2020–21 Departmental Plan - Details on transfer payment programs

The expected result:

• The agriculture and agri-food sector is equipped with assurance systems and supporting tools.

The performance indicator related to the expected result:

• Percentage of implementation plans for assurance projects reported to be functioning.

The objective of the Agricultural Clean Technology Program is to promote sustainable growth in Canada's agriculture and agri-food sector while helping drive the change required to achieve a low carbon economy, through investments in the areas of precision agriculture and agri-based bioproducts.

The program provides non-repayable contributions to provincial and territorial governments to support activities along the innovation continuum - from research and development to commercialization, demonstration and adoption – with the aim of accelerating and contributing to the advancement and adoption of clean technologies in Canadian agriculture.

The expected result:

• Increased investment by provincial and territorial governments in clean technologies in the agriculture and agri-food sector, and
• Increased development, demonstration, commercialization and adoption of clean technologies in agriculture.

The performance indicators related to the expected result:

• The ratio of leveraged provincial and territorial investments against federal funding; and
• The number of agricultural clean technology projects that are supported through the program.

The expected result:

• Recipients are supported in their recovery from natural disasters.

The performance indicator related to the expected result:

• Percentage of recipients for whom payments played an important role in their recovery from a disaster.

The process for AgriRecovery begins when one or more provincial/territorial government(s) requests an assessment of a disaster event in writing. Once the request has been made, a joint federal and provincial/territorial task team conducts an AgriRecovery assessment. As needed, the task team consults with affected producers, industry representatives and other department/agency representatives (for example, the Canadian Food Inspection Agency). The assessment looks at the impacts of the event on producers, the ability for them to recover quickly and the costs associated with those recovery activities as well as how existing programs will respond.

Generic information on the AgriRecovery Framework is available on Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada's website while the specifics on the initiatives are usually available on provincial/territorial governments' websites.

The expected results:

• Information products related to the mitigation of greenhouse gases emissions are available to share with farmers; and
• Program recipients make greenhouse gases mitigation technologies and beneficial management practices available to farmers.

The performance indicators related to the expected results:

• Number of information products such as factsheets and brochures that are developed; and 
• Number of newly developed technologies and beneficial management practices that are demonstrated through field days and workshops.

The expected result:

• The capacity of participating firms to demonstrate, commercialize and adopt technologies (products, processes, practices or systems) and/or services is increased.

The performance indicator related to the expected result:

• Number of innovative technologies (products, processes, practices or systems) and/or services implemented by participating firms.

Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada communication efforts may include mail outs, news conferences or news releases.

Program clients are also being engaged through email, site visits, web presence, videoconferences, teleconferences or other outreach and project assessment and monitoring.

Additional efforts include broader industry engagement, including outreach to the series of Value Chain Roundtables, the Innovation and CleanTech Hub and other related industry associations.

The expected results:

• Individualized crop protection from natural hazards that reduce the financial impact of production losses is offered to producers; and
• Participants income is stabilized by minimizing the economic effects of production losses caused by natural hazards.

The performance indicators related to the expected results:

• Value of insured forage production compared to total value of all forage agricultural products eligible for insurance;
• Value of insured production (excluding forage and livestock) compared to the value of agricultural products (excluding forage and livestock) eligible for insurance; and
• Percentage of participants finding that AgriInsurance is effective in mitigating the financial impacts of production losses.

Any province or its agent is the recipient for federal contributions under AgriInsurance.

The ultimate recipient of AgriInsurance are agricultural producers (participants) who choose to purchase actuarially sound insurance coverage for the commodities they produce, or who experience verifiable losses due to wildlife.

Business Risk Management programs are generally marketed to producers as a package. In advance of key program deadlines, direct mail and advertising are used by administrators to raise program awareness, encourage enrolment and compliance with participation requirements (for example, meeting key deadlines). The program website, toll-free number, and media relations supports the promotional campaigns. Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada works with provinces and with third party delivery agencies to ensure a coordinated communications approach and to ensure federal identity on cost-shared programs.

The Department continues to build on the program websites as a key source of program information and on options for communicating information to program clients in order to support the Department's mandate to strengthen program service and delivery.

