Provides Economic Development Assistance to
Coastal Communities

The West Coast Community Adjustment Program (WestCCAP) is a federal initiative aimed at fostering increased economic activity and improving the quality of life in British Columbia’s fishing-dependant coastal communities.
Its goal is to encourage long-term, sustainable economy development and diversification in these coastal communities in order to diversify local economies, facilitate economic adjustment and enable collaboration and partnerships leading to enterprise opportunities.

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Eligible Applicants

Project proponents must be located in a fishing-dependant coastal community and be a registered or incorporated, not-for-profit entity, such as:

• An industry association,
• Municipality or Regional District
• First Nation Band or Tribal Council,
• Research or educational institution,
• Economic development corporation,
• Not for profit society.

Applications from Band owned businesses and non-profit social enterprises will be considered on a case-by-case basis. They must demonstrate that the proposed enterprise will not disturb the competitive balance of the specific industry in the region. Applicants must show in a verifiable way that all of the proposed enterprise’s financial profits will return to the community or to the organization’s social purpose.

Eligible Activities (examples)

Projects Within an Oceans-Based Context:
• Experimental harvesting of new, under-utilized or alternative species
• Experimental fisheries
• Fin-fish and shell-fish aqua-culture pilot projects or research and development
• Technology transfers
• Pre-commercial/demonstration fish processing (pilot testing)
• Tourism product development (non-profit)
• Eco-tourism proposals

Infrastructure Development Projects:
• Marine transportation infrastructure (i.e. wharves,
harbours)
• Marine research facilities
• Development of museums, archeological and historical sites intended to be tourism attractions for the region
• Municipal water and sewage systems needed for a specific economic development purpose (not residential development)
• Waterfront walkways or park-like attractions