operations
- maintenance costs
Generally the common time horizon will be the expected lifetime of the asset in question.
In cases where life cycle cost considerations are required in an asset-specific document, such as a level of service standards, those life cycle cost considerations should prevail.
1.4 Evolving protocols and procedures
Modern treaties and self-government agreements may have provisions that impact the applicability of the documents listed in the protocol. ISC employees, eligible recipients and any third parties engaged to act on behalf of a eligible recipients should review modern treaties and self-government agreements to ensure that the promises set out in those documents are respected.
It is also important to refer to:
- The Aboriginal Consultation and Accommodation: Updated Guidelines for Federal Officials to Fulfill the Duty to Consult, March 2011
- Principles respecting the Government of Canada's relationship with Indigenous peoples
ISC's Capital Facilities and Maintenance Program will evolve based on:
- assessments of community infrastructure and housing
- feedback from eligible recipients and other stakeholders
You can send questions and feedback on this protocol by email to questionspolitiquesccppie-pcfcfmppolicyquestions@sac-isc.gc.ca.
This protocol will be updated every 2 years, or as necessary, to reflect:
- new policies and procedures as they are implemented by ISC
- new or amended
- statutes
- regulations
- policies
- codes
- directives
- standards
- protocols
- specifications
- guidelines
- procedures
1.5 Applicable federal statutes and regulations
Without limitation, the following statutes and regulations are applicable on reserve lands. An eligible recipient must by law comply with the most up-to-date version of each of the following.
- Accessible Canada Act, S.C. 2019, c.10
- Safe Drinking Water for First Nations Act, S.C. 2013, c. 21
- Arctic Waters Pollution Prevention Act, R.S.C. 1985, c.A-12
- Canadian Environmental Protection Act, 1999 and related documents
- Canadian Environmental Protection Act 1999, last amended June 17, 2019 (PDF)
- Canadian Energy Regulator Act, S.C. 2019, c.28, s.10
- Canadian Impact Assessment Act, 2019, (formerly Environmental Assessment Act 2012)
On August 28, 2019, the following laws, which eligible recipients must also follow, came into force:
- Impact Assessment Act, S.C. 2019, c. 28, s.1
- Canadian Energy Regulator Act, S.C. 2019, c.28, s.10
- Canadian Navigable Waters Act, R.S.C., 1985, c.N-22
The Impact Assessment Act created the new Impact Assessment Agency of Canada and repealed the Canadian Environmental Assessment Act, 2012.
- Canada Labour Code R.S.C., 1985, c. L-2 (PDF)
- Canada Occupational Health and Safety Regulations, SOR/86-304
- Canada Petroleum Resources Act, R.S.C. 1985, c.36 (2nd Supp.)
- Energy Efficiency Act, S.C. 1992, c.36
- Federal Halocarbon Regulations, 2003
- Fisheries Act, R.S.C., 1985, c. F-14
- Hazardous Products Act, R.S.C., 1985, c. H-3
- Hazardous Materials Information Review Regulations, SOR/88-456
- Indian Reserve Waste Disposal Regulations, C.R.C., c. 960
- Species at Risk Act, S.C. 2002, c. 29
- Storage Tank Systems for Petroleum Products and Allied Petroleum Products Regulations, SOR/2008-197
- Wastewater Systems Effluent Regulations, SOR/2012-139
2.0 Infrastructure and housing
2.1 General
As a condition of receiving funding under the Capital Facilities and Maintenance Program, eligible recipients must follow:
- the federal statutes and regulations listed in section 1.5
- the statutes, regulations, policies, codes, directives, standards, protocols, specifications, guidelines and procedures listed in sections 2.2 to 5 of this protocol
Learn more: Contributions to Support the Construction and Maintenance of Community Infrastructure.
If the following documents give different or divergent guidance then the order of precedence is:
- provincial or territorial statutes
- provincial or territorial regulations
- federal statutes
- federal regulations
- provincial or territorial codes
- provincial or territorial directives
- provincial or territorial standards
- federal codes
- federal directives
- federal standards
- federal policies
- federal protocols
- provincial or territorial specifications
- federal specifications
- federal guidelines
- federal procedures
- provincial or territorial guidelines
- provincial or territorial procedures
Furthermore, sections 2.2 to 2.11 of this protocol have been organized in order of precedence, so that statutes, regulations, policies, codes, directives, standards, protocols, specifications, guidelines, and procedures in preceding sections prevail over those listed in subsequent sections.
Thus, statutes and regulations listed under section 2.2 prevail over those listed under section 2.3 and statutes and regulations listed under section 2.3 prevail over those listed under section 2.4, and so on.
Statutes, regulations, policies, codes, directives, standards, protocols, specifications, guidelines, and procedures applicable to a specific capital project are to be listed by the eligible recipients in their Project Approval Requests (PARs) when submitting an application for funding under the Capital Facilities and Maintenance Program. If the order of precedence of statutes, regulations, policies, codes, directives, standards, protocols, specifications, guidelines, and procedures proposed for a specific project differs from that outlined in the present protocol, then these exception(s) shall be identified and justified in the PAR.
The above take precedence over all ISC policies, directives, protocols and guidelines.