Communication activities comply with the Official Languages Act requirements. Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada also works with the National Program Advisory Committee to engage its producers.

The expected result:

• Producers set aside funds to cover various financial risks; and
• Producers manage risk and make on-farm investments in a timely fashion.

The performance indicator related to the expected result:

• Value of government contributions as a percentage of maximum allowable contributions; and
• Percentage of participants using AgriInvest funds to address income declines or make investments to reduce on-farm risks or increase farm revenues.

Business Risk Management programs are generally marketed to producers as a package. In advance of key program deadlines, direct mail and advertising are used by administrators to raise program awareness, encourage enrolment and compliance with participation requirements (for example, meeting key deadlines). The program website, My Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada Account, toll-free number, and media relations will support the promotional campaigns. The My Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada Account allows producers to get up to date information on-line for their AgriInvest Account.

Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada works with provinces and with third party delivery agencies to ensure a coordinated communications approach and to ensure federal identity on cost-shared programs. The Department continues to build on the program websites and My Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada Account as key sources of program information and on options for communicating information to program clients in order to support the Department's mandate to strengthen program service and delivery.

Communication activities comply with the Official Languages Act requirements. Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada also works with the National Program Advisory Committee to engage with producers and engages in consultations with national industry associations and producer groups on program directions and major program changes.

The expected result:

• To maintain, increase and diversify exports to international markets and seize domestic market opportunities through industry-led promotional activities that differentiate Canadian products and producers, and leverage Canada's reputation for high quality and safe food.

The performance indicators related to the expected result:

• Number of market development activities supported; and
• Value ($) of agriculture and agri-food exports.

The expected result:

• Industry is able to better manage business risks and remain viable in the long-term.

The performance indicator related to the expected result:

• Percentage of respondents indicate that their understanding of the risks they face increased over the last five years.

Research and Development projects:

Not-for-profit industry organizations representing agricultural and agri-business stakeholders, such as producer associations, commodity groups, and farm services associations; cooperatives, mutual insurance companies, reciprocals; academic institutions; and provincial and territorial governments.

Administrative Capacity Building projects:

Proponents of industry-led Administrative Capacity Building projects resulting from previously funded AgriRisk Initiatives Research and Development projects; proponents of industry-led Administrative Capacity Building projects where the research and development phase was funded from industry sources; proponents of not-for-profit and for-profit administrations delivering agricultural risk management tools; and provincial and territorial governments.

Information on the AgriRisk Initiatives program, as well as the eligibility criteria and application process, is available on Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada's website. The program website, toll-free number, and media relations supports the promotional campaigns.

Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada works with provinces to ensure a coordinated communications approach and to ensure federal identity on cost-shared programs.

The Department continues to build on the program websites as a key source of program information and on options for communicating information to program clients in order to support the Department's mandate to strengthen program service and delivery. Communication activities comply with the Official Languages Act requirements. Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada also works with the National Program Advisory Committee to engage its producers.

The AgriScience program accelerates the pace of innovation in the sector by supporting industry-led research and development to increase market opportunities in the agriculture, agri-food and agri-based products sector.

The program is delivered through two types of initiatives: the AgriScience – Clusters Component (Clusters) and the AgriScience – Projects Component (Projects). Clusters are national in scope and bring together scientific expertise from industry, academia and government to collaborate to address multiple industry priorities of a specific commodity (such as wheat, beef, et cetera) or cross-cutting issues (for example, bioproducts, food processing).

Projects may be individually led research projects or a small group of projects that are national, regional or local in scope.

The expected results:

• Research and development supported innovation are generated; and
• The sector's knowledge base is increased.

The performance indicators related to the expected results:

• The number of new technologies (new products, practices, processes and systems) that are developed under funded activities; and
• The number of papers published in peer-reviewed journals.

Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada communication efforts may include mail outs, news conferences or news releases.

Program clients are engaged through email, site visits, web presence or other outreach, and through project assessment and monitoring.

Additional efforts include broader industry engagement, including outreach to the series of Value Chain Roundtables, companies and industry associations.

