BACKGROUND
The Advancing Canadian Agriculture and Agri-Food (ACAAF) program is a national five-year, $240 million program aimed at positioning Canada’s agriculture and agri-food sector at the leading edge to seize new opportunities. ACAAF was launched in April 2004 as a successor to the Canadian Adaptation and Rural Development (CARD) Fund, and will continue CARD’s innovative and cooperative approach to funding projects at the national, multi-regional and regional level.

The ACAAF program complements the objectives set out under the Agricultural Policy Framework (APF) and will further advance progress toward its goals by engaging industry stakeholders in undertaking new activities which complement existing programming. ACAAF will also encourage the sector to contribute to future agriculture and agri-food policy directions.

Regionally the Agricultural Adaptation Council (AAC) will receive over $7 million annually to deliver Ontario’s ACAAF program. The AAC is a not-for-profit grassroots coalition of 71 member industry organizations. Funding decisions are made by the elected Board of Directors who represent the Ontario agriculture and agri-food sector.

CANADVANCE PROGRAM OBJECTIVES

• Expand the sector’s capacity to respond to current and emerging issues
• Position the sector to capture market opportunities
• Actively and continuously engage the sector to contribute to future agriculture and agri-food policy directions
• Integrate sector-led projects tested and piloted under ACAAF into future government or industry initiatives

CANADVANCE PROGRAM PRINCIPLES

Initiatives funded under CanAdvance must adhere to the following basic principles on which the program is based:

• Consistent with Government of Canada policy directions, such as sustainable development, innovation and reporting results to Canadians.
• Within the mandate of Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada, as defined under the Agriculture and Agri-Food Act.
• Maximize benefits to Canada’s agriculture and agri-food sector through collaborative efforts.
• Consistent with international trade commitments and minimizing the exposure to countervail.
• Respect the need for equity among regions and stakeholders.
• Respect those areas that are solely within provincial and territorial jurisdiction.
• Avoid duplicating, overlapping or replacing federal, provincial and territorial programs and delivery mechanisms.

Excluded from eligibility are:

• Federal departments and agencies
• Applicants assessed as inappropriate to receive funding based on established assessment criteria
• Any application which is not consistent with the Canadian government policy decisions

TYPE OF FUNDING ASSISTANCE

• Grants and alternative financing (i.e. Loans and Loan Guarantees)
• Fair cost sharing is required. As a general rule, support should not exceed fifty percent of eligible activities
• In kind contributions will be accepted for not-for-profit organizations only

INELIGIBLE PROJECT COSTS

• Normal commercial expansion
• Direct income support
• Activities duplicating or overlapping the Agricultural Policy Framework programs
• Basic research (research aimed strictly for the advancement of knowledge)
• On-going activities such as annual meetings, trade shows, conferences, etc.
• Minor use regulations
• Projects must fall within the mandate of the Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada

CAPITAL
CanAdvance does not normally contribute to capital costs such as the construction of buildings, or the acquisition of land. However, under exception circumstances CanAdvance may share cost in the acquisition of new technology where the purchase of the new equipment is critical to the development of a new product or service.

CANADVANCE PROGRAM CRITERIA

• Projects must fit within the parameters of the program's three pillars
• Priority will be given to projects where the proposal demonstrates direct industry financial support and partnerships/alliances with others
• Applicants must be able to demonstrate the economic viability and longer-term self-sufficiency of their proposal, where the nature of the project warrants
• Applicants should demonstrate how their proposed project will contribute to the “public good”
• Funds will not be used as direct income support

COLLECTIVE OUTCOMES
The CanAdvance Program will encourage and support collaborative efforts or collective outcome projects which demonstrate greater industry collaboration amongst national, multi-regional and regional stakeholders. Collective outcomes projects could include the participation of:

• A minimum of two provincial or territorial councils or
• One or more provincial or territorial councils and a national group or
• A minimum of two national groups.

Collective outcome projects fit under one of the three pillars with the goal to increase and strengthen collaboration and or new alliances throughout the sector, while maximizing the benefits from CanAdvance support.

APPLICATION PROCESS

• Submit a pre-proposal to receive feedback from AAC staff.
• Submit a typed Application Form and non-refundable $100.00 application fee.

Please allow 6 to 8 weeks for processing before your application is reviewed by the AAC Board of Directors.

APPROVAL PROCESS

• The AAC Board of Directors reviews all applications and makes decisions on approvals, terms, conditions, and levels of funding. Funding decisions are based on the merits of proposals.
• If your project is approved, you will sign an agreement with AAC outlining the project terms and conditions, and the manner and timing of funding.

Pre-proposal and Application forms are available by visiting the How to Apply section of our website.