2.2 Occupational health and safety
- Provincial or territorial worker's compensation statutes and regulations pertaining to occupational health and safety apply as per project location.
- Canada Occupational Health and Safety Regulations
2.3 Fire protection
- Provincial or territorial statutes and regulations related to fire protection. In the absence of provincial or territorial statutes and regulations pertaining to fire protection, the national codes will apply.
- National Fire Code of Canada, 2015
- Residential Indoor Air Quality Guideline: Carbon Monoxide
- Note that the National Building Code and the National Fire Code also have a carbon monoxide monitors/alarms provision. The National Fire Code applies to existing, as well as new buildings and facilities, therefore it is an important reference.
2.4 Buildings
- Provincial or territorial statutes and regulations pertaining to buildings. In the absence of provincial or territorial statutes and regulations pertaining to buildings, the national codes will apply.
- National Building Code of Canada, 2015
- Canadian Electrical Code, 2021
- National Plumbing Code of Canada, 2015
- Natural Gas and Propane Installation Code, 2010 (R2015)
- Environmental Code of Practice for Aboveground and Underground Storage Tank Systems Containing Petroleum and Allied Petroleum Products
- Link for complementarity PN 1326
- CAN/CSA B651-18 Accessible Design for the Built Environment (Standard) (PDF, 4MB)
- Primary differences between the Technical Standards - Barrier-free Design Standard (CAN/CSA-B651-M95) and Accessible Design for the Built Environment (CAN/CSA-B651-04)
- CAN/CSA Z614:20 Children's playground equipment and surfacing (Standards)
- National Energy Code of Canada for Buildings, 2017
- Canada Green Building Council Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) Standards - Silver
- Equivalent to the "Silver" LEED Standard without the certification. LEED certification is voluntary and will not be funded by ISC
- Royal Architectural Institute of Canada - Canadian Standard Form of Contract for Architectural Services – Document Six, 2018 Edition
- This standard is voluntary and will not be funded by ISC
- Residential Indoor Air Quality Guideline: Carbon Monoxide
- Note that the National Building Code and the National Fire Code also have a carbon monoxide monitors/alarms provision. The National Fire Code applies to existing, as well as new buildings and facilities, therefore it is an important reference
2.5 Air quality
- Provincial or territorial statutes and regulations pertaining to air quality
- Residential Indoor Air Quality Guidelines
- Health Canada - Exposure Guidelines for Residential Indoor Air Quality, 1987 (PDF)
- Note that the National Building Code, part 6, covers requirements for construction
- Mould Guidelines for the Construction Industry (PDF 228KB), 2004 Canadian Construction Association
- Government of Canada Radon Guideline
- Health Canada - Government of Canada Radon Guideline
- Guide for Radon Measurements in Public Buildings (Schools, Hospitals, Care Facilities, Detention Centres)
- Guide for Radon Measurements in Residential Dwellings (Homes)
2.6 Hazardous materials
- Provincial or territorial statutes and regulations pertaining to hazardous or designated substances. Note that the National Fire Code also covers several hazardous material requirements.
2.7 Water and wastewater systems
- Provincial or territorial statutes and regulations pertaining to water and wastewater systems
- Note that section 2.4 of this protocol also provides guidelines for storage
- ISC - Water and Wastewater Policy and Level of Services Standards (Corporate Manual System)
- National Sanitation Foundation (NSF) Standards NSF 46-2018. Evaluation of Components and Devices Used in Wastewater Treatment Systems. Standard by NSF International, 07/01/2018
- Canadian Standard Association (CSA) CAN/CSA-B126 SERIES-13 Water Cisterns
- Canadian Standard Association (CSA) B65-12 (R2016) Installation code for decentralized wastewater systems
- Protocol for Centralized Drinking Water Systems in Firs Nations Communities
- Protocol for Decentralized Water and Waste Water Systems in First Nations Communities (Decentralised Systems Protocol), April 15, 2010
- Guidelines for Canadian Drinking Water Quality
- Guidance for Designing, Installing, Maintaining and Decommissioning Drinking Water Cisterns in First Nations Communities South of 60°
- Please contact the First Nations and Inuit Health Branch for a copy.
- Design Guidelines for First Nations Water Works
- Guidance for Providing Safe Drinking Water in Areas of Federal Jurisdiction – Version 2
- From Source To Tap - The Multi-Barrier Approach To Safe Drinking Water, 2002
- Pollution prevention plans for inorganic chloramines and chlorinated wastewater effluents. (Official title: Notice requiring the preparation and implementation of pollution prevention plans for inorganic chloramines and chlorinated wastewater effluents)
- Guideline for the release of ammonia dissolved in wastewater effluents
- Emergency Response Plan for Drinking Water Systems in First Nations Communities
- Emergency Response Plan for Wastewater Systems in First Nations Communities
- Maintenance Management Plan for Drinking Water and Wastewater Systems in First Nations Communities
- First Nations On-Reserve Source Water Protection Plan
Levels of service and life cycle cost can vary for several aspects of a water or wastewater infrastructure project. Whether it is a choice between a decentralized and a centralized system, or the choice of a procurement and project delivery method, the range of costs can vary significantly depending on the method chosen. This is why ISC requires that detailed assessments and justifications of a variety of water and wastewater servicing options be considered at the feasibility study stage of a project's development. When submitting an application for funding under the Capital Facilities and Maintenance Program, the eligible recipients shall include in their PAR the complete list of options considered at the project's feasibility study stage along with details of the life cycle cost of each option considered.