The expected results:

• Individualized whole-farm protection from large income declines is offered to producers; and
• Participant's incomes are protected from severe income declines. .

The performance indicators related to the expected results:

• Value of program participants' farm market revenues as a percentage of all farm market revenues; and
• Percentage of participating producers whose income is greater than their allowable expenses in a program year.

Business Risk Management programs are generally marketed to producers as a package. In advance of key program deadlines, direct mail and advertising are used by administrators to raise program awareness, and encourage enrolment and compliance with participation requirements (for example, meeting key deadlines). The program website, My AAFC Account, toll-free number, and media relations will support the promotional campaigns. The My AAFC Account allows producers to get up-to-date information online for their AgriStability account.

Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada works with provinces and with third party delivery agencies to ensure a coordinated communications approach and to ensure federal identity on cost-shared programs. The Department continues to build on the program websites and My AAFC Account as a key source of program information and on options for communicating information to program clients in order to support the Department's mandate to strengthen program service and delivery.

Communication activities comply with the Official Languages Act requirements. Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada also works with the National Program Advisory Committee to engage with producers and engages in consultations with national industry associations and producer groups on program direction and major program changes.

The expected result:

• Program recipients develop tools and strategies to adapt to changing circumstances and/or respond to urgent and/or critical issues.

The performance indicator related to the expected result:

• Number of tools and strategies (training materials, methodologies, et cetera) that are developed to adapt to changing circumstances and/or respond to urgent and/or critical issues.

The Dairy Programs consist of the Dairy Farm Investment Program and the Dairy Processing Investment Fund, which are designed to encourage investment by dairy farmers and dairy processors to improve productivity and competitiveness.

The Dairy Farm Investment Program (2017-18 to 2021-22) supports dairy farmers to modernize their operations and improve their productivity through activities such as the adoption of robotic milkers, automated feeding systems, herd management tools, or other equipment upgrades.

The Dairy Processing Investment Fund (2017-18 to 2020-21) supports dairy processors as they modernize their facilities and conduct near-market activities to introduce new and improved products that will compete with expected imports. The program supports access to technical expertise and the purchase of new equipment in order to expand processing capacity and diversify product lines to capture new market opportunities.

The expected results:

• Dairy processing facilities and not-for-profit organizations participate in the program;
• Processors' productivity is advanced;
• Processors increase the use of fluid or industrial milk and milk components; and
• Dairy farms invest in new equipment to enhance their productivity.

The performance indicators related to the expected results:

• Number of facilities and not-for-profit organizations that apply for and receive funding;
• Percentage reduction of total cost per dairy product unit;
• Percentage increase in volume of industrial or fluid milk and milk components used in production; and
• Number of farm investments.

Dairy Farm Investment Program: 2023-24
Dairy Processing Investment Fund: 2023-24

Dairy Farm Investment Program

• Canadian licensed cow's milk producers.

Dairy Processing Investment Fund

• For-profit organizations, including co-operatives, which are:
• small and medium cheese makers; and
• large cheese makers and dairy processors involved in processing dairy products in Canada whose projects have benefits that accrue broadly.
• Not-for-profit organizations involved in or representing the dairy processing sector in Canada.

Dairy Farm Investment Program

• National consultations were held with stakeholders in advance of the Government announcing the launch of the second round of the Dairy Farm Investment Program in January 2019.

Dairy Processing Investment Fund

• Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada communication efforts include mail outs, news conferences or news releases. The program administration continually meets with the industry to improve awareness and understanding of the program.

Program clients are also being engaged through email, site visits, web presence or other outreach and project assessment and monitoring.

The excepted result:

• Dairy supply managed producers have access to compensation as they adjust to the expected impacts of the Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement, and the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership.

The performance indicator(s) related to the expected result:

• Percent of dairy farms compensated identified by the Canadian Dairy Commission.

The expected result:

• Challenge(s) are issued for innovative ideas to reduce food waste.

The performance indicator related to the expected result:

• Number of challenges issued.

