Support to Increase Demand and Resilience of Canada’s Forest Sector

Canada’s Investments in Forest Industry Transformation (IFIT) is advertising 50% grant (non-repayable) funding up to $20 million to pilot, commercialize or transform wood products, processes, and technologies to diversify and increase demand for Canadian wood as well as strengthen sector global competitiveness. Eligible recipients are for-profit companies located in Canada that either:

• produce forest products in an existing forest product manufacturing facility (for example, pulp, paper, or solid/engineered wood products facility), or
• are/will be new entrants in the forest sector undertaking such transformational projects.

Projects must be “first in Canada” and completed by March 31, 2023. Additionally, projects need to result in or lead to the production of innovative wood products/applications, bioproducts or bioenergy technologies OR employ novel practices or equipment (including components of larger systems and technologies) that improve efficiencies in manufacturing, upstream activities or logistics within the forest sector supply chain.

The program does not support projects at a research and development stage. Deadline for Applications is July 22, 2021.

$21 Million Available to Teach Farm or Food Processor Labour Skills to Youth.

Canada’s Youth Employment and Skills Program will contribute 50% up to $14,000 towards hiring employing youth 15-30 years old. Eligible employers are farmers, food processors and agricultural related non-governmental organizations (NGOs) who can offer career-related work experiences and skills. Examples of eligible employers/career-related work experience and skills are:

• farmers who wish to hire workers for planting and harvesting crops or managing livestock,
• agricultural businesses, such as greenhouses, orchards, vineyards, vegetable producers who have general labor needs,
• small businesses supplying agricultural products or services,
• food processors in need of labor

Eligible youth must be between 15 to 30 years old, unemployed or under employed, and a Canadian citizen, permanent resident or have refugee status. If hiring youth facing barrier(s) or Indigenous individuals or organizations, employers will receive 80% support up to $14,000. As well, an additional $5,000 of funding is available to offset the costs of employee relocation or incremental expenses in hiring youth facing barriers, e.g., critical transportation, assistance with dependents, accommodation needs, accessibility equipment/technology etc. These additional costs will be supported at 100%). Program funding will be provided on a first come first served basis and will be quickly exhausted.

Support for Equipment Purchases, Installation and Commissioning

Manitoba’s Capital Assets and Equipment offers 25% funding up to $2.5 million towards the cost of capital investments $1 million that support enhanced efficiency, productivity and environmental sustainability.

Provincial agri-food/agri-product processors and abattoirs involved in value-added activities are eligible to apply, as are food distributors and licensed commercial kitchens.

Eligible activities/expenses must occur in Manitoba and can include:

• new and innovative technology
• process automation
• production scale-up
• addition of equipment incremental to current operations
• skill development and training
• major expansion projects, including those that address environmental sustainability, such as wastewater treatment.

Although there is no guarantee of funding, applicants can apply for expenses incurred from the date of submitting a complete application.

For projects under $1 million, government support cannot exceed 25 per cent of eligible expenses, to a maximum of $50,000/submission/ government fiscal year (i.e., April 1-March 31). There are typically two intakes annually, e.g., June and November. Applicants can receive up to $100,000 over the life of the program. All projects must be a minimum of $10,000 for a duration 12 months or less. The next deadline for applications is 11.59 CST June 1, 2021

For projects over $1 million, government support cannot exceed 25 per cent of the first $100,000 of eligible expenses, and 10 per cent of expenses over the first $100,000, to a maximum contribution of $2.5 million. Projects can be for up to 24 months. For these projects, applications are received on a continual basis subject to funding availability.

Allow for a minimum of 4 months to receive a decision on funding.