2.8 Schools
- Provincial or territorial statutes and regulations pertaining to schools
- School Space Accommodation Standards
- Level of service standards for sizing school facilities funded by Indigenous Services Canada
- ISC Level of Service Standards and Management of Teacherages on Reserve
- ISC Capital Facilities & Maintenance – School Site Development
- ISC Rental of Facilities for Federal and Band Operated Schools
Full life cycle cost considerations are of the utmost importance at the planning and design stages of school projects, when the broadest choice of levels of service, technologies, materials, siting and optimization techniques can be employed. This is why ISC requires that detailed assessments and justifications of a variety of siting and building construction type and site alternative options be considered at the feasibility study stage of a project's development. When submitting an application for design-stage funding under the Capital Facilities and Maintenance Program, eligible recipients must include in their PAR the complete list of options considered at the feasibility study stage of the project's development, along with details of the full life cycle cost analysis of each option considered.
2.9 Energy
- Provincial or territorial statutes and regulations pertaining to energy.
- Electric Power Supply and Distribution Systems
- National Energy Code of Canada for Buildings, 2017
- R-2000 standard for builders
- The standard for energy efficiency in new construction
- Note that the current Capital Facilities and Maintenance Program policy as of 2019 does not fund up to R-2000
2.10 Heating, ventilation, air conditioning, refrigeration, and sheet metal
- Provincial or territorial statutes and regulations pertaining to heating, ventilation, air conditioning, refrigeration and sheet metal.
- The American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air Conditioning (ASHRAE) Standards
- The Sheet Metal and Air Conditioning Contractors' National Association (SMACNA) Papers and Guidelines
It is very important to consider the life cycle cost at the planning and design stage of school projects since ISC must consider a wide range of service levels, technology, materials, sites and optimization techniques. For this reason, ISC requires evaluations and justifications for a variety of site options and types of construction at the feasibility study stage of the project. When applying for funding for the design phase through the Capital Facilities and Maintenance Program, eligible recipients must include in their design request the list of options discussed at the feasibility study stage along with a complete analysis of the life cycle costs for each option considered.
2.11 Transportation
- Provincial or territorial statutes and regulations pertaining to transportation.
- Roads and Bridges Policy and Level of Service Standards
- CAN/CSA S6-14 Canadian Highway Bridge Design Code
- Transportation Association of Canada - Geometric Design Guide for Canadian Roads
2.12 Solid Waste
- Provincial or territorial statutes and regulations pertaining to solid waste.
- Canadian Environmental Protection Act, 1999 S.C. 1999, c.33
- Indian Reserve Waste Disposal Regulations, C.R.C., c. 960
- First Nations Land Management Act, S.C., 1999, c.24
- A Federal Approach to Contaminated Sites, 1999
- Solid Waste Management for Northern and Remote Communities, Planning and Technical Guidance, 2017
- Interprovincial Movement of Hazardous Waste Regulations, SOR/2002-301
- Export and import of Hazardous Waste Recyclable Material Regulations SOR/2005-149
3.0 Procurement and tendering
The following must be adhered to as a condition of funding under the Capital Facilities and Maintenance Program for infrastructure and housing projects:
- Tendering Policy on Federally Funded Capital Projects for First Nations on Reserve
- Note: The contracting guidelines (CN) documents referenced in the Capital Facilities and Maintenance Program are available for downloading from the ISC - Infrastructure and Housing page (also see section 3.1 for the list of contracting guidelines).
- Framework to Guide the Development of a First Nation Tendering Policy
- Operational Parameters for the Review and Evaluation of Construction Management Projects (OPRECMP)
3.1 Contracting guidelines
Construction contracting for First Nations:
- Construction Contracting Guidelines for First Nations and Aboriginal Communities
- Contracting for Professional Services
- Contracting for Non-Professional Services
- First Nations and Aboriginal Communities Project Management Manual (TID-PM-01) (This document can be obtained from regional offices.)
- Level of Service Standards - Fire Protection Services - Capital Facilities and Maintenance Program
- Canadian National Master Construction Specification (CNMS)
Life cycle cost considerations regarding procurement and tendering should include the development and comparison of total project costs related to a traditional project delivery method versus alternative procurement methods (for example, design-build and design-build-operate/maintain).
4.0 Project management and administration
- Provincial or territorial statutes and regulations pertaining to project management and administration.
- Capital Facilities and Community Services Capital Funding: Capital Planning Projects (PDF)
- Operational Parameters for the Review and Evaluation of Construction Management Projects
- Evaluation of Capital Projects under Contribution Arrangements
- The Reporting Guide
With respect to minor capital and housing projects of value lower than $1.5 million, the eligible recipients of a First Nation must:
- prepare and carry out a project implementation plan that is appropriate to the size and nature of the project and that will provide a project description, scope, schedule and milestones
- appoint certified professionals with experience and qualifications that match with the scope and complexity of the project being undertaken
- ensure that appointed professionals are licensed in the province or territory in which the work is being performed
- ensure that all housing capital construction projects are inspected by certified inspectors to confirm compliance with code requirements at the following stages (as a minimum): site, foundation, framing and completion
The engagement of a qualified project manager can help to ensure that the above-noted requirements are being met.
