Humanitarian Workforce Program
Funds Canadian NGOs to build and deploy trained emergency responders for large-scale disasters, supporting readiness and on-the-ground relief across Canada.
Funder: Public Safety Canada
Due Dates: March 31, 2029 (program end) | Rolling submissions until program expiry
Funding Amounts: Up to $35M/year (2026–2029) for all projects combined; no set max per organization; funding based on project scope and need.
Summary: Funds Canadian NGOs to build and deploy trained emergency responders for disaster and emergency support across Canada.
Key Information: Only Canadian not-for-profit organizations with national reach and demonstrated emergency response capacity are eligible.
Description
The Humanitarian Workforce Program supports Canadian non-governmental organizations (NGOs) in building and maintaining the capacity to respond to large-scale emergencies, such as wildfires, floods, severe storms, and public health crises. The program provides funding for both readiness (capacity-building) and deployment activities to ensure that trained emergency responders can be rapidly mobilized when provincial, territorial, or local resources are overwhelmed. Supported activities include operating evacuation centres, providing emergency shelter and supplies, supporting evacuations and family reunification, and assisting with search and rescue, first aid, and volunteer coordination. The goal is to reduce the burden on local responders and ensure timely, compassionate support to affected communities, with a focus on reaching vulnerable and marginalized populations.