Only 4 weeks left to Apply

The Eastern Ontario Development Fund (EODF) advertises 15% up to $5 million in grants and four-year interest-free loans towards investments that create jobs and lead to economic growth. Eligible expenditures include equipment, consulting services, facility retrofits and expansions, as well as employee training and other project-related costs. Projects must be between 3 and 4 years in length to be undertaken by businesses located or plan to be in one of the following Eastern Ontario counties: Frontenac, Halliburton, Hastings, Kawartha Lakes, Lanark, Leeds, Grenville, Lennox, Addington, Muskoka, Northumberland, Ottawa, Peterborough, Prescott, Russell, Prince Edward, Renfrew, Stormont, Dundas or Glengarry. Applicants are required to have 3 years of financial statements and represent one of the following sectors: manufacturing, processing, information or communication technology, life sciences, tourism, or the cultural industry.

Applicants in rural communities with populations less than 100,000 can receive the first 15% funding up to $500,000 as a grant, are required to make an investment of no less than $200,000 and create 5 jobs. Applicants in communities with populations more than 100,000 are required to invest $500,000 and create 10 jobs to be eligible for a 15% interest-free loans of up to $5 million, of which, 30% to a maximum of $500,000 is forgivable if the applicant achieves job creation and investment targets.

Strategic new investments to Ontario (companies without a presence in Ontario), or companies whose investment plans (including new mandates, expansion or re-shoring/relocation) are subject to significant risk due to incentives offered from other jurisdictions, are eligible to receive 15% up to $1.5 million as a grant. Next deadline is June 4, 2021. 

Apply Early as Funding is Limited

Canada’s Digital Skills for Youth program offers 50% grant funding up to $15,000 to hire a post-secondary graduate for an environment-focused position requiring digital abilities. Examples of eligible positions include but not limited to:

• Cleantech innovation and sustainable technology initiatives.
• Digital marketing.
• Developers that create environment-related digital media, apps or software
• GHG specialists in charge of predictive modeling or the analysis of emissions.
• Drone operators that monitor agriculture, land and/or remote sites or wildlife corridors.
• GIS specialists that use software to analyze mapping data or databases that surround environmental monitoring.
• Analysts and IT specialists working with EHS data.

All Canadian businesses with less than 500 employees are eligible, however, the positions must be for a minimum of 3 months plus offer the new hire skills and experience to increase employability. The new hire is to be 15 to 30 years old, a Canadian citizens, permanent resident or refugee, who is unemployed, underemployed or working part-time. Please note that new hires for positions in the Territories only require a secondary school diploma rather than a post-secondary degree.

Funding for up to 4 years

The Southwestern Ontario Development Fund (SODF) advertises 15% up to $5 million in grants and four-year interest-free loans towards investments that create jobs and lead to economic growth. Eligible expenditures include equipment, consulting services, facility retrofits and expansions, as well as employee training and other project-related costs incurred over 3 to 4 years. Only expenses incurred after receiving approval (i.e., June 2, 2021) will be eligible for reimbursement.

Businesses are required to have 3 years of financial statements and be (or plan to be) located in one of the following Southwestern Ontario counties: (Brant, Bruce, Chatham-Kent, Dufferin, Elgin, Essex, Grey, Haldimand, Huron, Lambton, Middlesex, Niagara, Norfolk, Oxford, Perth, Simcoe, Waterloo and Wellington). Applicants in rural communities (populations under 100,000) must have at least 5 employees and may receive up to $500,000 as a grant. Rural businesses are required to make investments of no less than $200,000. Applicants in communities with populations over 100,000 may receive 15% up to $5 million as an interest-free loan. These businesses must have 10 or more employees and plan to invest at least $500,000. Up to 30% of the loan is forgivable to a maximum of $500,000 if the applicant achieves its job creation and investment targets.

Strategic new investments to Ontario (companies without a presence in Ontario), or companies whose investment plans (including new mandates, expansion, or re-shoring/relocation) are subject to significant risk due to incentives offered from other jurisdictions, are eligible to receive 15% up to $1.5 million as a grant.

Businesses with 15 or more employees must create 5 jobs by project completion. Companies with fewer employees are required to increase their workforce by 30%. Only costs incurred after approval are eligible for funding.  There is also 50% grants funding up to $1.5 million for community economic development. Next application intake is April 22, 2021 – June 4, 2021 for projects beginning September 1, 2021.