Overview

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

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

The programs under the Sustainable CAP will:

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

Funding opportunities

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

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

Labour Force Management Strategies Initiative

The Canadian and Ontario governments are investing up to $4 million to help primary producers and processors address local labour force challenges in the agri-food sector with pilot projects that implement innovative attraction, recruitment, and retention strategies.

Cybersecurity Preparedness Initiative

The Canadian and Ontario governments are investing up to $1.25 million for cybersecurity enhancements tailored to the growing needs of agricultural marketing boards.

Honey Bee Health Initiative

This initiative is in high demand and is close to fully subscribed.

The Canadian and Ontario governments are investing up to $2.375 million to provide cost-share funding to support beekeepers in maintaining healthy honey bee colonies as well as grow their number of colonies to increase the sustainability of the beekeeping industry in Ontario.

Promoting Agriculture and Food Careers Initiative

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

Ontario Agri-Food Research Initiative (OAFRI)

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

Resilient Agricultural Landscape Program (RALP)

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

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

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

Growing Future Opportunities Initiative

This initiative is in high demand and is close to fully subscribed.

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

Dairy Processing Modernization Initiative

This initiative is in high demand and is close to 90% subscribed.

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

Special Provisions for Financial Difficulties

The Canadian and Ontario governments are committed to helping Ontario farmers facing financial challenges by offering eligible producers cost-share support for financial advisory services to complete a Farm Financial Analysis.

Federal-only programs

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

Visit the AAFC website for more information about the programs.

Closed funding opportunities

Agricultural Stewardship Initiative (ASI)

The Canadian and Ontario governments are committing an additional $9 million, representing a total investment of up to $14 million, to help eligible farmers implement best management practices that support improvements to soil health, water quality and energy efficiency.

Agricultural Workforce Equity and Diversity Initiative

The Canadian and Ontario governments are investing up to $1.5 million in industry organizations, research bodies, municipalities, Indigenous communities and Indigenous governments to support underrepresented groups in starting or growing their own business in the agri-food sector.

Agri-Food Energy Cost Savings Initiative

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

Agri-Tech Innovation Initiative

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

Biosecurity Enhancement Initiative

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

Food Safety and Growth Initiative

The Canadian and Ontario governments are investing up to $5 million to help eligible small agri-food businesses modernize their food safety systems, adopt new food safety and traceability equipment and technologies and standards, and stimulate related sector growth.

Grow Ontario Market Initiative

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

Increasing Deadstock Capacity Initiative

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

International Agri-Food Workers Welcoming Communities Initiative

The Canadian and Ontario governments are investing up to $1.5 million to support municipalities and not-for-profit organizations foster an inclusive and welcoming environment for the attraction and retention of international agri-food workers.

Maple Production Improvement Initiative

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

Meat Processors Capacity Improvement Initiative

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

Sowing the Seeds of Wellness Initiative

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

  • The Farmer Wellness Initiative — provides farmers, farm workers and their families with access to free and unlimited mental health counselling tailored to the unique challenges faced by members of the agricultural community. Call 1-866-267-6255 to speak to a counsellor.
  • The Guardian Network — a network of volunteer, peer-driven mental health advocates supporting Ontario’s farming community.
  • In The Know — free mental health literacy training program designed specifically for farmers, their families and those who are involved in and/or support the agriculture sector.

Workshops and resources

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