National consultations were held in 2017 on a national food policy, and published in Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada's “What We Heard” report in 2018. The Government announced the Food Policy For Canada on June 17, 2019, followed by the Food Waste Reduction initiative on July 4, 2019.

Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada's other communications efforts include mail outs, news conferences or news releases and posting on social media. The program administration will be meeting/engaging with the industry to improve understanding of the program and to validate program design.

Program clients are also being engaged through email, web presence and other outreach methods such as workshops.

The expected result:

• Investments in local food infrastructure to increase the availability of healthy and nutritious food.

The performance indicator related to the expected result:

• Number of infrastructure investments.

Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada communication efforts may include mail outs, news conferences or news releases. Program clients may also be engaged through email, site visits, web presence, videoconferences, teleconferences or other outreach and project assessment and monitoring.

Additional efforts include broader industry engagement, including outreach to federal, provincial and territorial counterparts and various food-related associations across the country.

The expected result:

• Producers and agricultural co-operatives have access to affordable capital to make investments in their operations.

The performance indicator related to the expected result:

• Dollar value of Canadian Agricultural Loans Act loans registered to existing farmers per fiscal year ($millions).

The primary marketing channel for the Canadian Agricultural Loans Act program is through the financial institutions who deliver the program. Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada supports these efforts in a variety of ways to encourage awareness and uptake, including: social media campaigns (for example, Facebook, Twitter); direct mail to producers; print advertising in farm/lender publications; as well as print on demand fact sheets for the agricultural lenders which help maintain common messaging and brand identity.

Each year, Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada officials also attend two or three selected industry trade shows/annual general meetings to communicate the benefits of the program directly to producers and to learn and gather feedback from producers on the program.

There are two programs under the Agricultural Marketing Programs Act:

• The Advance Payments Program provides producers with access to credit through cash advances based on the value of their agricultural products. This enables producers to meet financial obligations and allows them to make the decision to sell agricultural products based on market conditions rather than the need for cash flow.
• The Price Pooling Program provides cooperative marketing agencies with a price guarantee on eligible products as a form of security against unanticipated declines in the market price for their products. This helps them to secure financing to issue initial payments to their producer members as they deliver product to the cooperative marketing pools.

Advance Payments Program

The expected result:

• Producers can access low cost capital to address cash flow needs over the production period and provide marketing flexibility.

The performance indicator related to the expected result:

• Dollar value of Advance Payments Program advances issued per production period ($billions).

Price Pooling Program

The expected result:

• Producers have access to timely payments upon delivery of eligible commodities to pool.

The performance indicator related to the expected result:

• Number of days between delivery of product(s) to pool and producer receiving payment.

The primary marketing channel for the Advance Payments Program is through the approximately 35 producer organizations who administrator the program. Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada supports these efforts in a variety of ways to encourage awareness and uptake, including: social media campaigns (for example, Facebook, Twitter); print advertising in farm publications; as well as print-on-demand fact sheets that help maintain common messaging and brand identity.

Each year, Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada officials also attend two or three selected industry trade shows/ annual general meetings to communicate the benefits of the program directly to producers and to learn and gather feedback from producers on the program.

In 2020-21, Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada will be completing a review of Agricultural Marketing Program Act programs, as required under the Act. This legislative review will include holding, in cooperation with the regional offices, a series of engagement sessions around the country to obtain input from lenders (financial institutions), Advance Payments Program Administrators, producer organizations and producers.

• The Canadian agriculture and agri-food sector contributes to growing the economy
• The Canadian agriculture and agri-food sector is effective in transforming ideas into new products, processes or practices
• The agricultural sector is financially resilient
• The agriculture and agri-food sector is equipped with assurance systems and supporting tools

Federal, Provincial and Territorial Cost-shared Markets and Trade

Federal, Provincial and Territorial Cost-shared Science, Research, Innovation and Environment

Federal, Provincial and Territorial Cost-Shared Assurance

Federal, Provincial and Territorial Cost-shared Markets and Trade:

• Transfer payments are provided to the provinces and territories for programming to assist the Canadian agricultural sector in creating market-based opportunities for individual farms and firms, and providing industry with the knowledge and tools to compete at home and abroad. Specific provincial and/or territorial programs support the sector in identifying new domestic and global opportunities that enhance competitiveness and prosperity.

