Overview

The purpose of the Initiative is to fund new pilot projects for the development, testing, validation and demonstration of functional prototypes or models of agri-food technologies (products or practices).

Definitions

Read the definitions to help you understand the terms used in these guidelines.

How to apply

  1. Read the guidelines on this page.
  2. Download and complete the application form (PDF).
  3. Email your completed application to SustainableCAP1@ontario.ca.

Deadline

The deadline to apply is January 11, 2024 at 11:59 p.m. EST.

Pilot and Demonstration Stream Guidelines

1. Purpose of the Initiative

The purpose of the Initiative is to fund new pilot projects for the development, testing, validation and demonstration of a functional prototype or model of an agri-food technology (products or practices). On the Technology Readiness Level (TRL) scale, these projects are generally around TRL-6, meaning the applied research and development of experimental proof-of-concept for a technology prototype or completed model. At this stage, the technology prototype is developed, tested and validated through pilot-scale demonstration of the expected results in a controlled environment or lab scale. This Initiative seeks to fund agri-food pilot and demonstration projects located in Ontario that have been submitted by Applicants from Research Bodies, Industry Organizations, Indigenous Persons, municipal governments, Processors, Primary Producers, Service Providers, Retailers/Wholesalers that possess intellectual, physical and structural capacity and networks to undertake science, research and development activities.

The Ministry is committed to the principles of equity, diversity and inclusion. To meet this commitment, the ministry has developed actions that ensure research and innovation programs are more open, accessible, equitable and respectful of all Ontarians. All Applicants applying for this funding should be equipped to consider impact(s) on equity and representation of deserving groups where appropriate.

The Ministry is committed to supporting the success of Indigenous food systems and businesses. Participation by Indigenous Persons, whether as Applicants or participants, is strongly encouraged. All Applicants are encouraged to look at how Indigenization can influence the Project. To create opportunity within the Initiative, a broad research focus area (Indigenous agriculture and food system) under each of the Research Priority Areas has been included (refer to Appendix A) that acknowledges Indigenous peoples, communities and businesses who are best positioned to speak to their own agri-food technology pilot and demonstration needs. To better support the participation of Indigenous Persons, culturally sensitive research methods will be required as a central component of the proposed Project.

2. Term of the Initiative

2.1 Commencement of the Initiative

The Initiative intake will begin on November 2, 2023 and end on January 11, 2024.

3. Funding for the Initiative

3.1 Maximum funding available to a Recipient under the Initiative

A Recipient is eligible to receive 100% of Eligible Costs up to a maximum of $200,000 in funding per Project under the Initiative.

3.2 Source and amount of funding for Initiative

Funding for the Initiative comes from the Sustainable Canadian Agricultural Partnership (Sustainable CAP). Up to $2,000,000 has been allocated for this intake of the Initiative.

4. Operation of the Initiative

4.1 Eligible and ineligible activities

4.1.1 Eligible activities

The following activities are eligible under the Initiative:

  1. agri-food (and agri-products) pilot and demonstration activities aligned with 1 of the research focus areas of the Research Priority Areas (RPAs) noted in Appendix A
  2. pilot and demonstration activities for prototype or model development Project in TRLs 4 to 6 that advance new knowledge (already generated through applied research) into new innovations and technological improvements (product or practice or system or process)
  3. development, testing and validation of technology prototype or model on a smaller scale or in a controlled environment to demonstrate the viability of the innovation
  4. collection and analysis of experimental data on the effectiveness, efficiency and impact of proto-types and models to evaluate and decide whether future pre-commercialization activities, integration or expansion of the technology/innovation to other environment/regions is possible for further development and full-scale evaluation
  5. recruitment and training of highly qualified personnel (M.Sc. and PhD students, post-doctoral fellows, undergraduate students, temporary research technicians/assistants) devoted to the Project activities
  6. purchase of research supplies, equipment, data and information
  7. rental of equipment and land that is required to implement rigorous experimental design
  8. third-party services required to carry out the Project activities (such as sample collection, lab analysis)
  9. knowledge transfer and translation
  10. Project-related travel
4.1.2 Ineligible activities

The following activities are ineligible under the Initiative:

  1. activities not aligned with one of the research focus areas given in Appendix A
  2. activities entirely focused on applied research activities without prototype development focus (that are eligible under the Ontario Agri-Food Research Initiative (OAFRI) Applied Research Stream) or Project in advanced TRL 7 to 9
  3. activities that are primarily focused on a purchase of equipment without pilot and demonstration
  4. marketing and adoption of already commercialized technologies
  5. business risk management activities
  6. normal and ongoing operating and maintenance activities
  7. activities that do not provide a direct benefit to the agri-food sector
  8. activities related to aquaponic food production, or to aquaculture, seaweed, fish and seafood production and processing
  9. development and enforcement of regulations
  10. activities which provide tax credits or rebates
  11. any activity that is not set out under section 4.1.1 of the Guidelines is an ineligible activity under the Initiative

4.2 Eligible Costs and Ineligible Costs under the Initiative

4.2.1 Eligible Costs under the Initiative

The following costs are eligible for the purposes of the Initiative, provided they were reasonably incurred and necessary to complete the Project:

  1. costs that were incurred on or after the date that the Project was approved and on or before October 15, 2027
  2. costs that reflect the actual costs to the Recipient, less any costs, including taxes, for which the Recipient has received, will receive, or is eligible to receive, a rebate, credit or refund
  3. Direct Operating Cost - salaries: actual salary and benefit (excluding severance pay) cost for the persons employed by the Recipient (graduate and undergraduate students, post-doctoral fellows, research technicians/assistants) working directly on the Project activities. If a person is not dedicated solely to working on the Project, the salary and benefit must be pro-rated to reflect that portion of the salary and benefits.
  4. Direct Operating Cost - supplies:
    1. supplies and disposables required specifically for the Project, such as petri dishes, reagents
    2. communication products and knowledge transfer related costs, such as the organization of workshops and communication materials directly relate to translation and transfer of the results or progress of the Project, including publication costs of peer reviewed journals, costs related to attending a conference to present Project-related research outcomes
  5. Direct Operating Cost - equipment:
    1. equipment that is essential to the Project and that would not otherwise be acquired, and that will be purchased early in the life cycle of the Project (usually in the first year)
    2. if purchased, the equipment will need to continue supporting public benefits after the Project is completed
    3. is equipment which will be rented or purchased at fair market value
    Note: For-profit businesses are only eligible for a 75% cost share of eligible capital costs (such as equipment, installation, software).
  6. Direct Operating Cost - travel: travel expenses for the Recipient’s staff involved in the Project and/or third-party service providers that are in accordance with Appendix B that are necessary to carry out the Project (such as travel to research stations and field plots, travel to conferences)
  7. other Direct Operating Cost: third-party services necessary for the delivery of the Project
  8. Indirect Cost: Research Bodies and Industry organizations only, may include the Indirect Cost (or overhead) rates set by their organization up to a maximum of 25% of the combined Direct Operating Costs. Please refer to the definition for further information

Despite the foregoing, the Province may approve other costs that are, in the Province’s sole and absolute discretion, direct, incremental and necessary for the successful completion of the Project. These costs must be approved by the Province in writing prior to being incurred and paid.

4.2.2 Ineligible Costs under the Initiative

The following costs are ineligible for the purposes of the Initiative:

  1. costs to apply to the Initiative
  2. costs, including deposits, that were incurred before the Project approval date and after the Project completion date
  3. salaries of the following are not eligible:
    • permanent academic appointments
    • permanent staff whose compensation is not specifically dependent on on-going research Project funding
    • individuals with provincial, federal or municipal government employment
    • salaries of executives, administrative staff or board members
    • patent filing fees
    These ineligible costs can be shown in the total Project budget as other sources of funding and will not be reimbursed by OAFRI funding
  4. costs to obtain goods, services or both, where those goods, services or both were not obtained from an entity operating at Arm’s Length from the Recipient
  5. costs related to the Recipient’s ordinary business operations (such as day-to-day business operating expenses related directly to producing the goods or services sold by a business, to selling goods and services, costs of running a business)
  6. any costs related to submitting reports to the Ministry
  7. materials and supplies that are commonly used items not specific to the Project
  8. any travel and meal costs related to the Recipient’s regular commute and work activities, travel and meal costs that do not meet the requirements or that exceed the limits set out in Appendix B will be ineligible
  9. any in-kind costs
  10. any alcoholic beverages
  11. other expenses for meetings that would occur regardless of whether the Project was occurring
  12. any costs that were, in the Province’s opinion, unreasonably incurred or are not necessary for the successful completion of the Project
  13. costs for which the Recipient is eligible to receive a credit, rebate or refund
  14. goods or services provided by federal or provincial government departments or agencies, including federally owned laboratories
  15. deposits (prepayments) for which goods or services are not yet fully received
  16. costs for training and skills development projects (outside of the Project) that fulfill any academic requirements towards completion of a diploma or degree
  17. honorariums
  18. membership costs
  19. purchase of land, building or facilities
  20. purchase of vehicles, transportation equipment, mobile material handling equipment (powered or unpowered) and construction and agriculture machinery
  21. financing charges, loan and lease interest payments, bank fees and charges as well as debt restructuring or fundraising
  22. gifts and incentives
  23. permits and approvals
  24. legal fees
  25. costs related to activities that promote Ontario products explicitly over those of another province or territory
  26. any cost associated with lobbying the Province, including other ministries, agencies and organizations of the Government of Ontario or Canada, including other departments, agencies and organizations of the Government of Canada
  27. costs also claimed as part of Indirect Costs under section 4.2.1 (h)
  28. any other costs that are not set out under section 4.2.1 of the Guidelines

