Overview

The Sustainable Canadian Agricultural Partnership (Sustainable CAP) is a $3.5 billion, 5-year agreement (April 1, 2023, to March 31, 2028) between the federal, provincial and territorial governments. It replaces the Canadian Agricultural Partnership.

This includes $1 billion in federal programs and activities and $2.5 billion in cost-shared programs and activities by the governments. In Ontario, this includes up to $569 million toward the agri-food industry.

The programs under the Sustainable CAP will:

  • support the vision and priorities the federal, provincial and territorial agriculture ministers agreed to in The Guelph Statement
  • strengthen competitiveness, innovation and resiliency of the agriculture, agri‐food and agri‐based products sector

Funding opportunities

The funding opportunities under the Sustainable CAP are cost-share intakes.

Cost-share funding is where the governments of Ontario and Canada contribute a portion of the total project cost, and the applicant contributes the remaining amount.

Agri-Food Energy Cost Savings Initiative

The Canadian and Ontario governments are investing up to $10 million through the Sustainable CAP to help food processing businesses increase energy efficiency in their operations.

Grow Ontario Market Initiative

The Canadian and Ontario governments are investing up to $12 million to help eligible agri-food businesses and industry organizations expand markets for Ontario food products.

Promoting Agriculture and Food Careers Initiative

The Canadian and Ontario governments are investing up to $1.7 million over three years to provide funding support for agricultural societies to promote agri-food careers.

Meat Processors Capacity Improvement Initiative

The Canadian and Ontario governments are committing up to $13 million to continue increasing capacity in the province’s meat processing plants.

Biosecurity Enhancement Initiative

The Canadian and Ontario governments are committing up to $7.5 million to help eligible agri-food businesses enhance animal health and welfare, plant health and food safety in their sector. Cost-share funding will be available to producers, processors and other industry partners at various levels based on program stream.

Agricultural Stewardship Initiative (ASI)

The Canadian and Ontario governments are investing up to $5 million this fiscal year to provide cost-share funding for eligible farmers to modify and adapt their equipment and to support planning to improve soil health and water quality.

Honey Bee Health Initiative

The Canadian and Ontario governments are investing up to $1.375 million to provide cost-share funding to support beekeepers in maintaining healthy honey bee colonies as well as grow their number of colonies to increase the sustainability of the beekeeping industry in Ontario.

Increasing Deadstock Capacity Initiative

The Canadian and Ontario governments are investing up to $1.5 million in cost-share funding support to enable the deadstock industry to address service gaps through increasing capacity and improving service options.

Ontario Agri-Food Research Initiative (OAFRI)

The Canadian and Ontario governments are investing up to $16.5 million to support agri-food research and innovation that will help Ontario develop new cutting-edge technologies, practices and solutions to enhance the strength, resilience and competitiveness of the agri-food sector.

Sowing the Seeds of Wellness Initiative

The Canadian and Ontario governments are investing up to $700,000 to support the promotion of 3 free programs that are tailored to meet the unique mental health needs of the agricultural community.

Resilient Agricultural Landscape Program (RALP)

The Canadian and Ontario governments are investing up to $20 million to support the adoption of land-based improvements that will:

  • reduce greenhouse gas emissions
  • store carbon
  • enhance other ecological good and services

Funding will be provided to eligible farmers to help improve on-farm productivity and increase the resilience of agricultural landscapes in response to a changing climate.

Maple Production Improvement Initiative

Thank you for your interest. Due to high demand, this Initiative is now fully subscribed and applications are no longer being accepted.

The Canadian and Ontario governments are investing up to $1 million over 2 years to support productivity and growth in the province’s maple syrup sector.

Growing Future Opportunities Initiative

The Canadian and Ontario governments are investing up to $8 million to support the production of targeted varieties of tender fruits, apples and grapes that align with market demand.

Dairy Processing Modernization Initiative

The Canadian and Ontario governments are investing up to $8 million to boost efficiency and maintain food safety in the province’s dairy processing sector.

Agri-Tech Innovation Initiative

The Canadian and Ontario governments are investing up to $25 million to expand production capacity and boost energy efficiency in the agriculture and food sector.

Federal-only programs

In addition to shared Canada-Ontario funding programs, Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada (AAFC) delivers federal-only programs under the Sustainable CAP aimed at generating economic growth in the agricultural sector.

Visit the AAFC website for more information about the programs.

Workshops and resources

Under the Sustainable CAP, we offer free workshops, resources and online learning opportunities: