Frequently Asked Questions - Northern Aboriginal Economic Opportunities Program (NAEOP)

Q.1 How is the Northern Aboriginal Economic Opportunities Program (NAEOP) different from CanNor’s previous Aboriginal Economic Development (AED) programs?

NAEOP replaces CanNor’s former four Aboriginal Economic Development programs: Community Economic Development Program, Community Support Services Program, Community Economic Opportunities Program and the Aboriginal Business Development Program.

Under NAEOP, and to better respond to the growing economic opportunities in Canada's three territories, CanNor now offers two funding streams accessed through project-based applications:

  1. a Community Readiness and Opportunities Planning stream for First Nations and Inuit communities and organizations to help them plan for and participate in economic opportunities, and
  2. an Entrepreneurship and Business Development stream to support Aboriginal entrepreneurs to establish or expand their businesses.

Support under NAEOP is proposal-based and fully opportunity-driven, focused on results and geared toward maximizing economic opportunities for Aboriginal communities and businesses, replacing the funding approach under the former AED programs, where the majority of the funding was formula driven with population-based funding allocations.

In addition, under NAEOP, CanNor is expanding the possible types of delivery arrangements and is improving service to clients, including streamlined application, assessment and reporting processes.

Q.2 Has the level of funding available to Aboriginal organizations changed with the new program?

Funding for Aboriginal economic development remains at $10.8 million annually for northern Aboriginal entrepreneurs and communities, with a focus on economic development opportunities and outcomes. To meet the needs and opportunities in the North, population-based formula-driven core funding for economic development organizations will be phased out over the course of the next three years, shifting the funding to be available to respond to opportunity-driven initiatives.

Q.3 When did NAEOP come into effect and what are the next steps?

NAEOP was implemented on April 1, 2014. CanNor will be working closely with its clients throughout implementation to provide them with information and ensure they understand the criteria and terms and conditions for NAEOP, as well as support them in the application process.

CanNor continues to collaborate with Aboriginal Financial Institutions and Community Economic Development Organizations to implement the program. Efforts are also under way with these organizations to establish alternate service delivery arrangements for the new program, which are targeted to begin in the summer/fall of 2014.

Q.4 What activities are eligible under NAEOP?

Support under NAEOP is targeted to Aboriginal recipients and prioritizes activities and initiatives that are opportunity-driven, focused on results, and geared toward making the most of economic opportunities for Aboriginal communities and businesses. Non-Aboriginal applicants providing services to Aboriginals are no longer eligible.

For information on what activities are eligible under NAEOP’s two program streams, visit the CanNor website:

Q.5 Are there any limitations under NAEOP?

The criteria and terms and conditions (coming soon) under NAEOP are intended to support activities that help to increase the participation of Aboriginal communities and businesses in economic opportunities.

Population-based and formula-driven core funding for economic development organizations will be phased out over the course of the next three years (ending March 31, 2017), and the phased out funding will be shifted to respond to opportunity-driven initiatives.

Q.6 Will there be any differences between CanNor’s NAEOP programming and what is offered by Aboriginal Affairs and Northern Development Canada in the rest of Canada?

CanNor continues to work closely with Aboriginal Affairs and Northern Development Canada (AANDC) to ensure eligibility is consistent nationally, while remaining relevant and effective for the needs and opportunities of Canada's northern communities and entrepreneurs. Given the various dynamics at play in the North (such as predominantly off-reserve, with land claims and/or self-governing agreements), some differences in implementation may result.

AANDC national programs continue to serve northern Aboriginal peoples in areas and elements not covered by CanNor's NAEOP (such as lands management).

Q.7 Are Métis organizations eligible to apply for NAEOP funding?

Métis and non-status Indians continue to be eligible for financial support under NAEOP's Entrepreneurship and Business Development stream for entrepreneurship and business development activities. Eligibility criteria are similar to those under the former Aboriginal Business Development Program. Métis and non-status Indians also continue to be eligible for support available through the rest of CanNor's program suite (e.g., Strategic Investments in Northern Economic Development) for community economic development activities.

Q.8 How is NAEOP delivered?

Generally, NAEOP is delivered through CanNor’s regional officers. As well, provisions for alternate service delivery arrangements are targeted to begin in the summer/fall of 2014.

Q.9 Are Aboriginal organizations involved in delivering the program?

Aboriginal organizations will be eligible to apply to deliver components of NAEOP through alternate service delivery arrangements. CanNor collaborates with Aboriginal Financial Institutions and Community Economic Development Organizations to develop and implement alternate service delivery arrangements. Alternate service delivery of the new program is targeted to begin in the summer/fall of 2014.

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