2024–2025 Departmental Plan: Details on transfer payment programs

Start date: April 1, 2018

End date: March 31, 2028

Type of transfer payment: Contribution

Type of appropriation: Voted appropriation annually through Estimates

Fiscal year for terms and conditions: 2022–23 (Terms and conditions amended)

Link to departmental result(s): The agriculture and agri-food sector is equipped with assurance systems and supporting tools.

Link to the department's Program Inventory: Assurance Program

Purpose and objectives of transfer payment program

The program aims to:

• Increase and diversify exports to markets where Canada has free trade agreements in place.
• Support industry to develop, verify and integrate assurance systems to address market and regulatory requirements (for example, food safety, plant and animal health surveillance, animal welfare, environmental sustainability, traceability, market attributes and quality standards).
• Enable industry to make credible, meaningful and verifiable claims about the health, safety, and quality of Canadian agriculture products.

The program has 2 components:

• National Industry Association Component — provides funding to national industry associations to develop or improve assurance systems that aid their sector in managing risks and/or ensuring product safety and quality.
• Small and Medium-sized Enterprises Component — supports businesses to adopt assurance systems and supporting tools to make verifiable claims to meet export market requirements or domestic market requirements or domestic markets for Indigenous Peoples.

Expected result

• The agriculture and agri-food sector is equipped with assurance systems and supporting tools that contribute to increase public confidence in the food system.

Performance indicators

National Industry Association Component

• Number of assurance projects approved
• Percentage of assurance systems advanced or completed
• Percentage of implementation plans for assurance projects reported to be functioning

Small and Medium-sized Enterprises Component

• Number of assurance projects approved
• Number of target markets accessed
• Number of certified schemes completed
• Make meaningful advances towards addressing issues that are important to consumers and the public, such as improving the alignment of Environmental Farm Plans and Best Management Practices

Fiscal year of last completed evaluation: 2022–23

Decision following the results of last evaluation: Continuation

Fiscal year of next planned evaluation: 2026–27

General targeted recipient groups

Not-for-profit and for-profit organizations

Initiatives to engage applicants and recipients

Stakeholders were engaged as part of the Government's national consultations on the Sustainable Canadian Agricultural Partnership.

Start date: May 6, 2021 (Renewed)

End date: March 31, 2028 (March 31, 2026 for the Adoption stream)

Type of transfer payment: Grant and Contribution

Type of appropriation: Voted appropriation annually through Estimates

Fiscal year for terms and conditions: 2022–23 (Terms and conditions amended)

Link to departmental result(s): The Canadian agriculture and agri-food sector is effective in transforming ideas into new products, processes or practices

Link to the department's Program Inventory: Environment and Climate Change Programs

Purpose and objectives of transfer payment program

The Agricultural Clean Technology Program aims to create an enabling environment for the development and adoption of agricultural clean technology, that will help drive the changes required to achieve a low-carbon economy, and promote sustainable growth in Canada's agriculture and agri-food sector.

Expected result

• Increased development and adoption of clean technologies to enhance environmental sustainability and reduce greenhouse gas emissions

Performance indicators

• Number of clean technologies that are developed, assessed and demonstrated
• Number of adopted agricultural clean technologies

Fiscal year of last completed evaluation: Not applicable — new program

Decision following the results of last evaluation: Not applicable

Fiscal year of next planned evaluation: 2024–25

General targeted recipient groups

Adoption Stream

• for-profit organizations, including farm businesses and agri-food processors
• not-for-profit organizations, including co-operatives
• individuals
• sole proprietors
• Indigenous groups

Research and Innovation Stream

• For-profit organizations, including agri-food processors
• Not-for-profit organizations, including co-operatives
• Indigenous groups

Initiatives to engage applicants and recipients

Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada communication efforts will include email and web presence, videoconferences, teleconferences, other outreach and project assessment and monitoring.

Start date: Agricultural Climate Solutions (ACS) Living Labs: April 1, 2021

ACS On-Farm Climate Action Fund: August 11, 2021

End date: ACS Living Labs — March 31, 2031; ACS On-Farm Climate Action Fund — March 31, 2028

Type of transfer payment: Grant and Contribution

Type of appropriation: Voted appropriation annually through Estimates

Fiscal year for terms and conditions: 2023–24 (Terms and conditions amended)

Link to departmental result(s): The Canadian agriculture and agri-food sector is effective in transforming ideas into new products, processes or practices

Link to the department's Program Inventory: Environment and Climate Change Programs

Purpose and objectives of transfer payment program

• ACS Living Labs aims to incent and accelerate on-farm co-development, testing, monitoring, dissemination, and adoption of Beneficial Management Practices (BMP) that sequester carbon, mitigate climate change, and provide environmental co-benefits and social benefits. ACS Living Labs is a program under the Natural Climate Solutions Fund (NCSF), a horizontal initiative led by Natural Resources Canada, with Environment and Climate Change Canada, and Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada, which aims to develop projects that invest in natural climate solutions.
• The ACS On-Farm Climate Action Fund aims to accelerate the adoption of farm practices that will reduce greenhouse gas emissions, sequester carbon, and achieve other environmental co-benefits. The program, also under the NCSF, focuses on supporting BMP adoption in three areas: improving nitrogen management; increasing adoption of cover cropping; and normalizing rotational grazing.

Expected results

ACS Living Labs

• Increase in capacity of producers to adopt beneficial management practices.

ACS On-Farm Climate Action Fund

• Increased participation of producers in beneficial management practices within the three areas (nitrogen management; cover cropping; rotational grazing).

