Reserve Land and Environment Management Program
Budget 2023 provided $30 million over 5 years, starting in 2023 to 2024, to Indigenous Services Canada to enhance the Reserve Land and Environment Management Program, ensuring First Nations can develop capacity to exercise increased responsibility over their lands, resources, and environment. For more information, please see Chapter 4.1.
The Reserve Land and Environment Management Program provides funding to First Nations to develop capacity to manage reserve land, resources and environment.
On this page
About the program
The Reserve Land and Environment Management Program (RLEMP) is a land management capacity building program that provides First Nations with the tools, skills, and knowledge required to manage their reserve lands, resources and environment and undertake Indian Act land management activities on behalf of the Minister of Indigenous Services.
First Nations in the Reserve Land and Environment Management Program are funded to train a land manager for their community through the Professional Lands Management Certification Program, administered by the National Aboriginal Lands Managers Association. Indigenous Services Canada also provides further funding to offset costs to undertake land management activities and operate a community lands office.
Certified land managers oversee work such as leasing, permitting, surveys, land use planning and other land, natural resources and environment activities. Their role provides an important foundation for economic development in First Nation communities.
Participating in the Reserve Land and Environment Management Program can prepare a community for transition to a more comprehensive land management model, such as the Framework Agreement on First Nation Land Management, or comprehensive self-government.
Levels of responsibility
There are 3 levels of responsibility under the Reserve Land and Environment Management Program. As First Nations progress from one level to the next, they develop the lands and environmental management capacity required to manage their reserve lands.
RLEMP Level 1: Training and development
- First Nations are funded to train and certify a land manager through the Professional Lands Management Certification Program and set up a lands office
- First Nations gradually take on land management responsibilities in partnership with Indigenous Services Canada
- Training and development is typically a 2 year process.
RLEMP Level 2: Operational
- Once a First Nation has a certified land manager, they progress to the operational level where they actively manage their reserve lands, natural resources and environment under the Indian Act.
- Indigenous Services Canada will no longer have the primary responsibility for the preparation of land management instruments, but retains the approval function.
RLEMP Level 3: Delegated authority (closed to new entrants since 2011)
- First Nations have additional lands management authority under section 53 or section 60 of the Indian Act
- First Nations will take on the approval function for land management activities as outlined under their delegation.
As First Nations progress through the Reserve Land and Environment Management Program, funding increases in recognition of the additional administrative responsibilities performed under the Indian Act. These administrative responsibilities include:
- lands management such as leases or permits
- environmental management such as environmental site assessments
- natural resource management such as permits for natural resource extraction like fishing and logging
- community-based land use planning
- compliance management such as promotion, monitoring, and enforcement
Funding
Funding is determined by a formula that considers:
- population of the First Nation
- size of the reserve land base
- the type, number and complexity of land and natural resources interests and transactions registered in the Indian Lands Registry System
- environmental activities, such as:
- environmental site assessments
- environmental impact assessments
- environmental monitoring and audits
- compliance activities
- level of responsibility
While a First Nation is training a land manager (RLEMP Level 1), they are eligible for 80% of their operational funding to set up and start running a lands office. Once they have a certified land manager (RLEMP Level 2), First Nations then receive 100% of their operational funding as they take on full responsibility for lands and environmental management activities.
How to apply
A First Nation or tribal council must complete the First Nation Expression of Interest form (PAW# 6978371) and submit it to the nearest Indigenous Services Canada regional office.
Program enrollment is subject to available funding. As such, Indigenous Services Canada may not be able to offer a space to all First Nations that express interest in the Reserve Land and Environment Management Program. Indigenous Services Canada will conduct an assessment to prioritize entrants for program participation.
Prioritization criteria may include:
- Experience with land administration under the Indian Act
- Land management activity registered in the Indian Lands Registry System (ILRS)
- Environmental management knowledge and capacity
- Potential for economic development opportunities
- Prior land management interest
- a low General Assessment
- The General Assessment provides a standard process for identifying potential issues that may impact the delivery of funded services
Once accepted into the Reserve Land and Environment Management Program, the First Nation or tribal council must pass a band council resolution agreeing to the terms of the program.
Deadline
There is no deadline to apply, and applications are considered throughout the year based on available funding.
Program requirements
Although First Nations participating in the Reserve Land and Environment Management Program are responsible for the administration of lands and environmental transactions, the Minister of Indigenous Services maintains the authority to approve all transactions.
All efforts are made to ensure that First Nations remain compliant under the Reserve Land and Environment Management Program, and tools and checklists are available to program participants to help ensure that First Nations meet program requirements. However, First Nations that are unable to meet the terms and conditions of their funding agreement may see a reduction or hold on their funding.
Additional Information
Contact
Contact your regional office or the Indigenous Services Canada Public enquiries at 1-800-567-9604 and ask to speak with an RLEMP specialist in your region.
E-mail: rlemp@sac-isc.gc.ca