4.3 Eligibility requirements

To be eligible to participate in the Initiative, an Applicant will meet the following requirements:

  1. be a Person that is a Research Body, Industry Organization, Indigenous Person, municipal government, Processor, Primary Producer, Service Provider or Retailer/Wholesaler located in Ontario
  2. not be a federal or provincial government employee
  3. provide its Canada Revenue Agency Business Number (CRA BN)
  4. submit a completed Application Form to the Ministry in accordance with section 4.4 of the Guidelines
  5. if applying as a Primary Producer or Processor, have a valid and up to date Premises Identification number (PID) for the business location(s) where the Project is to take place (to register for or update a PID, visit the Provincial Premises Registry)
  6. if applying as a Primary Producer, have a:
    1. valid Farm Business Registration Number (FBRN)
    2. an Order from the Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs Appeal Tribunal exempting the Person from having to have a FBRN
    3. a letter from the Indian Agriculture Program of Ontario, or
    4. an exemption from the income eligibility requirement of the Farm Property Class Tax Rate Program, received from AgriCorp
  7. is undertaking activities set out in section 4.1.1 of the Guidelines
  8. be in compliance with the following for its business operations at the time of applying to the Initiative:
    1. environmental-related Requirements Of Law
    2. labour-related Requirements Of Law
    3. tax-related Requirements Of Law
    4. material compliance with all other Requirements Of Law
  9. not be, nor is any officer, director or employee of the Applicant (if any), a current or former federal public office holder or federal public servant or if the Applicant is, or any officer, director or employee of the Applicant (if any) is, the Applicant, or that officer, director or employee of the Applicant (if any) is in compliance with the Conflict of Interest Act (Canada), the Conflict of Interest Code for Members of the House of Commons (Canada), the Values and Ethics Code for the Public Sector (Canada) and the Policy on Conflict of Interest and Post-employment (Canada), as applicable
  10. not be, nor is any officer, director or employee of the Applicant (if any), a member of the House of Commons on the Senate, or, if the Applicant is, or any officer, director or employee of the Applicant (if any) is, the Applicant, or the officer, director or employee of the Applicant (if any), is permitted under the Parliament of Canada Act (Canada) to receive funding from Canada under the Sustainable CAP
  11. agree that any intellectual property rights arising from their Project, should the Applicant be found to be eligible to participate in the Initiative as well as receive an Initiative Payment, belongs to the Applicant
  12. agree that Canada and Ontario may, should the Applicant be found to be eligible to participate in the Initiative as well as receive an Initiative Payment, publish information about the Applicant, including:
    1. Project-related information
    2. the name of the Applicant
    3. the amount of funding Canada and Ontario provided
    4. the outcome of the Project
  13. agree to be bound by the terms, conditions and requirements of the Initiative, as set out in the Minister’s Order, the Guidelines and the Approval Letter

4.4 Applying to the Initiative

Applicants must apply to the Initiative using a Ministry-approved Application Form (PDF). The Application Form should be filled out using Adobe Acrobat Reader. Applicants that use another format other than Adobe Acrobat Reader to fill out their Application Form may be required to re-submit their Application Form filled out using Adobe Acrobat Reader.

Applicants must ensure that their Application Form is fully completed.

Completed Application Forms must be submitted by email to SustainableCAP1@ontario.ca no later than 11:59 p.m. EST on January 11, 2024. Any Application Form submitted after this date will not be accepted.

Please note that supporting documentation provided but not required under the Initiative will not be reviewed.

Applicants can submit more than 1 Application Form to the Initiative.

Where Applicants have submitted/are submitting more than one Application Form under this or other Initiative(s) under Sustainable CAP, the Applicant must ensure that each proposed Project has distinct and separate expected outcome(s).

Applicants must not submit an Application Form for a Project where the Applicant has already received Initiative Payment(s) for that Project through Sustainable CAP. Where Applicants have received funding for the Project through other sources, the total assistance provided from all funding sources cannot be greater than 100% of the total Eligible Costs. All funding for a Project, including from additional sources, must be listed on the Application Form.

Applicants must select and enter in the Application Form the North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) codes as set out in Appendix D to the Guidelines that best describe:

  • the Applicant’s business/organization
  • the primary sector/commodity impacted by the Project

If the Applicant is unable to find the suitable NAICS code for the business/organization, please review the Research Body, Industry Organization, Indigenous Person, Processor, Primary Producer, Service Provider and Retailer/Wholesaler definition in section 9.1 of the Guidelines as the business/organization may be ineligible for funding under this Initiative. If the Applicant is unable to find the suitable NAICS code for the primary sector/commodity impacted by the Project, the Project may be ineligible for funding under this Initiative.

4.5 Review of application, evaluation criteria and notification

The Ministry will review the Application Form to determine whether the Applicant is eligible to participate in the Initiative. The Ministry will only review a completed Application Form. Incomplete Application Forms will not be accepted. Applications will be evaluated on merit-based review criteria such as:

  1. uniqueness, novelty and value of the proposed technology prototype/model to Ontario agri-food sector
  2. outline of the methods (including data collection and analysis) for prototype/model development/evaluation
  3. relevant expertise of Applicant and strength of the team completing the Project
  4. TRL: pilot Project with technology development stage of TRLs 4 to 6 are acceptable (the pilot Project must aim to complete the technology prototype development, testing, validation and demonstration during this funding period)
  5. budget demonstrating value for money

The Ministry encourages Applicants to secure other sources of funding to complement/leverage Initiative funding towards the total cost of the Project.

The Ministry will provide an Approval Letter via email to successful Applicants. The Approval Letter will include:

  1. a file number, which the Ministry uses to refer to the specific Project
  2. the Project description
  3. the maximum amount of Funds and cost shared percentage approved
  4. the Eligible Costs
  5. the date the Recipient is required to complete its Project
  6. the expense Claim submission deadline
  7. the final report submission information including deadline

The Ministry will provide an email to unsuccessful Applicants setting out a brief explanation of why their Application was not approved under the Initiative.

4.6 Submitting Claims

A Recipient must submit its Claims to the Ministry for Eligible Costs for completion of its Project via the Ministry’s Claim portal. A link to the Ministry’s Claim portal will be provided to a Recipient after the Ministry receives a reply email to the Ministry’s Approval Letter in the form and manner required in that Approval Letter.

The Claim must be complete and supported by true copies of all paid invoices and proofs of payment.

A proof of payment must set out in detail:

  • who paid for the good, service or both and their relationship to the Recipient
  • who received the payment
  • the goods, services or both that were provided
  • the date of the payment

Acceptable forms of a proof of payment include:

  • an electronic image of a processed cheque
  • a statement from a banking institution setting out whom the processed cheque was written, or electronic payment made, and the amount
  • a credit card or debit card receipt or statement clearly identifying the amount and to whom the payment was made

Note: If using a credit card or debit card receipt, cheque or statement as a proof of payment, the number of the credit or debit card as well as all other information, including the costs that are unrelated to the Recipient’s Project, should be blacked out.

All Claims and the final report must be submitted no later than 11:59 p.m. EST on the date(s) set out in the Approval Letter. Any Claims submitted after the required date(s) will be ineligible.

4.7 Review of Claims and notification

The Ministry will review all Claims to determine whether the costs being claimed are eligible.

The Ministry may request additional information from the Recipient to verify the validity of a Claim. Where the Ministry requests additional information, the Recipient will provide that additional information as soon as practicable and no later than any date set out in the request. Failure to meet the requested deadline will result in those costs for which additional information was requested being deemed to be Ineligible Costs.

If the costs being claimed are Eligible Costs, an Initiative Payment will be issued for those claimed costs.

If, however, the costs being claimed are Ineligible Costs, those costs will not be reimbursed. The Ministry will notify the Recipient regarding any Ineligible Costs and provide a reason why those costs are Ineligible Costs under the Initiative.

4.8 Initiative Payments

To be eligible to receive an Initiative Payment, a Recipient must be registered:

4.9 Loss of eligibility

4.9.1 Willful submission of false or misleading information

Any Applicant or Recipient that willfully submits false or misleading information under the Initiative will:

  1. not be eligible to participate in the Initiative or will have their eligibility to participate in the Initiative revoked
  2. repay any Initiative Payments received under the Initiative
4.9.2 Negligent submission of false or misleading information

Any Applicant or Recipient that acted in a negligent manner in allowing false or misleading information to be submitted under the Initiative:

  1. may not be eligible to participate in the Initiative or may have their eligibility to participate in the Initiative revoked
  2. will repay any Initiative Payment received because of that false or misleading information
4.9.3 Abusive toward Ministry staff

Any Applicant or Recipient that is being abusive toward any Ministry staff responsible for administering the Initiative will receive 1 written warning regarding their conduct from the Initiative Director. If the Applicant or Recipient continues with their abusive behaviour, the Applicant or Recipient will lose their eligibility to participate in the Initiative or will have their eligibility to participate in the Initiative revoked.

4.9.4 Debt owing to Ontario or Canada

Any Applicant or Recipient may be found to be ineligible to participate in the Initiative or have their eligibility to participate in the Initiative revoked if the Applicant or Recipient:

  1. owes a debt to Ontario or Canada and does not have a repayment plan with Ontario or Canada, including any agents thereof
  2. is not in compliance with any repayment plan with Ontario or Canada, including any agents thereof
4.9.5 Failure to comply with additional terms and conditions of the Initiative

Any Recipient that fails to comply with the additional terms and conditions set out under section 5 of the Guidelines may have their eligibility to participate in the Initiative revoked and may be required to repay any Initiative Payments received under the Initiative.

4.10 Termination of the Initiative

The Initiative may be terminated at any time without prior notice. Where the Initiative is terminated, the following will apply:

  1. a notice will be placed on the website that hosts the Guidelines setting out the date on which the Initiative is terminated
  2. any Claims submitted:
    1. prior to the day on which the Initiative is terminated will, if eligible, be paid
    2. after the day on which the Initiative is terminated will not be paid

5. Additional terms and conditions for the Initiative

5.1 No conflict of interest

A Recipient will carry out the Project and use any Initiative Payments without a potential, perceived or actual conflict of interest. In the event a Recipient has a potential, perceived or actual conflict of interest, they will report that potential, perceived or actual conflict of interest to the Ministry as soon as practicable. The Recipient will also comply with any directions issued by the Ministry relating to that potential, perceived or actual conflict of interest.

5.2 Compliance with Approval Letter

A Recipient will comply with all requirements set out in the Approval Letter.

5.3 Compliance with Requirements Of Law

A Recipient must be in compliance with the following for its business operations while participating in the Initiative:

  1. environmental-related Requirements Of Law
  2. labour-related Requirements Of Law
  3. tax-related Requirements Of Law
  4. material compliance with all other Requirements Of Law

5.4 Obtaining goods, services or both

In the event a Recipient obtains goods, services or both to carry out their Project, that Recipient will:

  1. only obtain goods, services or both through a process that:
    1. is transparent
    2. is fair
    3. promotes the best value for the money expended
    4. is at competitive prices no greater than fair market value after deducting trade discounts or any other discounts available to the Recipient
    5. is from Persons that are operating from Arm’s Length from the Recipient
  2. own all goods obtained from the Initiative Payment, including any intellectual property rights arising therefrom

The Recipient will include provisions in any agreements it enters with a third party to provide goods, services or both to the Recipient for the Recipient’s Project that:

  1. requires the third party to meet the same requirements regarding compliance with all Requirements Of Law that the Recipient must meet pursuant to section 5.3 of the Guidelines as it relates to the operation of the third party’s business
  2. provides Ontario and Canada, including their respective delegates, with the same audit rights that Ontario and Canada have in relation to the Recipient pursuant to section 5.10 of the Guidelines for the third party relating to any payment form the Initiative Payment the Recipient makes to that third party for any goods, services or both the third-party provides to the Recipient for the Recipient’s Project

5.5 Retention of assets

A Recipient will retain any assets for which Initiative Payments will be made with a combined value of $1,000 or more for at least 2 years after the date of the Approval Letter, unless otherwise directed by the Ministry. The Recipient will not, without the Ministry’s prior written consent, lease or otherwise encumber the assets in which Initiative Payments were made for at least 2 years after the date of the Approval Letter.

5.6 Insurance

A Recipient will have and maintain at its own expense until the date the Recipient’s Project is required to be completed all necessary and appropriate insurance that a prudent person carrying out the Project would maintain with insurers having a secure A.M. Best rating of B+ or better, including commercial general liability insurance on an occurrence basis for third party bodily injury, personal injury and property damage to an inclusive amount of not less than 2,000,000 per occurrence. The insurance policy or policies will include the following:

  1. the indemnified parties as additional insured with respect to any liability arising in the course of the performance of the Recipient’s carrying out the Project
  2. cross liability
  3. a contractual liability coverage endorsement
  4. a non-owned automobile coverage with blanket contractual endorsement
  5. an employer’s liability coverage endorsement, if the Recipient is not subject to the Workplace Safety Insurance Act, 1997
  6. 30 calendar days’ notice to the indemnified parties of cancellation, termination or material change

The insurance required under this section 5.6 of the Guidelines will be in place as of the date set out in the Approval Letter.

The Recipient will, upon the Ministry or Canada’s request, provide to the Ministry or Canada, as the case may be, certificates of insurance that confirm the insurance coverage the Recipient is required to have under this section 5.6 of the Guidelines is in place or other proof that confirms the insurance coverage the Recipient is required to have under this section 5.6 of the Guidelines is in place.

5.7 Indemnification

A Recipient will, at all times defend, indemnify and hold harmless the indemnified parties from and against any and all direct or indirect liability, loss, costs, damages and expenses (including legal, expert and consulting fees) in relation to any causes of actions, actions, claims, demands or other proceedings by whomever made, sustained, incurred, brought or prosecuted, arising out of, or in connection with anything done or omitted to be done by the Recipient or anyone employed by the Recipient, including subcontractors in the course of the performance by the Recipient or anyone employed by the Recipient, including subcontractors, in carrying out the Project or otherwise in relation to the Project unless solely caused by the negligence or willful misconduct by the indemnified parties.

5.8 Provision of information

An Applicant or Recipient will provide, as the case may be, any information that is requested by Ontario or Canada as soon as practicable after the request has been made and no later than the date set out in the request.

5.9 Record-keeping requirements

A Recipient will keep all financial information related to any Initiative Payment for a period of 7 years after the Initiative Payment was deposited into the Recipient’s bank account.

5.10 Audit

Ontario or Canada, including any of their delegates, may, upon providing at least 24 hours’ notice beforehand, conduct an audit of an Applicant or Recipient in relation to the Initiative. The Applicant or Recipient will provide reasonable assistance to Ontario or Canada, as the case may be, including:

  1. access to any Person, place or thing required for auditing purposes as soon as is practicable after the request is made and no later than the date set out in the request
  2. allowing for the inspection of any records that relate to the Initiative Payment
  3. allowing for the copying of any records that relate to the Initiative Payment
  4. the taking of pictures and other recordings

5.11 Communications

5.11.1 Communications by the Recipient

A Recipient will not communicate about their Project or the Initiative unless the following has been met:

  1. it has obtained the Ministry’s prior written consent to communicate about the Project or the Initiative
  2. it follows the Communications Protocol set out in Appendix C for the Initiative
  3. any communications about the Project or the Initiative includes a statement that the views set out in those communications are the Recipient’s and do not necessarily reflect the views of Ontario or Canada
5.11.2 Publication of information by Ontario and Canada

Ontario and Canada may publish information about the Recipient and its Project, including:

  1. the name of the Recipient
  2. the amount of funding the Recipient is eligible to receive under the Initiative
  3. the amount of Initiative Payments the Recipient received
  4. a description of the Project

5.12 Notice regarding change of ownership or control

A Recipient will provide notice to Ontario within 5 Business Days of any discussions the Recipient may have where the Recipient may merge with or be acquired by another Person while participating in the Initiative.

5.13 General

5.13.1 Applying to the Initiative does not create right to participate in the Initiative

Applying to the Initiative does not create a legal, equitable or other right to participate in the Initiative.

5.13.2 Participating in the Initiative does not create right to receive an Initiative Payment

Participating in the Initiative does not create a legal, equitable or other right to receive an Initiative Payment.

5.13.3 Initiative Payments may be pro-rated

Any Initiative Payments owing may be pro-rated in the event there is an insufficient amount of money to pay all Claims submitted under the Initiative.

5.13.4 Initiative Payment is income for tax purposes

An Initiative Payment is income for the purposes of the Income Tax Act (Canada).

5.13.5 No assignment of Project or Initiative Payments

A Recipient will not assign their Project or any Initiative Payments the Recipient may be eligible to receive to another Person.

5.13.6 Ontario and Canada not responsible for Project or helping Recipient obtain permits

Neither Ontario nor Canada is or will be responsible for carrying out the Project or assisting the Recipient with obtaining any permits or other such authorizations to enable the Recipient to carry out the Project.

5.13.7 Initiative Payments are part of a social or economic program

Initiative Payments being provided under the Initiative are for the administration of social or economic programs or the provision of direct or indirect support to members of the public in connection with social or economic policy.

5.13.8 Ontario and applicable federal laws govern

The rights and obligations under the Initiative will be governed by Ontario law and applicable federal laws of Canada.

5.13.9 Ontario courts to have exclusive jurisdiction

Ontario’s courts will have exclusive jurisdiction over any dispute arising under the Initiative.

6. Collection, use and disclosure of Personal Information under the Initiative

6.1 Collection of Personal Information

The collection of certain limited Personal Information is necessary for the proper administration of the Initiative and authorized by the Minster’s Order.

6.2 Use and disclosure of Social Insurance Number (SIN)

If a Recipient is eligible to receive an Initiative Payment and is a sole proprietor, partner in a partnership or a member of an unincorporated entity without a CRA BN, as a condition for receiving an Initiative Payment they will consent to the use and disclosure of this Personal Information collected under the Initiative for the purposes of enforcing the terms and conditions of the Initiative, including:

  1. confirming the Recipient paid any applicable taxes on the Initiative Payment
  2. conducting audits
  3. collecting any Overpayment or any other debt owing to Ontario or Canada arising prior to the Recipient’s participation in the Initiative

6.3 Collection of additional Personal Information voluntary

An Applicant will be asked to provide certain demographic information, such as whether Indigenous Persons, women and/or youth (namely, 40 years old or younger) have an ownership interest in the Applicant. Providing this information is voluntary. Should the Applicant decline to provide this information, they will still be eligible to participate in the Initiative. The responses to the questions will have no impact on the assessment of an Applicant’s Application Form. An Applicant may withdraw their consent at any time and the Ministry will not share the demographic information after the consent has been withdrawn.

6.4 Use and disclosure of additional Personal Information

The Personal Information referred to in paragraph 6.3 will be shared with Canada and will be used for the purpose of improving access to the Sustainable CAP and addressing barriers to accessing Initiatives under the Sustainable CAP for underrepresented and marginalised groups.

6.5 Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act

Certain information provided under the Initiative may, with the exception of a Recipient’s SIN, be subject to disclosure under the Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act or the Access to Information Act (Canada). Information may also be disclosed by order of a court or tribunal, pursuant to a legal proceeding or as otherwise authorized or required by law.

7. Collection of debts

7.1 Collection of existing debt

In the event a Recipient owes a debt to Ontario or Canada and is eligible to receive an Initiative Payment, that Initiative Payment may be set-off against the debt that the Recipient owes to Ontario or Canada.

7.2 Overpayments

Any Recipient that receives an Overpayment owes a debt to Ontario and Canada. The Recipient will repay that debt to Ontario in accordance with any directions the Ministry issues to the Recipient.

7.3 Interest

Ontario may charge interest on any Overpayment at the rate that Ontario charges for accounts receivable.

7.4 Termination of Initiative does not affect requirement to repay Overpayment

The termination of the Initiative does not affect a Recipient’s obligation to repay any Overpayment made under the Initiative.

8. General

8.1 Authority for Initiative

The authority for the Initiative comes from the Sustainable CAP and Minister’s Order.

8.2 Conflict resolution

In the event of a conflict or omission between the Application Form and the Guidelines, the Guidelines will prevail. In the event of a conflict or omission between the Approval Letter and the Guidelines, the Guidelines will prevail. In the event of a conflict between the Guidelines and the Minister’s Order, the Minister’s Order will prevail.

8.3 Amending Guidelines

The Initiative Administrator may amend the Guidelines at any time without prior notice. Any amendments to the Guidelines will be posted on the same website as where the Guidelines was originally posted. Any amendments to the Guidelines will not have a retroactive effect.

8.4 Errors and omissions accepted

Applicants and Recipients accept any errors and/or omissions that may be in the Guidelines.

9. Interpretation of Guidelines

9.1 Definitions

For the purposes of the Guidelines, the terms set out this section 9.1 of the Guidelines will have the meanings herein, unless the context indicates otherwise.

Applicant: a Person who has applied to participate in the Initiative.

Administrator: a Person responsible for delivering an Initiative on behalf of the Ontario Crown.

Application Form: the Ministry-approved document the Applicant submits to apply to the Initiative.

Approval Letter: a letter from the Ministry to the Applicant informing the Applicant that they are eligible to participate in the Initiative.

Arm’s Length: has the same meaning as set out under the Income Tax Act (Canada) on the date the Initiative begins, as set out under section 2.1 of the Guidelines.

Business Days: any working day, Monday to Friday, inclusive, but excluding statutory and other holidays and any other day in which the Ministry has elected to be closed for business.

Canada: His Majesty the King in Right of Canada and includes any successor, whether it is His Majesty the King or Her Majesty the Queen.

Claim: a request to receive an Initiative Payment.

Communications Products: any public communication by the Recipient, including advertisements and notices placed in the mass media, such as newspapers, television, billboards, communiques and backgrounders, promotional materials, exhibits and trade shows, information placed on the Recipient’s website and items sent by mass distribution electronically or posted to social medial platforms.

Communications Protocol: the protocol set out in Appendix C to the Guidelines.

CRA BN: the Canada Revenue Agency Business Number the Canada Revenue Agency issues to businesses for tax purposes.

Direct Operating Cost: essential expenditures that would not have been incurred had the Project not been undertaken. Accordingly, they can be directly assigned to the Project activities with a high degree of accuracy.

Eligible Costs: the costs set out under section 4.2.1 of the Guidelines.

Employee: an individual the performs work or supplies services for monetary compensation and in which that monetary compensation is reported on a T4 or other means of acceptable reporting to the Canada Revenue Agency.

Guidelines: this document, as it may be amended from time to time.

Indigenous Person includes:

  1. an individual who is:
    1. recognized as being an Indian in accordance with the Indian Act (Canada), or
    2. recognized as being a Métis by a Métis Nation within Canada
  2. an individual who identified as being an Indian or Inuit and is recognized as being an Indian or Inuit by their community
  3. a corporation:
    1. where the majority of voting shares are owned by individuals that meet the requirements set out under paragraphs (a) or (b) of this definition
    2. where a majority of voting members on its board of directors are comprised of individuals that meet the requirements set out under paragraphs (a) or (b) of this definition, or
    3. where a majority of shares are owned by a Band Council, as defined in the Indian Act (Canada) or a Métis Nation within Canada
  4. a partnership where more than 50% of the profit or loss of the partnership is allocated to individuals that meet the requirements set out in paragraphs (a) or (b) of this definition
  5. an unincorporated association where the majority of the decision-makers for that unincorporated association are comprised of individuals that meet the requirements set out under paragraphs (a) or (b) of this definition
  6. a Band Council within the meaning of the Indian Act (Canada), or
  7. an organization whose primary objective is to represent entities set out in paragraphs (a) to (f) of this definition

Indigenization: the integration of Indigenous worldviews, knowledge and perspectives into the structures of an institution.

Indirect Cost: the operational costs that underpin an institution’s research activities (such as heating, lighting, ethics reviews, facilities for animals used in research, management of intellectual property, environmental assessment and safety compliance, equity, diversity and inclusion training). The services that give rise to indirect costs are institutionally based and are not specific to individual research grants.

Industry Organization: a Person that is made up of one or more of Primary Producers, Processors or other entities involved in the agri-food sector, specifically a legal entity representing its members, such as a commodity group.

Ineligible Costs: the costs set out under section 4.2.2 of the Guidelines.

Initiative: Ontario Agri-Food Research Initiative: Pilot and Demonstration stream.

Initiative Director: the individual occupying the position appointed as such by the designated program Administrator and includes any individual acting in that position or successor position.

Initiative Payment: the direct or indirect provision of money under the Initiative.

Minister’s Order: Minister’s Order 0005/2023, as it may be amended from time to time.

Ministry: the Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs.

Ontario: His Majesty the King in Right of Ontario and includes any successor, whether it is His Majesty the King or Her Majesty the Queen.

Overpayment: an Initiative Payment to which the Recipient:

  1. was not eligible to receive at the time the Recipient received the Initiative Payment, or
  2. ceases to be eligible to receive at any time after the Recipient received the Initiative Payment

Person: a legal entity.

Personal Information: as defined in section 2 of the Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act.

Primary Producer: a Person that is a producer (crop or livestock) including engaged in production in controlled environment agriculture such as:

  • indoor agriculture, greenhouse, vertical farm
  • agricultural landowner and/or renter
  • employer that provides housing to International Agricultural Workers
  • propagator (agricultural activities)
  • owner of fruit tree nursery
  • owner of packing house (washing, packing where the product is chopped/changed in a manner that is not irreversible)
  • and biomass producer

Processor: a Person that is a business in the agri-food supply chain, specifically:

  • a slaughterhouse/abattoir
  • agri-food-processor (food, beverage)
  • bio-processing company (food, industrial)
  • packing house (chopping, irreversible actions to product)
  • fertilizer manufacturer
  • commissary (ready-to-eat counter)
  • brewpub
  • food/agricultural commodity/bio-processor waste company

Project: the undertaking the Recipient carries out under the Initiative.

Recipient: an Applicant that has been approved to participate in the Initiative and is eligible to receive or has received an Initiative Payment.

Research Body: a corporate entity that has the capacity to undertake science, research, development, innovation, commercialization and knowledge transfer activities. The corporate entity must possess intellectual, physical and structural capacity and networks. A Research Body is a university, or a college or a research centre/organization with significant capacity and focus in delivering research and development activities.

Research Priority Area: one of the highest-level agri-food research topics as outlined in Appendix A (such as food safety, animal health and welfare, plant health and protection). A Research Priority Area may have more than one sub-topic that are called Research Focus Areas.

Retailer/Wholesaler: a Person that:

  1. ultimately sells to the consumer, as it relates to a Retailer, or
  2. buys agricultural-based products from importers, manufacturers and other wholesalers and resells them to retailers, other wholesalers, industrial and commercial users or foreign markets, as it relates to a Wholesaler

Requirements Of Law: statutes, regulations, by-laws, ordinances, codes, official plans, rules, approvals, permits, licenses, authorizations, orders, decrees, injunctions, directions and agreements.

Service Provider: a Person that provides products, services or both to the agricultural sector.

SIN: Social Insurance Number.

Sustainable CAP: the Sustainable Canadian Agricultural Partnership.

Technology Readiness Level (TRL): a measurement system used to assess the maturity level of a particular technology (a product, process, practice or system). At the TRL 1 (lowest), scientific research begins and results are translated into future research and development. At TRL 6, technology has a fully functional prototype or model demonstrated at a pilot scale. TRL 9 is the highest level, when a technology development is proven to be successful under full range of operational or real-world condition before commercially available.

