Funding Supports Greenhouse Sector

The Greenhouse Competitiveness and Innovation Initiative (GCII) offers grants of up to 50% for projects that increase the competitiveness of Ontario’s commercial greenhouse sector and lead to the development/adoption of innovative technologies. Funding is offered to business partnerships as well as  not-for-profit organizations for activities related to the following:

• Production & Market Development: Improve production efficiencies, diversify and accelerate market development
• Biosecurity: Improve biosecurity, resistance management and emergency preparedness
• Environment: Improve environmental stewardship and sustainability

Eligible expenses include project-related:

• Capital costs including shipping and installation to a maximum 50% of the total budget.
• Wages and benefits;
• Rental/lease of facilities, land and equipment;
• Design, printing and translation of promotional/educational materials;
• Research institution overhead (maximum 25% total budget);
• Travel, meals and accommodation

Applicants are encouraged to request funding of $50,000 to $1 million for projects ending no later than November 30, 2022. Ongoing operating expenses, building construction, land acquisitions plus costs expenses associated with achieving regulatory compliance are ineligible. Project costs already approved for funding by the Canadian Agricultural Partnership will not be considered. Regrettably, this program does not support competitiveness or innovation activities related to growing marijuana. The deadline to submit an application is July 23, 2020.

Program Offers Funding to Combat COVID-19

The Emergency Processing Fund (EPF) contributes up to 50% to a maximum of $5 million to support food processors responding to COVID-19. Funding is offered under 2 streams (i.e. Objectives):

Objective 1 – Emergency COVID Response: supports implementing changes towards enhancing the health and safety of workers during COVID-19. This non-repayable grant supports:

• Plant retrofits and adjustments
• Temporarily increasing capacity for humane slaughter of surplus animals
• other activities, as determined by the Minister

Objective 2 – Strategic Investments: supports improvements, automation, and modernization of production facilities to increase Canada’s food supply during COVID-19. This repayable funding (i.e. no payments for one year after project completion; repaid without interest over a maximum of 10 years) supports:

• Automation and modernization of food processing operations
• Upgrades to reopen shuttered meat processing facilities
• Conversion and adaptation of existing greenhouses to increase year-round horticultural production and variety of products grown
• other activities, as determined by the Minister

Companies with fewer than 500 employees are eligible to receive up to 50% project funding; businesses with more than 500 employees may access up to 25%. Eligible applicants are legally recognized for-profit organizations, cooperatives and indigenous groups operating for at least two years, including:

• Agricultural food processors, as well as producers who further process their own products (e.g. a greenhouse that cleans, sorts, and packages its crops)
• Agricultural producers that are converting or adapting existing greenhouses to increase year-round horticultural production

All activities must be completed by September 30, 2020. The program funds activities retroactive to March 15, 2020.

Note: Seafood processing or manufacturing is not eligible under the program.

Up to $1 Million Grants Available!

The Greenhouse Competitiveness and Innovation Initiative (GCII) offers grants of up to 50% for projects that increase the competitiveness of Ontario’s commercial greenhouse sector and lead to the development/adoption of innovative technologies. Funding is offered to business partnerships as well as  not-for-profit organizations for activities related to the following:

• Production & Market Development: Improve production efficiencies, diversify and accelerate market development
• Biosecurity: Improve biosecurity, resistance management and emergency preparedness
• Environment: Improve environmental stewardship and sustainability

Eligible expenses include project-related:

• Capital costs including shipping and installation to a maximum 50% of the total budget.
• Wages and benefits;
• Rental/lease of facilities, land and equipment;
• Design, printing and translation of promotional/educational materials;
• Research institution overhead (maximum 25% total budget);
• Travel, meals and accommodation

Applicants are encouraged to request funding of $50,000 to $1 million for projects ending no later than November 30, 2022. Ongoing operating expenses, building construction, land acquisitions plus costs expenses associated with achieving regulatory compliance are ineligible. Project costs already approved for funding by the Canadian Agricultural Partnership will not be considered. Regrettably, this program does not support competitiveness or innovation activities related to growing marijuana. The deadline to submit an application is June 19, 2020.

Program Supports Agricultural and Agri-Food Organizations 

The Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada Youth Employment and Skills program contributes 50% up to $14,000 towards the wages and benefits of a new hire. Eligible employees are Canadian citizens and permanent residents up to 30 years of age who are unemployed, underemployed or students. Positions must be full-time (30+ hours/week), last a minimum of 4 months and provide work experience towards increasing employability in the agriculture/agri-food sector. Applicants that hire youth facing employment barriers (e.g. people living with disabilities, single parents) are eligible to receive an additional $5000 as well as up to 80% of the wages of a new hire. 

Funding for the Forest Sector

The Forest Sector Investment and Innovation Program offers 30% 4-year interest-free loans towards projects costing $3 million or more. Up to 50% of the loan may be forgiven if project job creation and investment targets are reached. Supported costs include equipment purchases, building retrofits, export marketing, R&D, training and project-related wages. Funding is available for Ontario wood product manufacturers and processors such as pulp & paper mills, saw mills, secondary manufacturers (e.g. furniture, cupboard and stair case makers) and bio-economy projects. Projects are assessed on number of jobs to be created as well as overall benefits to the sector and Ontario. Loan repayment rate is 3% plus Ontario’s cost of borrowing. First deadline to submit a pre-proposal is June 19, 2020.

The CanExport program offers funding of up to 75% to a maximum of $75,000 for developing export markets. Eligible activities include, but are not limited to:

• Market research (e.g. hiring a market consultant –maximum funding $50,000)
• Development of new marketing tools for international markets (e.g. translation of brochures into another language)
• Legal/advisory fees, such as for securing a distribution agreement or IP protection
• Travel to target markets
• Tradeshow attendance and product promotion

Applicant targeted country or sub-national markets must have previously generated less than $100,000 in revenues or no more than 10% of entire sales. The United States is divided into 5 sub-national markets, while China, Brazil and India are divided into 4 sub-national markets. Eligible applicants are Canadian incorporated/limited liability partnership businesses that have less than 500 full time employees and generate $100,000 to $100 million in annual sales revenue. Project expenses must be at least $20,000 to be considered for funding. Applicants can submit one application per government fiscal year (FYE March 31) but must have completed their initial export project prior to re-applying.