5.0 Operation and maintenance
Eligible recipients must carry out the operation and maintenance of community infrastructure, housing, and other funded assets in accordance with a maintenance management plan (MMP) that has been reviewed and approved by the eligible recipients and made available to the Department.
The MMP must identify:
- an up-to-date inventory of all infrastructure and housing assets for which operation and maintenance funds are provided to the band by ISC
- the maintenance activities and the frequency that such activities will be conducted for each asset
- an estimate or the most recent 3 year average total annual cost of operating and maintaining all community infrastructure and housing assets for which a funding subsidy is to be provided to the band by ISC
- measures to ensure that satisfactorily trained personnel are available at all times to operate and maintain technical systems according to the design standards of the specific facility or asset (for example, for water and wastewater treatment plants, operators shall be certified to the level of the plant)
- the provision of adequate fire protection services
- the data that is necessary to update the Integrated Capital Management System (ICMS) by reporting deadlines
In addition, the processes of carrying out community facility operation and maintenance for all infrastructure and housing assets should also comply with the most recent edition of the following:
- Operation and Maintenance – ISC Level of Service Standard, Corporate Manual System, amended 2021-09-01 (PDF)
Available upon request by email questionspolitiquesccppie-pcfcfmppolicyquestions@sac-isc.gc.ca
6.0 Regulations, policies, directives, standards, protocols, specifications, guidelines and procedures applicable in a region
All eligible recipients must be in compliance with any applicable statutes, regulations, policies, codes, directives, standards, protocols, specifications, guidelines and procedures in the region where the eligible recipient is located.
Partial lists of these requirements are provided in the following annexes.
If you have questions, require additional information or require clarity on any applicable statutes, regulations, policies, codes, directives, standards, protocols, specifications, guidelines and procedures, you may contact the respective ISC regional office.
Annex A Alberta Region
Additional regulations, policies, directives, standards, protocols, specifications, guidelines and procedures
The following represents the list of additional requirements that only apply to eligible recipients that are First Nations and First Nations organizations within the Alberta Region.
Additional requirements
First Nations and First Nations organizations receiving funding under the Capital Facilities and Maintenance Program for specific programs must also meet the following requirements.
Housing
Where a First Nation has been approved under the 1996 housing policy, the council must have in place multi-year community-based housing plans that address the following elements:
- maximization of the life expectancy of housing (through sound maintenance repair and insurance practices)
- rehabilitation of existing housing stock through an acceptable building code
- reduction in overcrowding (expansion to existing houses and new construction to an acceptable standard, but not less than the National Building Code)
- linkages to job creation, training and skills development, and economic and business development
- a resource plan
The council shall provide annual updates to the community-based housing plan.
Formula-based housing allocation funds can be used for all housing related activities including maintenance and insurance, renovations, new construction, debt charges, training, management and administrative expenses.
Where a community-wide shelter charge regime is put into place, the income assistance program will provide shelter allowances to eligible households to cover such charges (rents or ownership costs). Shelter charges will be consistent with provincial income assistance programs and charges must be customarily collected whether or not a house is occupied by an income assistance recipient. Any shelter charges for households dependent on income assistance that would result in an increased demand on income assistance funding must be offset from other funds, which are usually funds available for housing. There must be no incremental cost to the Minister of Indigenous Services beyond current resources.
Solid waste
- Municipal Government Act, RSA 2000, M-26
- Waste Management Commission Regulations for all regions within the province are managed and listed under this Act.
- Environmental Protection and Enhancement Act - Waste Control Regulation, A.R. 192/1996
- Alberta Transfer Station Technical Guidance Manual, 2008
- Hazardous Waste Storage Guidelines, 1988
- Alberta User Guide for Waste Managers
- Household Hazardous Waste Round-Ups, Guide 2001 (PDF)
Annex B Atlantic Region
Additional regulations, policies, directives, standards, protocols, specifications, guidelines and procedures
The following represents the list of additional requirements that only apply to eligible recipients that are First Nations and First Nations organizations within the Atlantic Region.
Additional requirements
Water
Solid waste
- Atlantic Provinces Solid Waste-Resource Cooperative Initiative, 2007
- New Brunswick: Clean Environment Act, O.C. 2008-180 (PDF)
- Newfoundland & Labrador: Environmental Protection Act, SNL2002, E-14.2
- Nova Scotia: Environmental Goals and Sustainable Prosperity Act, 2012, c.42 (PDF)
- Nova Scotia: Environment Act, Solid Waste-Resource Management Regulations, N.S. Reg. 26/2019
- Nova Scotia: Environment Act, Contaminated Sites Regulations, N.S. Reg. 64/2012
- Nova Scotia: Environment Act, Dangerous Goods Management Regulations, N.S. Reg. 57/2016
- Nova Scotia: Municipal Solid Waste Landfill Guidelines, 1997 (PDF)
- Nova Scotia: Composting Facilities Guideline, 2010 (PDF)
- Nova Scotia: Guidelines for the Siting and Operation of Waste Transfer Stations, 2006
- Nova Scotia: Construction and Demolition Debris Disposal Site Guidelines, 1997
- Nova Scotia: Solid Waste Resource Management Strategy, 2009
- Prince Edward Island: Environmental Protection Act, R.S.P.E.I., 1988 (PDF)
- Prince Edward Island: Environmental Protection Act, Waste Resource Management Regulations, E-9 (PDF)
- Prince Edward Island: Environmental Protection Act, Materials Stewardship and Recycling Regulations, E-9 (PDF)
Annex C British Columbia Region
Additional regulations, policies, directives, standards, protocols, specifications, guidelines, and procedures
The following represents the list of additional requirements that only apply to eligible recipients that are First Nations and First Nation organizations within the British Columbia Region.