9.2 Interpretation of Guidelines

For the purposes of interpreting the Guidelines:

  1. words in the singular include the plural and vice versa
  2. the headings do not form part of the Guidelines, they are for reference purposes only and will not affect the interpretation of the Guidelines
  3. any reference to dollars or currency will be to Canadian dollars and currency, unless indicated otherwise
  4. any reference to a statute means a statute of the Province of Ontario, unless indicated otherwise
  5. any reference to a statute is to that statute and to the regulations made pursuant to that statute as they may be amended and to any statute or regulations that may be passed or made that have the effect of supplanting or superseding that statue or regulation, unless indicated otherwise
  6. any reference to a Minister’s Order is a reference to that Minister’s Order as it may be amended and to any Minister’s Order that has the effect of supplanting or superseding that Minister’s Order, unless indicated otherwise
  7. all accounting terms used herein will be interpreted in accordance with the Generally Accepted Accounting Principles used in Canada
  8. the words “include”, “includes” and “including” denote that the subsequent list is not exhaustive

     

Appendix A: Research priorities

A Pilot and Demonstration project must fit to one of the research focus areas (RFAs) under a RPA given. A RPA may have more than 1 sub-topic that are called RFAs.

RPA 1: food safety

Food safety pilot and demonstration projects enhance public confidence in the sector by delivering creative and enhanced food safety technology solutions. New pilot and demonstration projects should aim to anticipate, detect, mitigate and/or reduce food safety hazards throughout the supply chain. Food safety pilot and demonstration projects are encouraged that are designed to address food safety issues specific to food grown and/or processed in Ontario.

The pilot and demonstration proposals submitted to this RPA must fit to one of the following RFAs:

  • climate change impacts and resiliency
  • detection and surveillance
  • innovative and disruptive technologies or practices (such as food safety improvements that also measurably reduce food loss)
  • pathway analysis (such as pathogen entry points in processed foods)
  • prevention and control: interventions throughout the supply chain (such as mitigation of pathogens in ready-to-eat fruits and vegetables)
  • validation of detection methods (such as DNA testing and value of metagenomics and other culture-independent diagnostic tests)
  • Indigenous agriculture and food systems

RPA 2: animal health and welfare

Animal health and welfare pilot and demonstration projects enhance public confidence in the sector by delivering solutions on animal health, emergency management and animal welfare expectations and demands. New pilot and demonstration projects should aim to anticipate, detect, mitigate and/or reduce animal health hazards and antimicrobial use along the supply chain.

The pilot and demonstration proposals submitted in this area must fit to one of the following RFAs:

  • best management practice (BMP) development
  • emerging pathogens and pests
  • health, welfare and productivity of young animals
  • innovative and disruptive technologies or practices
  • prevention and control of pathogens
  • climate change impacts and resiliency
  • Indigenous agriculture and food systems

RPA 3: plant health and protection

Plant health and protection pilot and demonstration projects provide pest management and monitoring solutions for Ontario’s crops in general and certain crops within conventional horticultural production systems.

The pilot and demonstration proposals submitted in this area must fit to one of the following RFAs:

  • biology of current and emerging pests
  • climate change impacts and resiliency
  • Indigenous agriculture and food systems
  • innovative and disruptive technologies or practices

RPA 4: competitive production systems

Competitive production systems pilot and demonstration projects improve production efficiency, productivity, competitiveness and public trust efforts of the agri-food sector (primary production and processing) through innovation in production systems and technology development and adoption to optimize the uses of resources (such as ingredients, livestock, produce) and labour.

The pilot and demonstration proposals submitted in this RPA must fit to one of the following RFAs:

  • Improved management processes: optimization of production systems to improve competitiveness and efficiency
  • improved performance measurement: data driven solutions for the measurement of production efficiencies and environmental benefits (such as “omics” technologies for sheep/goat/beef, management decision derived from robotics, automation tools, precision agriculture and site-specific decision support systems)
  • climate change impacts and resiliency
  • Indigenous agriculture and food systems
  • innovative and disruptive technologies or practices

RPA 5: trade, market and targeted sector growth

This RPA seeks to support pilot and demonstration projects to stimulate growth of the overall agri-food sector through expansion of existing and access to new domestic and international markets and improve economic performance of identified priority sub-sectors and increased production of niche and/or value-add products.

The pilot and demonstration proposals submitted in this area must fit to one of the following RFAs:

  • domestic market analysis
  • targeted sector growth: in dairy goats, hazelnuts, greenhouse, maple syrup, processed vegetables, processed meats, baked goods and cannabis/hemp
  • climate change impacts and resiliency
  • Indigenous agriculture and food systems
  • innovative and disruptive technologies or practices

RPA 6: sustainable production systems

Sustainable production systems pilot and demonstration projects strengthen the sustainability of, and public sector confidence in, the agri-food sector (primary production and processing) by improving their water, energy and input efficiencies as well as augmenting resource recovery and reducing waste production and greenhouse gas emissions.

The pilot and demonstration proposals submitted in this RPA must fit to one of the following RFAs:

  • diminishes environmental impact of agri-food production
  • diminishes environmental impacts of management practices (such as nutrient management, use of fertilizers, agricultural and non-agricultural soil amendments, integrated pest management and pesticide use)
  • minimizes impact of changing ecosystems on agriculture
  • improves climate change impacts and resiliency
  • Indigenous agriculture and food systems
  • innovative and disruptive technologies or practices
  • BMP development

RPA 7: soil health

Soil health pilot and demonstration projects seek to protect and enhance soil health, supporting improved public confidence in the primary agriculture sector to deliver on sustainability expectations.

The pilot and demonstration proposals submitted in this area must fit to one of the following RFAs:

  • facilitate the collection of baseline soil health information
  • climate change impacts and resiliency
  • Indigenous agriculture and food systems
  • innovative and disruptive technologies or practices

RPA 8: water quality and quantity

Water quality and quantity pilot and demonstration projects seek to protect and enhance water quality and quantity supporting improved public confidence in the agri-food sector (primary production and processing) to deliver on sustainability expectations.

The pilot and demonstration proposals submitted in this RPA must fit to one of the following RFAs:

  • BMP development
  • climate change impacts and resiliency
  • minimize environmental impact of management practices
  • Indigenous agriculture and food systems
  • innovative and disruptive technologies or practices

RPA 9: productive land capacity

Productive land capacity pilot and demonstration projects seek to generate new knowledge on land use policies that contribute to a secure land base that allows the agri-food sector to thrive and reach its full potential.

The pilot and demonstration proposals submitted in this RPA must fit to the following RFAs:

  • evidence to support land use policies: document evidence to inform land use policies that support the long-term success of the agri-food sector
  • Indigenous agriculture and food systems

RPA 10: innovative products and product improvement

Innovative products and product improvement pilot and demonstration projects seek to enhance competitiveness, profitability and growth of the agri-food sector through identification verification, validation, demonstration and adoption of new, innovative and disruptive technologies and practices to support a resilient and sustainable agriculture and food sector.

The pilot and demonstration proposals submitted in this RPA must fit to one of the following RFAs:

  • innovative and disruptive technologies or practices
  • new product development
  • Indigenous agriculture and food systems

Appendix B: Transportation, meal and hotel costs

B.1 Alternatives to transportation. Audio or video conferencing is to be used whenever possible, as an alternative to transportation. Whenever possible, the least expensive means of communications is to be used. Where audio or video conferencing is demonstrated not to be possible, the Recipient may use the other transportation options mentioned in this section.

B.2 Local public transportation. Local public transportation (including hotel/airport shuttles if hotel/air travel is permitted) are to be used wherever possible.

B.3 Rental vehicles. A compact model of rental vehicle or its equivalent is required unless another type is demonstrated to be more economical and practical, taking into account the purpose of the activities under the Project, number of occupants and safety (including weather) considerations. Luxury and sports vehicles are prohibited.

The Ministry will reimburse for gasoline or for electricity/charging costs for the rental vehicle used for the Project.

B.4 Personal vehicle. A personal vehicle may be used provided the Project-related use is tracked with distances calculated in kilometers and a travel log is submitted by the Recipient to the Ministry. The Ministry will reimburse according to the following maximum rates for travelling (per kilometer) in a personal vehicle, based on kilometers accumulated from the date the Ministry allowed the Recipient to incur costs to the date the Recipient’s Project is required to be completed:

Maximum allowance Southern Ontario ($/km) Northern Ontario ($/km)
0–4,000 km 0.40 0.41
4,001–10,700 km 0.35 0.36
10,701–24,000 km 0.29 0.30
More than 24,000 km 0.24 0.25

B.5 Parking and tolls. The Ministry may provide reimbursement for:

  • parking
  • tolls for bridges, ferries and highways incurred by the Recipient when driving any vehicle

B.6 No reimbursement. The Ministry will assume no financial responsibility and will not provide reimbursement for fees/penalties incurred, including for:

  • traffic or parking violations when driving any vehicle
  • failing to refuel or recharge the rental car before returning it
  • cancellation of rental car reservation
  • damage to any vehicle

B.7 Rail and air transportation. Rail and air transportation is permitted if it is demonstrated to be the most practical and economical way to travel.

  • Rail travel: Economy (coach) class is the standard option for ticket purchase. The lowest available train fare appropriate to particular itineraries is required to be booked and bookings are required to be made as far in advance as possible.Business class is only appropriate on a train in the following limited circumstances:
    • business class is the lowest fare
    • the choice of travel time allows other costs to be reduced
    • there are specific health (accommodation) requirements for persons with disabilities
  • Air travel: Economy class is the standard option for ticket purchase. The lowest available airfares appropriate to particular itineraries are required to be booked and bookings are required to be made as far in advance as possible.

