The governments of Canada and Ontario recently announced investments through the Sustainable Canadian Agricultural Partnership (Sustainable CAP) to support government, businesses and organizations in expanding Ontario’s agri-food and agri-products sectors. Included in this investment are the Grow Ontario Market Initiative and the AgriInnovate Program.

Grow Ontario Market Initiative

The purpose of the Grow Ontario Market Initiative is to support primary producers, processors and industry organizations to grow their business through marketing analysis and planning, new product development and marketing activities to find, develop and capture new, or expand, domestic or export market opportunities

The intake period opened May 19, 2023, with no set deadline; however intake is subject to the availability of funding. Applicants may submit a maximum of two applications/projects under the initiative at any given time. Projects are recommended to be less than two years in duration.

Processor and primary producer recipients are eligible to receive 50% of eligible costs up to a maximum of $60,000 in funding per project.

Industry organizations are eligible to receive 50% of eligible costs up to a maximum of $125,000 in funding per project.

To apply, download and complete the application form at: https://files.ontario.ca/omafra-grow-ontario-market-initiative-en-2023-05-19.pdf

Email your completed application to SustainableCAP3@ontario.ca

AgriInnovate Program

Under a new $3.5 billion, five year agreement (April 1, 2023 to March 31, 2028) between the federal and provincial governments, the AgriInnovate Program aims to strengthen the competitiveness, innovation and resiliency of Ontario’s agriculture, agri-food and agri-based products sector.

The program will provide contributions to for-profit businesses on a repayable basis over a period of up to 10 years following project completion. Contributions toward eligible costs will typically be shared between Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada (AAFC) and the producer on a 50\50 basis. However, additional funding of 10% may be available if the majority of the business (more than 50%) is owned or led by one or more under-represented groups (indigenous people, women, youth under 35, visible minorities or persons with disabilities).

Projects, activities and budgets can span over more than one fiscal year.

Applications will not be processed on a first come, first served basis; priority will be given to projects that fall within the program’s priority areas: advancing manufacturing, automation, robotics or digitization.

Download the AgriInnovate Program Project Summary form to your computer by logging into your My AAFC Account Online using your GCKey.

Once your completed form has been submitted it will be reviewed and if it meets the criteria of the program you will be invited to go to Stage 2 of the application process

For more information or assistance with your application, please contact our Government Programs team at BNG Bossy Nagy Group.