Additional requirements
Reporting requirements
The First Nation recipient must provide to the Minister of Indigenous Services reports as set out in the Recipient Reporting Guide:
- By April 30, the necessary data to update the Integrated Capital Management System (see Recipient Reporting Guide Infrastructure and Housing Annual Report - DCI#460620)
- By July 31, an annual update of municipal-type service agreements. Photocopies of new or renewed agreements for services are required. Multi-year agreements are not required to be updated unless expired or changes to the agreement are made.
The First Nations recipient shall provide to the Minister of Indigenous Services reports as set out in the Recipient Reporting Guide:
By October 15, an update of the band's 5-year capital plan as a basis for requesting capital funding for the upcoming fiscal year.
(See Recipient Reporting Guide First Nation Infrastructure Investment Plan - Annual Update Five-Year Capital Plan Annual Update DCI #460674.)
Additional standards, codes, protocols, procedures and guidelines
In addition to the standards, codes, protocols, procedures and guidelines listed in sections 2.0 to 5.0 of the Protocol for ISC-Funded Infrastructure, First Nations and First Nations organization recipients for funding from the CFMP must also meet the following standards, codes, protocols, procedures and guidelines:
- ISC Design Guidelines for Wastewater Systems, BC Region, Third Edition, Nov, 2008
- Design Guidelines for Road Works
- Emergency Response Plan for Wastewater Systems in First Nations Communities
- Emergency Response Plan for Drinking Water Systems in First Nations Communities
- A Practical Guide to School Projects
- A Practical Guide to Housing – How to Access Housing Subsidies / A Practical Guide to Capital Projects
- A Practical Guide to Operations and Maintenance
- British Columbia Groundwater Protection Regulation
- British Columbia Building Code
- British Columbia Plumbing Code
- British Columbia Fire Code
Solid waste
- British Columbia: Waste Management Act, RSBC 1996 Chap 482, Reg 317/04
- British Columbia: Environmental Management Act – Hazardous Waste Regulation, B.C. Reg. 63/88
- British Columbia: Environmental Management Act – Municipal Waste Management, SBC 2003 Chap 53
- British Columbia: Environmental Management Act, Contaminated Sites Regulation, B.C. Reg. 375/96
- British Columbia: Environmental Management Act, Storage of Recyclable Material Regulation, B.C. Reg. 133/92
- British Columbia: Environmental Management Act, Oil and Gas Waste Regulation, B.C. Reg. 254/2005
- British Columbia: Environmental Management Act, Waste Discharge Regulation, B.C. Reg. 320/2004
Annex D Manitoba Region
Additional regulations, policies, directives, standards, protocols, specifications, guidelines and procedures
The following represents the list of additional requirements that only apply to eligible recipients that are First Nations and First Nations organizations within the Manitoba Region.
Additional requirements
Circuit Rider Training Program
All First Nations and First Nation organizations receiving funding for the Circuit Rider Training Program from ISC must also meet the following requirements:
- the council must use the funding provided by the Minister of Indigenous Services to provide training and technical assistance to all Manitoba First Nation water and wastewater facility operators to ensure the facilities are operated and maintained properly at all times.
- the council must provide a report detailing the following information no later than 15 working days after each First Nation visit:
- date and length of each visit
- nature of the visit (regular scheduled training or emergency assistance)
- name of the First Nation
- name of the operators trained
- detailed instruction items provided to operators
- the council shall provide the summarized annual report no later than June 30. The summarized report must include:
- total number of visits during the fiscal year (April 1 to March 31)
- dates of each visit
- name of the operators trained during each visit
- type of each visit (regular instruction or emergency assistance)
- name of the instructor
- the council shall include a separate schedule in the Annual Audited Financial Statements detailing the following:
- salary
- travel
- telecommunications
- portable laboratory supplies
- tools and safety equipment
- administration fee
Schools Maintenance Training Program
All First Nations and First Nation organizations receiving funds for the Schools Maintenance Training Program from funding for the O&M of education assets and facilities must also meet the following requirements:
- Delivery standards:
- the council shall use the funding provided by the Minister to provide training and technical assistance to all Manitoba First Nation school maintenance personnel to ensure school facilities are operated and maintained properly at all times. All schools shall be visited by a qualified instructor, at a minimum of twice a year. All instructors shall also be available Monday to Friday (except on statutory holidays) from 8:30 am to 4:30 pm to provide technical support through telecommunication such as email or phone.