B.8 Taxis and ride-hailing services. The Recipient may only be approved for reimbursement for taxi fare, including a tip of up to 10%, or fare for a ride hailing service excluding a tip, in cases where it can be demonstrated to the satisfaction of the Ministry that:

  • group travel by taxi/ride hailing service is more economical than the total cost of individuals travelling separately by public transit or shuttle
  • taking a taxi/ride hailing service allows an unusually tight schedule for the Project to be met
  • the taxi/ride hailing service is regulated and appropriately insured in the city in question
  • the vehicle is a standard (not premium) vehicle

B.9 Hotels. Single accommodation in a standard hotel room is permitted. There will be no reimbursement for additional charges including:

  • premium accommodation such as hotel suites, executive floors or concierge levels
  • costs associated with cancellation of reservations
  • damage to the hotel room

B.10 Meals. Reasonable and appropriate costs for restaurant/prepared food may be permitted while traveling away from the regular work area for the Project. Reimbursement will not be provided for meals consumed at home or included in any other costs including the cost of transportation, hotels, seminars or conferences. Alcohol and cannabis products will not be reimbursed.

B.11 Meal Costs in Canada are subject to the per diem rate of up to $45, taxes and gratuities are included in this rate.

Appendix C: Communications protocol

C.1 General. The Recipient will apply the following principles and objectives to communications for the Project:

  • ensure coordination and consistency of the look, feel and tone of all Communication Products under the Sustainable CAP
  • communicate relevant Project information
  • ensure appropriate credit is given to Canada and the Province of Ontario

C.2 Communications contacts. The Recipient will designate one or more communications contacts to be responsible for obtaining consent from the Ministry on matters relating to Communications Products. The communications contact(s) will work directly with the Ministry to obtain any required consent from Canada and the Ministry. The Recipient will flag any potential media issues to the Ministry.

C.3 News releases and news conferences. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, the Recipient, through their communications contacts(s), will:

  • Ensure that, prior to publishing any news releases created, it will obtain:
    • Approval by the Ministry
    • Include quotes from Canada and the Ministry, unless either Canada or the Ministry declines to participate
    To that end, the Recipient will provide a minimum of 10 Business Days to Ontario to review draft news releases
  • Provide a minimum of 10 Business Days’ notice to the Ministry, of planned news conferences organized by the Recipient in order to facilitate the attendance of Canada and the Ministry. The date for the news conference and other logistical considerations will be negotiated between the Recipient and the Ministry.

C.4 Graphic standard including identification of Canada and the Province of Ontario. The Recipient will, for all Communications Products it develops for the Project:

  • Obtain from the Ministry and comply with the Sustainable Canadian Agricultural Partnership Graphic Standards Guide (guide), as amended from time to time
  • Use the updated version of the guide from the date the Ministry provides the Recipient with same should the guide be amended during the course of the Recipient’s Project

Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, the Recipient will ensure:

  • Canada and the Province of Ontario’s wordmarks will be used when the full Sustainable CAP graphic look, the simplified Sustainable CAP look or the Sustainable CAP graphic identifier is used
  • Canada and the Province of Ontario’s wordmarks will be prominently placed and equally prominent in size
  • no other identifier or wordmark will be more prominent than Canada and the Province of Ontario’s wordmarks. The size of Canada and the Province of Ontario’s wordmarks will be measured by the height of the “a” in the words “Canada” and “Ontario”

C.5 Review. For the purposes of the review of Communications Products, the following will apply:

  • The Recipient will ensure that all Communications Products created by the Recipient are sent to the Ministry’s communications contact for review.
  • The Ministry’s communications contact will make best efforts to have the materials reviewed by Canada, and returned to the Recipient, within 5 Business Days. Additional time may be required in extenuating circumstances, as deemed necessary by the Ministry’s communications contact.

C.6 Retention. The Recipient will keep a record of each Communications Product in accordance with the requirements in the Guideline, and shall, upon request from either Canada or the Ministry, produce copies of any Communications Products.

C.7 Language. The Recipient may produce Communications Products in the English language only provided there is no other requirement in the Approval Letter for Communications Products to be provided in the French language. If the Recipient is required to provide Communications Products in both English and French, the Recipient must ensure the quality of the translated documents.

C.8 Communications materials created by Canada and the Ministry. The Ministry’s communications officer will make best efforts to share with the Recipient any communications materials created by Canada and the Ministry that mention the Recipient.

Appendix D: NAICS codes for Application Form

D.1 Best-fit NAICS codes. The Applicant must choose the best-fit NAICS code from the following list to insert in its Application Form:

Code Class title Class definition
111110 Soybean farming This Canadian industry comprises establishments primarily engaged in growing soybeans.
111120 Oilseed (except soybean) farming This Canadian industry comprises establishments primarily engaged in growing fibrous plants that produce oilseeds.
111130 Dry pea and bean farming This Canadian industry comprises establishments primarily engaged in growing dry peas, beans and lentils.
111140 Wheat farming This Canadian industry comprises establishments primarily engaged in growing wheat.
111150 Corn farming This Canadian industry comprises establishments primarily engaged in growing corn.
111160 Rice farming This Canadian industry comprises establishments primarily engaged in growing rice, except wild rice.
111190 Other grain farming This Canadian industry comprises establishments, not classified to any other Canadian industry, primarily engaged in growing grains.
111211 Potato farming This Canadian industry comprises establishments primarily engaged in growing potatoes, yams and seed potatoes.
111219 Other vegetable (except potato) and melon farming This Canadian industry comprises establishments, not classified to any other Canadian industry, primarily engaged in growing vegetables and melons.
111310 Orange groves This Canadian industry comprises establishments primarily engaged in growing oranges.
111320 Citrus (except orange) groves This Canadian industry comprises establishments primarily engaged in growing citrus fruit, except oranges.
111330 Non-citrus fruit and tree nut farming This Canadian industry comprises establishments primarily engaged in growing tree nuts and non-citrus fruit.
111411 Mushroom production This Canadian industry comprises establishments primarily engaged in growing mushrooms under cover.
111412 Cannabis grown under cover This Canadian industry comprises establishments primarily engaged in growing cannabis under glass or protective cover.
111419 Other food crops grown under cover This Canadian industry comprises establishments, not classified to any other Canadian industry, primarily engaged in growing food crops under glass or protective cover.
111421 Nursery and tree production This Canadian industry comprises establishments primarily engaged in growing, under cover or in open fields, nursery products and trees and short rotation woody crops, for pulp and tree stock, that have a typical growth cycle of less than ten years.
111422 Floriculture production This Canadian industry comprises establishments primarily engaged in growing, under cover or in open fields, floriculture products and propagating materials.
111910 Tobacco farming This Canadian industry comprises establishments primarily engaged in growing tobacco.
111940 Hay farming This Canadian industry comprises establishments primarily engaged in growing hay, grasses and mixed hay.
111993 Fruit and vegetable combination farming This Canadian industry comprises establishments primarily engaged in growing a combination of fruit and vegetables.
111994 Maple syrup and products production This Canadian industry comprises establishments primarily engaged in gathering maple sap and producing maple products.
111995 Cannabis grown in open fields This Canadian industry comprises establishments primarily engaged in growing cannabis in open fields.
111999 All other miscellaneous crop farming This Canadian industry comprises establishments, not classified to any other Canadian industry, primarily engaged in growing crops.
112110 Beef cattle ranching and farming, including feedlots This Canadian industry comprises establishments primarily engaged in raising and fattening cattle.
112120 Dairy cattle and milk production This Canadian industry comprises establishments primarily engaged in milking dairy cattle.
112210 Hog and pig farming This Canadian industry comprises establishments primarily engaged in raising hogs and pigs.
112310 Chicken egg production This Canadian industry comprises establishments primarily engaged in raising chickens for the production of eggs, including hatching eggs.
112320 Broiler and other meat-type chicken production This Canadian industry comprises establishments primarily engaged in raising chickens for the production of meat.
112330 Turkey production This Canadian industry comprises establishments primarily engaged in raising turkeys.
112340 Poultry hatcheries This Canadian industry comprises establishments primarily engaged in hatching poultry of any kind.
112391 Combination poultry and egg production This Canadian industry comprises establishments primarily engaged in raising any combination of poultry for meat and egg production, with no one predominating.
112399 All other poultry production This Canadian industry comprises establishments, not classified to any other Canadian industry, primarily engaged in raising poultry.
112410 Sheep farming This Canadian industry comprises establishments primarily engaged in raising sheep and lambs, and feeding or fattening lambs.
112420 Goat farming This Canadian industry comprises establishments primarily engaged in raising goats.
112910 Apiculture This Canadian industry comprises establishments primarily engaged in raising bees, collecting and gathering honey, and performing other apiculture activities.
112920 Horse and other equine production This Canadian industry comprises establishments primarily engaged in raising horses, mules, donkeys and other equines.
112930 Fur-bearing animal and rabbit production This Canadian industry comprises establishments primarily engaged in raising fur-bearing animals, including rabbits.
112991 Animal combination farming This Canadian industry comprises establishments primarily engaged in raising a combination of animals, with no one predominating.
112999 All other miscellaneous animal production This Canadian industry comprises establishments, not classified to any other Canadian industry, primarily engaged in raising animals.
113110 Timber tract operations This Canadian industry comprises establishments primarily engaged in the operation of timber tracts, for the purpose of selling standing timber.
114114 Freshwater fishing This Canadian industry comprises establishments primarily engaged in catching or gathering freshwater species of finfish and shellfish, and harvesting other freshwater products.
114210 Hunting and trapping This Canadian industry comprises establishments primarily engaged in commercial hunting and trapping, and operating and managing commercial game preserves.
115110 Support activities for crop production This Canadian industry comprises establishments primarily engaged in providing support activities for growing crops.
115210 Support activities for animal production This Canadian industry comprises establishments primarily engaged in providing support activities related to raising livestock.
221119 Other electric power generation This Canadian industry comprises establishments, not classified to any other Canadian industry, primarily engaged in the generation of electricity, using sources such as wind, solar or tidal energy.
221310 Water supply and irrigation systems This Canadian industry comprises establishments primarily engaged in operating water collection, treatment and distribution systems for domestic and industrial needs.
311111 Dog and cat food manufacturing This Canadian industry comprises establishments primarily engaged in manufacturing dog and cat food.
311119 Other animal food manufacturing This Canadian industry comprises establishments, not classified to any other Canadian industry, primarily engaged in manufacturing animal food.
311211 Flour milling This Canadian industry comprises establishments primarily engaged in grinding grains, fruits or vegetables, except rice.
311214 Rice milling and malt manufacturing This Canadian industry comprises establishments primarily engaged in milling rice; cleaning and polishing rice; manufacturing rice flour or meal; or manufacturing malt from barley, rye or other grains.
311221 Wet corn milling This Canadian industry comprises establishments primarily engaged in wet-milling corn and other vegetables.
311224 Oilseed processing This Canadian industry comprises establishments primarily engaged in crushing oilseeds and tree nuts and extracting oils.
311225 Fat and oil refining and blending This Canadian industry comprises establishments primarily engaged in manufacturing fats and oils by processing crude or partially refined oils, for example deodorizing them; or blending purchased fats and oils.
311230 Breakfast cereal manufacturing This Canadian industry comprises establishments primarily engaged in manufacturing breakfast cereal foods.
311310 Sugar manufacturing This Canadian industry comprises establishments primarily engaged in manufacturing raw sugar, sugar syrup and refined sugar from sugar cane, raw cane sugar or sugar beets.
311340 Non-chocolate confectionery manufacturing This Canadian industry comprises establishments primarily engaged in manufacturing non-chocolate confectionery.
311351 Chocolate and chocolate confectionery manufacturing from cacao beans This Canadian industry comprises establishments primarily engaged in shelling, roasting and grinding cacao beans into chocolate cacao products and chocolate confectionery.
311352 Confectionery manufacturing from purchased chocolate This Canadian industry comprises establishments primarily engaged in manufacturing chocolate confectionery from purchased chocolate.
311410 Frozen food manufacturing This Canadian industry comprises establishments primarily engaged in manufacturing frozen fruits and vegetables; and frozen dinners and side dishes of several ingredients, except seafood.
311420 Fruit and vegetable canning, pickling and drying This Canadian industry comprises establishments primarily engaged in preserving fruits and vegetables by canning, pickling, brining and dehydrating. Canning uses heat sterilization; pickling uses vinegar solutions and brining uses salt solutions.
311511 Fluid milk manufacturing This Canadian industry comprises establishments primarily engaged in manufacturing milk and processed milk products.
311515 Butter, cheese, and dry and condensed dairy product manufacturing This Canadian industry comprises establishments primarily engaged in manufacturing butter, cheese, and dry and condensed dairy products.
311520 Ice cream and frozen dessert manufacturing This Canadian industry comprises establishments primarily engaged in manufacturing ice cream and other frozen desserts.
311614 Rendering and meat processing from carcasses This Canadian industry comprises establishments primarily engaged in rendering animal fat, bones and meat scraps; or preparing meat and meat by-products from carcasses.
311615 Poultry slaughtering and processing This Canadian industry comprises establishments primarily engaged in slaughtering poultry and small game or preparing processed poultry and small game meat and meat by-products.
311616 Beef cattle slaughtering This Canadian industry comprises establishments primarily engaged in slaughtering beef cattle.
311617 Hog slaughtering This Canadian industry comprises establishments primarily engaged in slaughtering hogs.
311619 Other animal slaughtering This Canadian industry comprises establishments primarily engaged in slaughtering animals, except beef cattle, hogs, poultry and small game.
311710 Seafood product preparation and packaging This Canadian industry comprises establishments primarily engaged in canning seafood, including soup; smoking, salting and drying seafood; preparing fresh fish by removing heads, fins, scales, bones and entrails; shucking and packing fresh shellfish; processing marine fats and oils; and freezing seafood.
311811 Bakeries, manufacture of products for retail sale This Canadian industry comprises establishments primarily engaged in manufacturing bakery products, for sale to the general public, for consumption off the premises. Establishments in this industry make bakery products from flour, not from prepared doughs.
311814 Commercial bakeries and frozen bakery product manufacturing This Canadian industry comprises establishments primarily engaged in manufacturing bakery products, other than for sale to the general public. Establishments primarily engaged in manufacturing frozen baked products are included. Establishments in this industry make bakery products from flour, not from prepared doughs.
311821 Cookie and cracker manufacturing This Canadian industry comprises establishments primarily engaged in manufacturing cookies, crackers, biscuits and similar products.
311824 Flour mixes, dough and pasta manufacturing from purchased flour This Canadian industry comprises establishments primarily engaged in manufacturing either dry pasta, prepared flour mixes or dough from purchased flour.
311830 Tortilla manufacturing This Canadian industry comprises establishments primarily engaged in manufacturing tortillas.
311911 Roasted nut and peanut butter manufacturing This Canadian industry comprises establishments primarily engaged in salting, roasting, drying, cooking or canning nuts; processing grains or seeds into snacks; or manufacturing peanut butter.
311919 Other snack food manufacturing This Canadian industry comprises establishments, not classified to any other Canadian industry, primarily engaged in manufacturing snack foods.
311920 Coffee and tea manufacturing This Canadian industry comprises establishments primarily engaged in roasting coffee; manufacturing coffee and tea extracts and concentrates, including instant and freeze dried; blending tea; or manufacturing herbal tea.
311930 Flavouring syrup and concentrate manufacturing This Canadian industry comprises establishments primarily engaged in manufacturing soft drink concentrates and syrup, and related products for soda fountain use or for making soft drinks.
311940 Seasoning and dressing manufacturing This Canadian industry comprises establishments primarily engaged in manufacturing dressings and seasonings.
311990 All other food manufacturing This Canadian industry comprises establishments, not classified to any other Canadian industry, primarily engaged in manufacturing food.
312110 Soft drink and ice manufacturing This Canadian industry comprises establishments primarily engaged in manufacturing soft drinks, ice or bottled water. Water-bottling establishments in this industry purify the water before bottling it.
312120 Breweries This Canadian industry comprises establishments primarily engaged in brewing beer, ale, malt liquors and non-alcoholic beer.
312130 Wineries This Canadian industry comprises establishments primarily engaged in manufacturing wine or brandy, from grapes or other fruit.
312140 Distilleries This Canadian industry comprises establishments primarily engaged in distilling liquor, except brandy; blending liquor; or blending and mixing liquor and other ingredients.