Federal, Provincial and Territorial Cost-shared Science, Research, Innovation and Environment:

• Transfer payments are provided to the provinces and territories for programming to accelerate the pace of innovation in the Canadian agriculture and agri-food sector. A key focus of such innovation is the research, development and commercialization of products, practices, processes and systems that enhance productivity, competitiveness, economic growth and adaptability to environment and climate change in the sector.

Federal, Provincial and Territorial Cost-Shared Assurance:

• Transfer payments are provided to the provinces and territories for agricultural assurance programming to develop tools and support proactive mitigation activities. Specific provincial or territorial programs support the sector in its endeavors to prevent and control risks to the animal and plant resource base, provide safe food, and meet new market demands for assurance.

Federal, Provincial and Territorial Cost-shared Markets and Trade

The expected result:

• The sector is accessing generic and customized information and intelligence to assess market opportunities.

The performance indicator related to the expected result:

• Number of clients reporting that market information and intelligence meets needs for awareness and knowledge of market opportunities.

Federal, Provincial and Territorial Cost-shared Science, Research, Innovation and Environment

The expected result:

• New agriculture and agri-food technologies are generated and commercialized.

The performance indicator related to the expected result:

• Number of new technologies (products, practices, processes and systems) that attain Intellectual Property protection.

Federal, Provincial and Territorial cost-shared Assurance

The expected result:

• The sector is adopting risk management activities to maximize resilience.

The performance indicators related to the expected result:

• Number of risk management/assurance projects completed on-farm; and
• Number of risk management/assurance projects completed on processing facilities.

• Individuals;
• Partnerships;
• Limited Partnerships;
• For-profit and not-for-profit companies;
• Trusts;
• Cooperatives;
• Marketing boards;
• For-profit and not-for-profit organizations;
• International organizations;
• Academic institutions such as universities and colleges;
• Provincial, territorial and municipal governments, including their institutions, agencies and corporations;
• Indigenous communities and governments; and
• Crown Corporations.

The expected result:

• Individuals, producers and businesses are making use of business management strategies and tools.

The performance indicators related to the expected result:

• Number of approved projects; and
• Number of participants at events where agricultural awareness, knowledge, skills and best practises are shared.

The expected results:

• Individuals, producers and businesses are making use of business management strategies and tools; and
• Increased participation in agriculture from diverse groups.

The performance indicators related to the expected results:

• Number of approved projects; and
• Number of underrepresented groups participating in agricultural projects.

The expected result:

• Canadian youth, particularly youth facing barriers, have the opportunity to gain valuable professional experience that facilitates their ability to participate in the workforce.

The performance indicators related to the expected result:

• Number of participants;
• Number of participants facing barriers;
• Number of participants who demonstrated strengthened and/or new skills; and
• Number of participants who found employment.

The expected result:

• The supply management system for poultry and eggs works in the balanced interest of stakeholders, from producers to consumers.

The performance indicator related to the expected result:

• The degree to which national marketing agencies operate in accordance to the Farm Products Agencies Act, under effective oversight by the Farm Products Council of Canada.

The expected result:

• Scientific knowledge (for example, products, technologies, beneficial management practices) is transferred or available for transfer to the agriculture sector and the science community.

The performance indicator related to the expected result:

• Number of new products, processes and technologies available for transfer to stakeholders.

• The Canadian agriculture and agri-food sector contributes to growing the economy
• The Canadian agriculture and agri-food sector is effective in transforming ideas into new products, processes or practices

The expected results:

• Maintain and expand trade and market access opportunities;
• Connect the sector to global resources and knowledge; and
• Cooperate internationally to build relationships and influence others in advancement of objectives.

The performance indicator related to the expected results:

• Number of international projects.

The expected result:

• Scientific knowledge (for example, products, technologies, beneficial management practices) is transferred or available for transfer to the agriculture sector and the science community.

The performance indicator related to this expected result:

• Number of new products, processes and technologies available for transfer to stakeholders.