- Reporting requirements:
- the council shall provide an on-site training report to the First Nations chief and council, First Nation school principal and the Minister of Indigenous Services detailing the following information, no later than 15 working days after each First Nations school on-site training visit:
- name of First Nations school
- name of First Nations school personnel trained
- date and length of the training visit
- type of visit (regular or emergency)
- detailed description of training activities conducted during the visit
- the council shall provide a summarized annual report detailing all training provided through both on-site visits and telecommunication during the fiscal year no later than June 30 (School Maintenance Training Program Annual Report - Ad-Hoc (11/12-X)).
- the council shall provide an on-site training report to the First Nations chief and council, First Nation school principal and the Minister of Indigenous Services detailing the following information, no later than 15 working days after each First Nations school on-site training visit:
Operator Certification Training and Annual Operator Workshop
All First Nations and First Nation organizations receiving funding for the Operator Certification Training and Annual Operator Workshop under the First Nations Water and Wastewater Action Plan must also meet the following requirements:
- the council shall use the funding provided by the Minister of Indigenous Services to provide certification training to all participating Manitoba First Nations water and wastewater facility operators, and an annual operator workshop
- the council shall provide the Minister of Indigenous Services with a training plan for each training session detailing the number of participants, tuition costs, travel and accommodation costs, etc. to ensure the appropriate amount of training funding is released
- the council shall also provide a detailed report for each training session with the training outcomes including the duration of the training, the date, the names of the participants, the training type and level, and the detailed costs using acceptable line objects no later than three months after each training session
Solid waste
- The Environment Act, C.C.S.M. c.E125
- The Environment Act, Waste Management Facilities Regulation, Reg. 37/2016
- The Waste Reduction and Prevention Act, C.C.S.M. c.W40
- The Regional Waste Management Authorities Act, C.C.S.M c.R38
- The Regional Waste Management Authorities Act, Solid Waste Area Management Project Establishment Regulation, Reg. 60/98
- The Manitoba Hazardous Waste Management Corporation Act, C.C.S.M. c.H15
- The Dangerous Goods Handling and Transportation Act, C.C.S.M c.D12
- Special Waste (Shredder Residue) Regulation, Reg. 113/2003
- Standards for Transfer Stations in Manitoba (PDF)
- Standards for Landfills in Manitoba (PDF)
- Landfill Operation (PDF)
- Guide for Asbestos Management (PDF)
Annex E Ontario Region
Additional regulations, policies, directives, standards, protocols, specifications, guidelines and procedures
The following represents the list of additional requirements that only apply to eligible recipients that are First Nations and First Nations organizations within the Ontario Region.
Additional requirements
Operation and maintenance of infrastructure assets and facilities:
- winter roads
- The council must administer the construction, operation and maintenance subsidy for winter roads in accordance with ISC's Winter Road Construction, Operation and Maintenance Management Regime
- Provide advice and administrative services through a resource center coordinator who will facilitate, where required, communications between the First Nation, Ministry of Energy, Northern Development and Mines (MNDM) of the province of Ontario, and ISC
- other protection (flood emergency preparation)
- The council shall co-ordinate the flood watch activities including:
- liaising and meeting with federal and provincial agencies prior to and during spring break-up and fall freeze-up, when required
- river surveillance
- communicate information and awareness with First Nation community and to ISC
- co-ordinate community evacuation preparation activities if required for provision of fire protection services
- The council shall co-ordinate the flood watch activities including:
- fuel freight differential
- The council shall ensure the distribution of the fuel freight differential for additional mobilization costs as it relates to the operation and maintenance of ISC-funded assets
- Independent Power Authority (IPA) operational support for previous year operational loss
- The council shall provide the audited statements/schedules and IPA Statement of Operations report from the previous year to determine the level of assistance to ensure operational requirements for the IPAs.
- First Nations Water and Wastewater Enhanced Plan
First Nation Operator Certification training funding
The council agrees that this funding will be used to ensure that the primary and back-up (if applicable) operator(s) are provincially certified by the Ministry of Environment and Climate Change in Ontario, to the same level of the water/wastewater system.
The council agrees to provide the Minister of Indigenous Services with a training plan for each training session detailing the name of participants, tuition costs, travel and accommodation costs etc. to ensure the appropriate amount of training funding is released. The eligible recipients shall also provide a detailed report for each training session with the training outcomes including the duration of the training, the date, completion certificate, the names of the participants, the training type and level, and the actual costs using acceptable line objects, within the reporting requirements identified.
Circuit Rider Training Program
The council shall encourage the First Nation water/wastewater plant operators to participate in the Circuit Rider Training Program, and agree to provide the Minister of Indigenous Services with all information required by the circuit rider trainer service provider. The eligible recipients agree to follow the requirements of the Circuit Rider Training Program Minimum Program Requirements for Water and Wastewater Systems document that is updated from time to time.
Enhanced operation and maintenance funding
The council shall agree to provide the required water and wastewater operation and maintenance - revenue and expenditure summary, detailing all operation and maintenance funding received for water/wastewater system assets, and the actual expenditures for the previous fiscal year, and planned expenditures for the current fiscal year.
Operation and maintenance of infrastructure assets and facilities – general:
- the council must provide for the preservation of public health, safety and the environment (for example, address drinking water advisories in a timely manner).
Triennial Asset Condition Reporting System
The council must administer the formal Triennial Asset Condition Reporting System ACRS inspection process on behalf of their member First Nations per the terms and conditions in the ACRS manual.
The council must provide to the Minister of Indigenous Services the Triennial ACRS Report in accordance with the ACRS Manual, Ontario Version as amended from time to time. (See Recipient Reporting Guide - Triennial Asset Condition Reporting System (ACRS) Report-DCI #460649)
Solid waste
- Waste Diversion Transition Act, S.O. 2016, c.12
- Environmental Assessment Act, R.S.O. 1990, c.E.18
- Environmental Protection Act, R.S.O. 1990, c.E19
- Landfill design standards under Reg. 232
- Standards for disposal sites, the management, tracking and disposal of hazardous and liquid industrial waste under Reg. 347
- Requirements for landfill gas collection under O. Reg. 217/08
- Requirements for municipal Blue Box programs under O. Reg. 101/94
- Requirements for Industrial Commercial and Institutional sector to reduce waste and recover resource under '3Rs' regulations: O. Reg. 102/94, O. Reg. 103/94 and O. Reg. 104/94
- Requirements for producers of pharmaceuticals and sharps to establish free collection locations across Ontario for pharmaceuticals and sharps they no longer need under Reg. 298/12
- Ontario Compost Quality Standards under Reg. 347 and Guidelines for the Production of Compost
- Waste Management Projects, O. Reg. 101/07
- Waste Management – PCB's, O. Reg. 362
- Waste Disposal Sites, Waste management Systems and Sewage Works Subject to Approval under or exempt from the Environmental Assessment Act, O. Reg. 206/97
- Waste Audits and Waste Reduction Work Plans, O. Reg. 102/94
- Resource Recovery and Circular Economy Act, 2016, S.O. 2016, c.12, Sched. 1
- Food and Organic Waste Policy Statement
Annex F Quebec Region
Additional regulations, policies, directives, standards, protocols, specifications, guidelines, and procedures
The following represents the list of additional requirements that only apply to eligible recipients that are First Nations and First Nations organizations within the Quebec Region.
Additional requirements
Solid waste
- Environmental Quality Act, Q-2
- Environmental Quality Act, Regulation respecting the landfilling and incineration of residual materials, Q-2, r.19
- Environmental Quality Act, Regulation respecting hazardous materials Q-2, r.32
- Environmental Quality Act, Regulation respecting used tire storage, Q-2, r.20
Annex G Saskatchewan Region
Additional regulations, policies, directives, standards, protocols, specifications, guidelines, and procedures
The following represents the list of additional requirements that only apply to eligible recipients that are First Nations and First Nation organizations within the Saskatchewan Region.
Additional requirements
First Nations and First Nations organizations receiving funding for specific programs must also meet the following requirements:
- Capital Facilities and Maintenance Program service guide
- The Council shall meet the requirements of the programs they are funded for as identified in the Saskatchewan Region, Capital Facilities and Maintenance Program Service Guide provided on a yearly basis.
- band based capital
- With respect to the use of band-based capital program, the council shall meet the requirements of the following when delivering the program
- Band-based capital guidelines, Saskatchewan Region, November 2019
- With respect to the use of band-based capital program, the council shall meet the requirements of the following when delivering the program
- major capital facilities service delivery
- The Council shall follow the Operating Instructions for Major Capital Projects, Saskatchewan Region issued August 2018
- These operating instructions may be amended from time to time
In addition:
- relative to capital projects, for each of the projects listed in the approved capital and site plan, prepare and carry out a project implementation plan, appropriate to the size and nature of the project, which will:
- provide a complete description of the project scope of work
- provide a project schedule with milestones and cost estimates for each project phase
- outline the project management and implementation regime
- confirm that the appointed project manager(s) will have experience and qualifications commensurate with the scope and complexity of each project
- obtain all inspections by duly qualified inspectors needed to certify compliance with all applicable federal and provincial codes, protocols, standards and guidelines and in accordance with ISC protocols, guidelines and level of service standards, as may be amended from time to time. This includes the Protocol for Centralized Drinking Water Systems in First Nations Communities
- relative to capital projects, ensure that appropriate professionals, licensed in the province or territory in which the work is being done, have been or will be retained to conduct the stamping and/or certification of all designs and to carry out inspections of the work where the public's health and safety are involved, or where the work is beyond the competence of a technician or technologist and to provide as built drawings
- relative to federally funded capital projects, excluding housing, follow the tendering policy of ISC, where the First Nation does not have a tendering policy in place that meets ISC standards. The eligible recipients shall call tenders to ensure best value, prudence, probity and sound contract management. Best value may include consideration of opportunities to secure socio-economic benefits on behalf of the community. Where the general contracting approach is used, the eligible recipients shall:
- where the total cost of the contract for the construction work is estimated at more than $500,000, call for open tenders and publicly advertise them
- where the total cost of the contract for the construction work is estimated at between $100,000 and $500,000, use 1 of the following 2 competitive tendering options:
- an open tender through public advertisement
- an invited tender where bids are invited from a selected list of at least 3 qualified contractors, which could be qualified Indigenous contractors or suppliers
- where the total cost of the contract for the construction work is estimated at less than $100,000, award the contract in a manner that ensures value for money
where the construction management approach is used, the council shall:
- where the total cost of the contract for the construction work is estimated at more than $100,000, call for open tenders and publicly advertise them;
- where the total cost of the contract for the construction work is estimated at between $25,000 and $100,000, use 1 of the following 2 competitive tendering options:
- an open tender through public advertisement
- an invited tender where bids are invited from a selected list of at least 3 qualified contractors, which could be qualified Indigenous contractors or suppliers
- where the total cost of the contract for the construction work is estimated at less than $25,000, award the contract in a manner that ensures value for money.
