Funding Programs and Support

Where to Get Funding and Support:

Food and beverage manufacturing companies with operations in Canada are eligible for financial support through federal, provincial and municipal government programs. A variety of programs provide financial assistance for infrastructure, human capital and the development and commercialization of advanced technologies.

Funding Programs and Services fall under the following categories:

• Productivity and Competitiveness
• Northern Ontario
• Business Development and Growth
• Sector Specific Funding:
  • Dairy
• Market Access
• Sustainability: Greening the Industry
• Research and Development
• Workforce/Labour

Productivity and Competitiveness

Canadian Agricultural Partnership

The Partnership offers cost-share funding opportunities for processors and other agri-businesses to help modernize practices, equipment and operations.

Eastern Ontario Development Fund

A grant program to help businesses create new jobs, and invest in new technologies, equipment or skills training for workers; also supports projects that will attract or retain investment in eastern Ontario.

Southwestern Ontario Development Fund

A grant program to help businesses create new jobs, and invest in new technologies, equipment or skills training for workers; also supports projects that will attract or retain investment in southwestern Ontario.

Northern Ontario

Northern Ontario Heritage Fund Corporation - Northern Business Opportunity Program

This program encourages business productivity, expansion, and global investment in northern communities.

FedNor: Business Growth and Competitiveness

A federal program that helps Northern Ontario's businesses invest in projects that improve productivity, reach new markets, facilitate access to capital, foster investment, encourage entrepreneurship and cultivate industry collaboration.

Business Development and Growth

Food Safety and Traceability

OMAFRA has developed resources and e-learning courses that support the adoption of practices that help the food and beverage sector respond to heightened consumer awareness of food safety.

Sector Specific Funding

Dairy – Canadian Dairy Commission

The Canadian Dairy Commission operates with provincial authorities and industry stakeholders to provide ongoing support to the dairy industry.

Market Access

AgriMarketing Program: Small and Medium-sized

Enterprise Component (SME) – U.S. Addition

Administered by Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada, this program is for SMEs in agriculture, agri-food, and fish and seafood sectors with fewer than 250 employees and annual sales not exceeding $50M.

Rapid Response to Business Opportunities Program

This program is designed to provide benefit to the "business of agriculture" in Ontario.

Sustainability: Greening the Industry

Independent Electricity System Operator (IESO)

The IESO offers a range of funding programs to support communities, municipalities, public sector entities and co-operatives in the design and delivery of renewable energy and conservation initiatives.

Saveonenergy

Incentives to complete energy audits assessing the potential for energy savings to be achieved through equipment replacement, operational practices, or participation in Demand Response initiatives and other building systems and envelopes projects.

Research and Development

Industrial Research Assistance Program

Financial support and consulting services to Canadian companies in all industry sectors to encourage innovative products, processes and technology.

OMAFRA–University of Guelph Research Partnership

This research program includes seven themes. The Principal Investigator must be a faculty staff member from the University of Guelph and are encouraged to partner with industry.

Ontario Business Research Institute Tax Credit

Eligible corporations can claim a 20% refundable tax credit for qualified expenditures on scientific research and experimental development work performed in Ontario.

Rapid Response to Research Needs Program

Funding up to $20,000 to help solve small research hurdles or product standards testing.

Scientific Research and Experimental Development Seminars

Learn about the SR&ED incentives in Ontario. Attend a joint seminar offered by the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) and the Ontario Ministry of Finance to learn about the program, eligibility criteria, and eligible expenses.

Scientific Research and Experimental Development Tax Incentive Program

A tax incentive program to encourage Canadian businesses of all sizes and in all sectors to conduct research and development in Canada that will lead to new, improved, or technologically advanced products or processes.

Workforce/Labour

Canada Ontario Jobs Grant - Employment Ontario

Funding provided by the Government of Canada through the Canada Job Grant. Programs delivered by the Government of Ontario.

Career Edge

Career Edge is a self-sustaining social enterprise that connects leading Canadian employers with diverse, qualified talent through paid internships.

Employment Ontario - Connecting Young People with Jobs

Young people or students can access programs and services to help them find a job.

MITACS Accelerate

Solve business challenges with research expertise, matching funds, and one-to-one support from Mitacs.

Ontario Immigrant Nominee Program (OINP)

This program allows employers to apply for the approval of permanent, full-time positions to be filled by foreign nationals and recruit foreign nationals to fill those positions.

Co-operative Education Tax Credit

A refundable tax-credit available to employers who hire students enrolled in a co-operative education program at an Ontario university of college.

Sector Initiative Fund

A program designed to help industry sectors and organizations to develop training programs, materials and standards for their workforces.

Youth Employment Strategy

The National Research Council Industrial Research Assistance Program provides small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) with financial assistance to hire young talent. In addition to meeting the needs of innovative SMEs, this Program facilitates the transition of highly skilled young people to a rapidly changing labour market.