Funding for the Agricultural Processing Sector

The Canadian Agricultural Partnership (Processors Stream) offers grants of up to 50% (25% to a maximum of $250,000 for equipment) towards increasing the sustainability, competitiveness and prosperity of Ontario’s agriculture processing sector. Eligible companies include food/pet food processors,  agricultural-based pharmaceuticals/nutraceuticals, ornamentals (flowers, shrubs) and bio-products manufacturers, as well as other entities involved in the transformation of agricultural commodities and products. Funding is provided for projects that support plant/animal health, food safety/traceability, increased productivity, market development, or business planning/assessments. Eligible expenditures include but are not limited to:

• New technology, equipment, hardware or software (e.g. ERP systems) purchase, implementation and employee training
• Audits, assessments and planning
• Retrofits that lead to increased productivity/efficiency,  improved plant/animal health, the development of new products, or the attainment of quality assurance and safety standards such as HACCP or BRC
• Product development, research, testing and related materials/supplies
• Engineering, scientific and other contracted professional services
• Market development and research, sales, promotional activities, travel and accommodation

Costs incurred before receiving approval are ineligible for reimbursement (note: it typically takes roughly 3 months for a decision to be made). Applicants must be based or establishing operations in Ontario, be able to demonstrate potential income of at least $30,000 within three years of applying, plus cannot use awarded funding to undermine other Canadian companies. A maximum of two applications may be submitted per intake. Next deadline for applications is May 8, 2018.

Program Offers Funding for College and University Graduates as Young as 15 Years Old!   

The ICTC CareerConnect program offers a 50% wage subsidy to hire post-secondary graduates for full-time, information and communication technology (ICT) positions. Eligible placements must be located in Barrie, Peterborough, St. Catharines/Niagara Region, Toronto Sudbury, Windsor, or Ottawa, last 6 months, and include but are not limited to the following:

• Software & Hardware Engineering
• Software Testing
• Web Design & Development
• Database Administration
• Help Desk & Technical Support
• Computer Programming
• Project Management
• Network Support
• Technical Writing
• Graphic Design

Candidates must be 15 – 30 years old, unemployed/underemployed, Canadian citizens, permanent residents or have refugee status. Graduates that are receiving Employment Insurance (EI) benefits, or who have previously worked for the applicant company are not eligible.

Grant Supports Technologies and Solutions that Reduce Greenhouse Gas Emissions (GHGs)

The BLOOM Clean Tech Demonstration Program offers funding of 50% to a maximum of $150,000 for Ontario-based demonstrations of innovative clean technologies/solutions that reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Eligible expenditures include:

• Personnel salaries and benefits
• Professional, scientific and technical services
• Purchase, installation, testing and/or commissioning of equipment and solutions
• Supplies and materials such as testing/analytical tools, chemicals and raw materials
• Rentals/leases of facilities and equipment

Only costs incurred after receiving approval and before March 31, 2019 are eligible for reimbursement. Requests for funding must be submitted by two co-applicants: the provider of a clean technology/solution and a secured purchaser of the demonstrated products. Preference will be given to projects that increase awareness and market demand of clean technologies/solutions, and/or reduce risks related to their adoption. The deadline to submit an application is May 31, 2018.

Program Supports Market Development

The Market Access Stream offers up 50% grant funding to a maximum of $350,000 for partnered activities and investments that will boost provincial consumer awareness, access and/or purchasing of Ontario farm food products. Funding can be requested for supporting product preparation, processing, storage, marketing, sales, and distribution.  Eligible project costs include but are not limited to equipment purchases, facility upgrades and retrofits, consulting and professional fees, wages of existing and new employees allocated to the project, as well as promotional, communication, translation and other incremental expenses. All applications must be made by two or more project partners, which may include public institutions, producers, processors, cooperatives, co-packers, distributors, retailers, contract caterers, and Ontario municipalities. Individuals are not eligible for government funding. Applications will be reviewed on a first-come, first-serve basis until funding has been fully allocated. Funding decisions will be released in June, 2018.

Up to $50,000 for Third-Party Certifications 

The AgriAssurance: Small and Medium Enterprises program offers government funding for Canadian agriculture, agri-products and agri-food businesses (including fish and seafood) of up to 50% to a maximum of $50,000 to achieve third-party certifications that lead to sales in a foreign market. Applicants must be prepared to export, have 250 or fewer employees, and be generating less than $50 million in annual revenue.  Eligible expenditures include:

• Consulting, and contracted services
• Hiring new employees
• Travel and accommodation
• Salaries and benefits
• Product-related training for potential buyers
• Translation and interpretation services

Funding is provided only for activities that lead to the achievement of a first-time certification specifically required to access a targeted foreign market. 

Program Supports Ontario Agriculture, Agri-Food and Agri-Products Sector

The Canadian Agriculture Partnership (CAP): Organizations and Collaborations program offers up to 75% in grant funding to a maximum of $1 million (typically less than $100,000) towards initiatives focused on:

• Environmental Stewardship (Soil health and water quality improvements)
• Economic Development (Market development, business analysis, technological solutions)
• Protection and Assurance (Food safety and traceability, animal/plant health)

Eligible organizations include Ontario-based associations, marketing boards, municipalities, economic development offices, aboriginal groups, and other legally recognized, not-for-profit organizations related to the agriculture, agri-food and agri-products sector. Eligible collaborations are combinations of two or more Ontario-based legally recognized businesses, not-for-profit associations/organizations, and/or academic/research institutions in the agriculture, agri-food and agri-products sector. Funding is provided for the following:

• Communication/education/training materials (design, printing, translation, etc)
• Land and facility rentals
• Supplies, including shipping and transportation
• Equipment, construction, software, and retrofits
• Travel and accommodation
• Audits and assessments
• R&D, pilots, and demonstrations
• Skills development and training
• Salaries, contracted services, and consultants

Expenditures must be directly related to the project and incurred after receiving approval. Projects funded under this program are ineligible to receive additional support from other CAP programs. Next deadline to submit an application is April 5, 2018.