Standing up for Ontario’s Agri-food sector


Governments set date for funding opportunities for

farmers, food processors and other businesses

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Feb. 20, 2019

QUEEN’S PARK – Ontario and the federal government have announced that beginning in March farmers and other businesses can again apply for support under the Canadian Agricultural Partnership (the Partnership) for projects to boost innovation, economic development, environmental stewardship and food safety.

The intake will take place between March 22, 2019 and May 6, 2019. More information will be available on the websites of the Ontario Soil and Crop Improvement Association and the Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs on or before March 8, 2019.

“Innovation and value-added are keystones of agriculture in Haldimand and Norfolk Counties,” said Haldimand-Norfolk MPP Toby Barrett. “This funding can be a good fit to boost farming in our area.”

“The Canadian Agricultural Partnership is our commitment to farmers, processors and agri-food businesses that strategic funding for key initiatives will be there to help them grow, innovate, and prosper,” said Lawrence MacAulay, federal Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food. “Our Government is proud to support this strong and competitive sector as it continues to create well-paying middle class jobs for Canadians and meet the world’s growing demand for its high-quality products.”

“Our government is working with Ontario’s hard-working and innovative farmers and other business operators in our agriculture and agri-food sector to make it more open for business,” said Ernie Hardeman, Ontario’s Minister of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs. “Through these investments from the Canadian Agricultural Partnership, we will strengthen this key economic driver in our province and help eligible businesses grow, improve and prosper.”

To date, both the federal and provincial governments have committed cost-share support for more than 1,350 projects through the initiative to help eligible farmers, businesses and sector organizations innovate and grow.

These actions build on progress achieved though previous cost-share programming extended to these businesses and to sector organizations and collaborations.

Quick Facts

  • This cost-share funding will support projects in the following key priority areas:

·         Economic development in the agri-food and agri-products sectors.

·         Environmental stewardship to enhance water quality and soil health.

·         Protection and assurance to reinforce the foundation for public trust in the sector through improved assurance systems in food safety and plant and animal health.

  • The next application intakes for processors and other businesses (animal health, commercializers and primary agri-food businesses) will take place from March 22 to May 6, 2019.
  • The Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs (OMAFRA) administers cost-share funding under the Partnership to processors and other businesses (animal health, commercializers and primary agri-food businesses). More information about the next application intake will be available on March 5, 2019 on the OMAFRA website or by calling OMAFRA at: 1-877-424-1300.
  • The Ontario Soil and Crop Improvement Association (OSCIA) administers cost-share funding under the Partnership to farmers and other businesses (plant health). More information about next application intake will be available on March 5, 2019 on the OSCIA website or by calling OMAFRA at: 1-877-424-1300.
  • Program guides will made be available at: www.ontarioprogramguides.net.
  • Applicants will be able submit applications online at: www.ontarioprograms.net.
  • Cost-share funding under the Partnership is merit-based and project funding amounts are individually established based on project types.
  • The Partnership is a five-year, $3 billion commitment by Canada’s federal, provincial and territorial governments that supports Canada’s agri-food and agri-products sectors.

Additional Resources

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For more information, contact MPP Toby Barrett at 519-428-0446 or toby.barrett@pc.ola.org