The Canadian Agricultural Partnership (the Partnership) is the new five-year commitment by Canada’s federal, provincial and territorial governments that will support Canada’s agri-food and agri-products sectors.
Strategic initiatives including cost-share funding will support projects in the following key priority areas, with research and innovation continuing to be a focus across all programming:
• Economic development in the agri-food and agri-products sectors
• Environmental stewardship to enhance water quality and soil health (The Partnership includes a targeted effort under environmental stewardship – the Lake Erie Agriculture Demonstrating Sustainability (LEADS) sub-program – that targets phosphorus reduction within Ontario’s Lake Erie watershed through the programming)
• Protection and assurance to reinforce the foundation for public trust in the sector through improved assurance systems in food safety and plant and animal health.
What’s New:
• Producers, Processors, and Other Businesses can apply for cost-share funding starting on April 3, 2018 until May 8, 2018.
• All businesses must complete the program enrolment form before applying for cost-share funding.
• Program guides are available at: www.ontarioprogramguides.net
• Starting April 3 to May 8, 2018, submit applications online at: www.ontarioprograms.net
• Cost-share funding under the Partnership will be merit-based and project funding amounts are individually established based on new and updated project categories.
Producers and Other Businesses
The Ontario Soil and Crop Improvement Association (OSCIA) will administer cost-share funding to Producers and Other Businesses. Program details, including how to apply, program guides and application forms can be found on the OSCIA website.
Processors, Commercializers and Other Businesses
The Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs will administer cost-share funding to Processors, Commercializers and Other Businesses. Program details, including how to apply, program guides and application forms are now available online.
• Program guides can be viewed at: www.ontarioprogramguides.net
• Starting April 3 to May 8, 2018, submit applications to: www.ontarioprograms.net
• Businesses that are unable to apply online can request an electronic and/or hardcopy of the program guide, application and project information forms by sending us an email to agpartnership@ontario.ca or by calling 1-877-424-1300.
Organizations and Collaborations
The Agricultural Adaptation Council (AAC) will administer cost-share funding for Organizations and Collaborations. Applications for cost-share funding under the first intake are being accepted until April 5, 2018. All program details including the program guide, enrolment, pre-proposal, application forms and future intake dates are now available on the AAC website.
Workshops, resources and eLearning
The ministry continues to offer workshops, resources and eLearning opportunities at no cost for the agri-food and agri-products sectors.
• Environmental Farm Plan workshop
• Growing Your Farm Profits workshop
• Biosecurity workshop for Producers
• Agriculture and Food Education Online Learning System
• Food Safety and Traceability resources
• Agriculture Business Management resources
• Food and Beverage Processing Business resources
Partners
Through targeted investments in research and innovation, the ministry will support the transition and adoption of applied research into the market through knowledge mobilization that directly supports Ontario’s agri-food and agri-products sectors. Ontario will be partnering with organizations, such as:
• Vineland Research and Innovation Centre
• Livestock Research Innovation Corporation
• Agri-Technology Commercialization Centre
• Ontario Agri-Food Technologies
• Bioenterprise
• Oilseed Innovation Partners
• Agri-food Management Institute
• Food and Beverage Ontario
• Provision Coalition
Business Risk Management
Funding for Business Risk Management (BRM) programs will continue through the Partnership to ensure producers are protected against significant risks that threaten the viability of their farm and are beyond their capacity to manage.
The federal and provincial governments are reviewing these national programs to ensure they meet producer needs, including timeliness, predictability simplicity and ability to respond to market risks. Options from the industry-informed review will be brought forward for consideration at the July 2018 Ministers’ meeting. In Ontario, Agricorp administers BRM programs.
Federal-only programs under the Partnership
In addition to shared Canada-Ontario programs, federal-only Partnership programs will also be in place by April 1, 2018. For more information about these programs and how to access them, visit the Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada website (www.agr.gc.ca)