- provide the Minister of Indigenous Services with a copy of any changes to its tendering policy for construction contracts.
Jurisdictional approvals
The council shall obtain all jurisdictional approvals and comply with all statutory requirements for capital projects, including environmental screening records, land use easements and dedication, and approvals as applicable from Health Canada, Environment Canada, Transport Canada, Canadian National Railway, Canadian Pacific Railway, Saskatchewan Department of Labour, Saskatchewan Workers Compensation Board, Saskatchewan Telecommunications, Saskatchewan Department of Highways, Saskatchewan Power Corporation, Saskatchewan Environmental and Resource Management, Saskatchewan Water Corporation, Saskatchewan Health, Saskatchewan Energy and Saskatchewan Municipal Government.
Community-Based On-Reserve Housing Program
Housing funds can be used for all housing related activities including:
- maintenance and insurance
- renovations
- new construction
- debt charges
- training
- management
- administrative expenses
Where a community wide shelter charge regime is put into place, the income assistance program will provide shelter allowances to eligible households to cover such charges (rents or ownership costs). Shelter charges will be consistent with provincial income assistance programs and charges must customarily be collected whether or not the house is occupied by an income assistance recipient.
Any shelter charges for households dependent on income assistance that would result in an increased demand on income assistance funding must be offset from other funds, which are usually funds available for housing. There must be no incremental cost to the Minister beyond current resources.
Solid waste
- The Environmental Management and Protection Act, 2010
- The Municipal Refuse Management Regulations, 1986 E-10.2 Reg. 4
- The Hazardous Substances and Waste Dangerous Goods Regulations, 1989 E 10.2 Reg 3 (63/2000) (PDF)
- Starting a Regional Waste Management System in Saskatchewan, 2016 (PDF)
- Landfill Closure Guidance, 2015 (PDF)
- The PCB Waste Storage Regulations, 1989 E-10.2 Reg. 6 (PDF)
- The Waste Paint Management Regulations, 2005 E-10.21 Reg. 3 (PDF)
- The Household Hazardous Waste Products Stewardship Regulations, 2019 E 10.22 Reg. 8 (PDF)
Annex H Yukon Region
Additional regulations, policies, directives, standards, protocols, specifications, guidelines, and procedures
The following represents the list of additional requirements that only apply to eligible recipients that are First Nations and First Nation organizations within the Yukon Region.
Additional requirements
Capital funding
With respect to the use of capital funding, the First Nation must meet the requirements of the following:
- CIRNAC Yukon Region Capital Facilities and Maintenance Program Guide for First Nation Capital Managers (February 2020)
Please contact the ISC Yukon regional office to obtain the most recent copy of this document.
The Yukon Region serves 6 Indian Act First Nations, 3 in Northern British Columbia and 3 in Yukon. Applicable regulations, policies, directives, standards, protocols, specifications, guidelines, and procedures will be followed depending on where projects are located. For British Columbia First Nations see Annex C above.
Yukon Environmental Socio-economic Assessment Act applies to land in the Yukon Territory and replaces the Canadian Environmental Assessment Act (CEAA) which applies in the rest of Canada. Any project that falls under either legislation must meet all requirements and standards and receive approval from the governing body prior to departmental approval.
- Drinking Water Regulation - Public Health and Safety Act, O.I.C 2007/139 (PDF)
- Building Standards Act (2002), RSY 2002, c.19, Government of Yukon (PDF)
- Building and Plumbing Bylaw, Bylaw 2009-16, City of Whitehorse
Solid waste
- Environment Act, O.I.C. 1992/135 (PDF)
- Environment Act, Solid Waste Regulations, O.I.C. 2000/11 (PDF)
- Environment Act, Special Waste Regulations, O.I.C. 1995/047 (PDF)
- Environment Act, Contaminated Sites Regulations, O.I.C. 2002/171 (PDF)
- Environment Act, Designated Materials Regulations, O.I.C. 2003/184 (PDF)
- Requirements for Public Waste Disposal Facilities, 2014, SOLW7 (PDF)
- Ministerial Committee on Solid Waste, Recommendations for Solid Waste Management System, 2018 (PDF)
Annex I Northwest Territories
(Additional regulations, policies, directives, standards, protocols, specifications, guidelines, and procedures)
The following represents the list of additional requirements that only apply to eligible recipients that are First Nations and First Nation organizations within the Northwest Territories Region.