What Is the Emergency Treatment Fund in Canada?

Health Canada’s Emergency Treatment Fund (ETF) is a national program that gives short-term funding to help communities act fast on substance use and overdose issues. It supports urgent, ready-to-go projects that strengthen local services in a culturally relevant, evidence-based way.

• Contribution funding to help municipalities and Indigenous communities respond quickly to overdose and substance use problems

• Supports projects that build local capacity with culturally safe, trauma-informed, evidence-based services

Who is eligible for the Emergency Treatment Fund?

• Canadian municipalities and their agencies (outside Quebec and Alberta)

• Indigenous entities: First Nations, Inuit, Métis governing bodies, Modern Treaty Holders, Self-Governing Nations

• Indigenous not-for-profit organizations, associations, and health authorities

Who can apply for the Emergency Treatment Fund?

• Eligible municipalities and Indigenous entities as listed above

• Quebec and Alberta Indigenous entities are eligible

• Past or current ETF recipients may apply, but the project must be new and distinct

• Priority may go to applicants who have not received ETF funding before

What are the conditions of the Emergency Treatment Fund?

• Projects must be urgent, financially feasible, and ready to begin quickly

• Activities must complete between April 1, 2026 and March 31, 2027

• Eligible uses include capital purchases tied to substance use programming (for example vehicle retrofit or acquisition)

• New building construction is not eligible

How much funding is available?

• Maximum of $2,000,000 per fiscal year per recipient

• Total envelope: $150 million over three years

Deadline dates to know

• Application opens October 6, 2025 at 4:00 pm ET

• Application closes November 4, 2025 at 2:00 pm ET

• Submit via the Funding Application System

• Questions may be directed to etf-fut@hc-sc.gc.ca

Any questions about the Emergency Treatment Fund?

The Emergency Treatment Fund offers a way to move fast on gaps in care tied to substance use and overdose. If your community needs extra capacity or tools (like vehicles for outreach), this fund might help you act now.

If you have questions or want to talk through whether your idea could qualify, click the button below to talk to one of our mobility experts.

Note: MoveMobility does not provide this funding and cannot assist with applications. This information is shared to help raise awareness and encourage support for funding or grant opportunities that may assist your program.