SUBMISSION INSTRUCTIONS

You are invited to submit a proposal for a project by the Chiefs of Ontario to engage First Nation leadership in Ontario by conducting: An external review of the Canada Ontario Agreement (Please see background and context for further details)

REQUEST FOR FACILITATOR PROPOSALS
Submission Deadline: November 12th, 2026; Time: 5 pm Eastern Standard Time (EST)

A proposal must be submitted as a PDF file to Chiefs of Ontario with two (2) hard copies of the proposals to be shipped to the Chiefs of Ontario. The proposal must be received by Chiefs of Ontario no later than the deadline date. A proposal submitted in any other manner or late may be disqualified.

The proposal shall be irrevocably open for acceptance and binding on the Facilitator for fourteen (14) days after the Submission Deadline date.

The interested candidate’s proposal must include the following:
• A demonstration of their expertise in addressing issues related to: TEK, Water, First Nations, COA, GLWQA, IJC.
• A work plan in alignment with the project deliverables within the provided timeframe
• A proposed budget for the completion of the work with a budget schedule in alignment with the completion of each project deliverable for a max amount of $30K.

Background and Context
The Chiefs of Ontario, Environment Department is looking for a review of the Canada Ontario Agreement (COA) taking into consideration the positions of First Nations, past recommendations and changing roles/support for First Nations. The review would identify successes as they relate to First Nations, identify gaps, and make recommendations for the new COA. Looking at a final submission in March 2027 following information and engagement sessions November 2026-February 2027.

Objectives and Key Deliverables:
Review the current COA taking into consideration past recommendations and identifying gaps, successes, and compiling a final report of recommendations specific to First Nations in the new COA10.

Methodology:
Literature reviews, interviews with First Nations as required, working with the Chiefs of Ontario’s Environment Team.

The Successful Candidate Will Have:
A First Nation person with a PhD who can demonstrate a minimum of 10 years working with First Nations, and extensive research as it relates to First Nations, TEK, water, and academic research.

Working Relationship:
Has an extensive working relationship with First Nations, First Nation organizations, academia, and governments.

Required Schedule with Milestones:
• 1st virtual meeting: Information and dialogue (MECP/CWA will provide presentation) – December, 2026
• 2nd virtual meeting: Recommendations for the new COA – January, 2027
• Presentation of draft recommendations at COA Executive and First Nations Annual Meeting – February, 2027
• Final Report and Recommendations – March, 2027 following meetings, events and engagement sessions November 2026-February 2027.
• Presentation of Final Report and Recommendations at the COO Annual Assembly – June, 2027

Receipt of Proposals:

Packages to be clearly marked: “RFP: External Review COA” by DATE: November 12, 2026 TIME: 5 PM Eastern Standard Time (EST).

Please add this page to the front of your proposal:
01-10-26 – COO_RFP Environment-External Review COA

Submit electronically to: Kathleen.Padulo@coo.org

Submissions received after the stated deadline will not be accepted.

Selection of consultant will be awarded the week of November 16, 2026