312210 Tobacco stemming and redrying This Canadian industry comprises establishments primarily engaged in stemming or redrying tobacco. These establishments perform the final sorting, grading, redrying, treating and packing of tobacco leaves, and they typically age the tobacco.
312220 Tobacco product manufacturing This Canadian industry comprises establishments primarily engaged in manufacturing cigarettes and other tobacco products.
312310 Cannabis product manufacturing This Canadian industry comprises establishments primarily engaged in manufacturing products made from cannabis plants with a level of tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) greater than 0.3%.
313110 Fibre, yarn and thread mills This Canadian industry comprises establishments primarily engaged in spinning yarn from fibres; texturing, throwing or twisting man-made fibre filaments or purchased yarns; or manufacturing thread for sewing, crocheting, embroidery, tatting and similar uses.
322299 All other converted paper product manufacturing This Canadian industry comprises establishments, not classified to any other Canadian industry, primarily engaged in manufacturing converted paper products, from purchased paper.
325189 All other basic inorganic chemical manufacturing This Canadian industry comprises establishments, not classified to any other Canadian industry, primarily engaged in manufacturing inorganic chemicals.
325190 Other basic organic chemical manufacturing This Canadian industry comprises establishments, not classified to any other Canadian industry, primarily engaged in manufacturing basic organic chemicals.
325210 Resin and synthetic rubber manufacturing This Canadian industry comprises establishments primarily engaged in manufacturing synthetic resins, plastics materials and synthetic rubber from basic organic chemicals.
325313 Chemical fertilizer (except potash) manufacturing This Canadian industry comprises establishments primarily engaged in manufacturing nitrogenous and phosphoric fertilizer materials and mixing these ingredients with other ingredients into fertilizers.
325314 Mixed fertilizer manufacturing This Canadian industry comprises establishments primarily engaged in mixing ingredients produced elsewhere into fertilizers.
325320 Pesticide and other agricultural chemical manufacturing This Canadian industry comprises establishments primarily engaged in manufacturing agricultural chemicals, except fertilizers.
325410 Pharmaceutical and medicine manufacturing This Canadian industry comprises establishments primarily engaged in manufacturing drugs, medicines and related products for human or animal use.
333110 Agricultural implement manufacturing This Canadian industry comprises establishments primarily engaged in manufacturing machinery for use in performing farm operations, such as the preparation and maintenance of soil; planting, harvesting or threshing; field spraying; and preparing crops for market; or for use in horticultural and residential lawn care.
411110 Live animal merchant wholesalers This Canadian industry comprises establishments primarily engaged in wholesaling live animals.
411120 Oilseed and grain merchant wholesalers This Canadian industry comprises establishments primarily engaged in wholesaling oilseeds and grains. Establishments operating grain elevators (except those primarily engaged in storage) are included.
411130 Nursery stock and plant merchant wholesalers This Canadian industry comprises establishments primarily engaged in wholesaling nursery stock and plants.
411190 Other farm product merchant wholesalers This Canadian industry comprises establishments, not classified to any other Canadian industry, primarily engaged in wholesaling crude, unprocessed farm products.
413110 General-line food merchant wholesalers This Canadian industry comprises establishments primarily engaged in wholesaling a general line of food products.
413120 Dairy and milk products merchant wholesalers This Canadian industry comprises establishments primarily engaged in wholesaling processed milk and other dairy products.
413130 Poultry and egg merchant wholesalers This Canadian industry comprises establishments primarily engaged in wholesaling dressed poultry and eggs.
413140 Fish and seafood product merchant wholesalers This Canadian industry comprises establishments primarily engaged in wholesaling fresh, cured or frozen fish and seafood products, except packaged.
413150 Fresh fruit and vegetable merchant wholesalers This Canadian industry comprises establishments primarily engaged in cleaning, sorting, repackaging and wholesaling fresh fruit and vegetables. These establishments typically supply retailers.
413160 Red meat and meat product merchant wholesalers This Canadian industry comprises establishments primarily engaged in wholesaling fresh, frozen (except frozen packaged), cured and cooked meats.
413190 Other specialty-line food merchant wholesalers This Canadian industry comprises establishments, not classified to any other Canadian industry, primarily engaged in wholesaling specialized lines of food, including canned foods and packaged frozen foods.
413210 Non-alcoholic beverage merchant wholesalers This Canadian industry comprises establishments primarily engaged in wholesaling non-alcoholic beverages.
413220 Alcoholic beverage merchant wholesalers This Canadian industry comprises establishments primarily engaged in wholesaling alcoholic beverages.
413410 Cannabis merchant wholesalers This Canadian industry comprises merchant wholesalers primarily engaged in wholesaling crude, unprocessed cannabis and cannabis products.
417110 Farm, lawn and garden machinery and equipment merchant wholesalers This Canadian industry comprises establishments primarily engaged in wholesaling new or used farm, lawn and garden machinery, equipment and parts.
418310 Agricultural feed merchant wholesalers This Canadian industry comprises establishments primarily engaged in wholesaling animal feed.
418320 Seed merchant wholesalers This Canadian industry comprises establishments primarily engaged in wholesaling seeds for field crops, flowers and plants, garden seeds and grass seeds.
418390 Agricultural chemical and other farm supplies merchant wholesalers This Canadian industry comprises establishments, not classified to any other Canadian industry, primarily engaged in wholesaling agricultural chemicals, such as fertilizers, herbicides, pesticides and farm supplies; or a combination of goods classified to other industries in this industry group, with none predominating.
445110 Supermarkets and other grocery retailers (except Convenience retailers) This Canadian industry comprises establishments, known as supermarkets and grocery retailers, primarily engaged in retailing a general line of food, such as canned, dry and frozen foods; fresh fruits and vegetables; fresh and prepared meats, fish, poultry, dairy products, baked products and snack foods.
445230 Fruit and vegetable markets This Canadian industry comprises establishments primarily engaged in retailing fresh fruits and vegetables.
445240 Meat markets This Canadian industry comprises establishments primarily engaged in retailing fresh, frozen, or cured meats and poultry.
445250 Fish and seafood markets This Canadian industry comprises establishments primarily engaged in retailing fresh, frozen, or cured fish and seafood products.
445291 Baked goods retailers This Canadian industry comprises establishments primarily engaged in retailing baked goods not baked on the premises and not for immediate consumption.
445298 All other specialty food retailers This Canadian industry comprises establishments, not classified to any other Canadian industry, primarily engaged in retailing specialty foods.
445320 Beer, wine and liquor retailers This Canadian industry comprises establishments primarily engaged in retailing packaged alcoholic beverages, such as beer, wine and liquor.
456191 Food (health) supplement retailers This Canadian industry comprises establishments primarily engaged in retailing food supplement products, such as vitamins, nutrition supplements and body enhancing supplements.
459992 Beer and wine-making supplies retailers This Canadian industry comprises establishments primarily engaged in retailing beer and wine-making supplies and equipment.
459993 Cannabis retailers This Canadian industry comprises establishments primarily engaged in retailing cannabis and cannabis products.
541380 Testing laboratories This Canadian industry comprises establishments primarily engaged in providing physical, chemical and other analytical testing services.
541619 Other management consulting services This Canadian industry comprises establishments, not classified to any other Canadian industry, primarily engaged in providing advice and assistance to other organizations on management issues.
541620 Environmental consulting services This Canadian industry comprises establishments primarily engaged in providing advice and assistance to other organizations on environmental issues, such as the control of environmental contamination from pollutants, toxic substances and hazardous materials. These establishments identify problems, measure and evaluate risks and recommend solutions. They employ a multi-disciplined staff of scientists, engineers and other technicians, with expertise in areas such as air and water quality, asbestos contamination, remediation and environmental law.
541690 Other scientific and technical consulting services This Canadian industry comprises establishments, not classified to any other Canadian industry, primarily engaged in providing advice and assistance to other organizations on scientific and technical issues.
541710 Research and development in the physical, engineering and life sciences This Canadian industry comprises establishments primarily engaged in conducting research and experimental development in physical, engineering and life sciences, such as electronics, computers, chemistry, oceanography, geology, mathematics, physics, environmental, medicine, health, biology, botany, biotechnology, agriculture, fisheries, forestry, pharmacy, veterinary and other allied subjects.
541720 Research and development in the social sciences and humanities This Canadian industry comprises establishments primarily engaged in conducting research and analyses in education, sociology, psychology, language, economics, law and other social sciences and humanities.
541940 Veterinary services This Canadian industry comprises establishments of licensed veterinary practitioners primarily engaged in the practice of veterinary medicine, dentistry, or surgery for animals.
541990 All other professional, scientific and technical services This Canadian industry comprises establishments, not classified to any other Canadian industry, primarily engaged in the provision of professional, scientific or technical services.
562110 Waste collection This Canadian industry comprises establishments primarily engaged in collecting and hauling non-hazardous or hazardous waste within a local area.
562210 Waste treatment and disposal This Canadian industry comprises establishments primarily engaged in operating land fill sites, incinerators, or other treatment or disposal facilities for non-hazardous or hazardous waste.
562910 Remediation services This Canadian industry comprises establishments primarily engaged in the remediation and clean-up of contaminated buildings, mine sites, soil or ground water.
562990 All other waste management services This Canadian industry comprises establishments, not classified to any other Canadian industry, primarily engaged in waste management activities.
611110 Elementary and secondary schools This Canadian industry comprises establishments primarily engaged in providing academic courses that comprise a basic preparatory education, that is, Kindergarten to Grade 12.
611210 Community colleges and C.E.G.E.P.s This Canadian industry comprises establishments primarily engaged in providing academic, or academic and technical courses and granting associate degrees, certificates or diplomas that are below the university level. The requirement for admission to an associate or equivalent degree program is at least a high school diploma or equivalent general academic training.
611310 Universities This Canadian industry comprises establishments primarily engaged in providing academic courses and granting degrees at the bachelor or graduate levels. The requirement for admission is at least a high school diploma or equivalent general academic training for baccalaureate programs and often a baccalaureate degree for professional or graduate programs.
621510 Medical and diagnostic laboratories This Canadian industry comprises establishments primarily engaged in providing analytic or diagnostic services. These services are generally provided to the medical profession, or to the patient on referral from a health practitioner.
722310 Food service contractors This Canadian industry comprises establishments primarily engaged in supplying food services under contract for a specific period of time.
722330 Mobile food services This Canadian industry comprises establishments primarily engaged in preparing and serving meals and snacks for immediate consumption from motorized vehicles or non-motorized carts.
813410 Civic and social organizations This Canadian industry comprises establishments primarily engaged in promoting the civic and social interest of their members.
813910 Business associations This Canadian industry comprises establishments primarily engaged in promoting the business interests of their members.
813920 Professional organizations This Canadian industry comprises establishments primarily engaged in advancing the professional interests of their members and the profession as a whole.
913910 Other local, municipal and regional public administration This Canadian industry comprises establishments of local governments, not classified to any other Canadian industry, primarily engaged in executive and legislative activities; planning, fiscal and related policies and the administration of the public debt; assessing, levying and collecting taxes; conducting relations with other governments; and the administration of local, municipal and regional government programs.
914111 First Nations public administration This Canadian industry comprises establishments of First Nations governments primarily engaged in providing a wide variety of government services to their citizens that would otherwise be provided by federal, provincial or municipal levels of governments.
914112 Métis public administration This Canadian industry comprises establishments of Métis governments primarily engaged in providing a wide variety of government services to their citizens that would otherwise be provided by federal, provincial or municipal levels of governments.
914113 Inuit public administration This Canadian industry comprises establishments of Inuit governments primarily engaged in providing a wide variety of government services to their citizens that would otherwise be provided by federal, provincial or municipal levels of governments.