Performance indicators

ACS Living Labs

• Number of BMPs developed or improved that increase carbon sequestration
• Number of BMPs developed or improved that reduce greenhouse gas emissions

ACS On-Farm Climate Action Fund

• Number of producers implementing new BMPs or expanding BMP adoption on new acres of land with support of the Fund

Fiscal year of last completed evaluation: Not applicable — new program

Decision following the results of last evaluation: Not applicable

Fiscal year of next planned evaluation: Initiated in 2023–24, scheduled for completion and publication in 2024–25

General targeted recipient groups

ACS Living Labs

• Not-for-profit organizations; Indigenous groups.

ACS On-Farm Climate Action Fund

• Not-for-profit organizations, including producer groups; Indigenous groups; for-profit organizations; and provincial or territorial Crown corporations.

Initiatives to engage applicants and recipients

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

Start date: April 1, 2018

End date: March 31, 2028

Type of transfer payment: Contribution

Type of appropriation: Statutory authority (Farm Income Protection Act)

Fiscal year for terms and conditions: 2022–23 (Terms and conditions amended)

Link to departmental result(s): The agricultural sector is financially resilient

Link to the department's Program Inventory: AgriRecovery

Purpose and objectives of transfer payment program

AgriRecovery is a disaster relief framework that allows governments to work efficiently together to assess the impacts of natural disasters on Canadian producers and respond when needed with targeted, disaster-specific initiatives. Initiatives developed under the program are intended to help producers beyond the support available through existing programming to cover the extraordinary costs necessary to recover from a disaster event and resume business operations as quickly as possible.

Expected result

• AgriRecovery initiatives support producers' recovery from natural disasters.

Performance indicator

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

Fiscal year of last completed evaluation: 2023–24

Decision following the results of last evaluation: Continuation

Fiscal year of next planned evaluation: 2027–28

General targeted recipient groups

Payments under AgriRecovery initiatives are directed to agricultural producers including individuals, cooperatives, corporations, communal organizations, trusts, and other entities that meet the requirements outlined in the terms and conditions for the program. Most AgriRecovery initiatives are delivered through provinces or territories (or their agents). Through a contribution agreement, the federal government cost shares the costs of delivery as well as program payments.

Initiatives to engage applicants and recipients

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 and Public Safety Canada).

Start date: April 1, 2018

End date: March 31, 2028

Type of transfer payment: Contribution

Type of appropriation: Voted appropriation annually through Estimates

Fiscal year for terms and conditions: 2022–23 (Terms and conditions amended)

Link to departmental result(s): The Canadian agriculture and agri-food sector is effective in transforming ideas into new products, processes or practices.

Link to the department's Program Inventory: AgriInnovate

Purpose and objectives of transfer payment program

The AgriInnovate Program incents targeted commercialization, demonstration and/or adoption of commercial-ready innovative technologies and processes that increase agricultural and agri-food sector competitiveness and sustainability benefits.

Expected result

• Enhanced capacity of participating firms to adopt, scale-up and commercialize innovative technologies that will make the agri-food sector more competitive.

Performance indicator

• Number of innovative processes, practices, services and/or technology implemented.

Fiscal year of last completed evaluation: 2018–19

Decision following the results of last evaluation: Continuation

Fiscal year of next planned evaluation: 2024–25

General targeted recipient groups

For-profit organizations

Initiatives to engage applicants and recipients

Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada communication efforts will include email and web presence, videoconferences, teleconferences, other outreach and project assessment and monitoring. Additional efforts include broader industry engagement, including outreach with key stakeholders, industry associations, as well as other government Departments and agencies.

Start date: April 1, 2018

End date: March 31, 2028 (AgriInsurance is statutory and ongoing; however, the current policy and program authorities expire on this date.)

Type of transfer payment: Contribution

Type of appropriation: Statutory authority (Farm Income Protection Act)

Fiscal year for terms and conditions: 2023–24 (Terms and conditions amended)

Link to departmental result(s): The agricultural sector is financially resilient

Link to the department's Program Inventory: AgriInsurance

Purpose and objectives of transfer payment program

AgriInsurance provides Canadian producers with insurance coverage to reduce the economic impacts of production losses caused by adverse weather, crop diseases and other specified perils. AgriInsurance is a program that uses premiums to fund liabilities. Premiums are shared between governments and producers to ensure affordable coverage to producers, while administration costs are covered solely by governments. The commodities covered vary by province and continue to expand to cover new agricultural products.

Expected results

• Individualized crop protection from natural hazards that reduce the financial impact of production losses is offered to producers
• Stabilizes a producer's income by minimizing the economic effects of production losses caused by natural hazards

Performance indicators

• 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
• Percentage of participants finding that AgriInsurance is effective in mitigating the financial impacts of production losses

Fiscal year of last completed evaluation: 2023–24

Decision following the results of last evaluation: Continuation

Fiscal year of next planned evaluation: 2027–28

General targeted recipient groups

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.

Initiatives to engage applicants and recipients

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 (provinces) 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.

Start date: April 1, 2018

End date: March 31, 2028 (AgriInvest is statutory and ongoing; however, the current policy and program authorities expire on this date.)

Type of transfer payment: Grant and Contribution

Type of appropriation: Statutory authority (Farm Income Protection Act)

Fiscal year for terms and conditions: 2022–23 (Terms and conditions amended)

Link to departmental result(s): The agricultural sector is financially resilient

Link to the department's Program Inventory: AgriInvest

Purpose and objectives of transfer payment program

AgriInvest is part of the suite of Business Risk Management programs. It encourages Canadian producers to set money aside which they can draw upon for any reason, including to recover from income declines, or to make investments to reduce on-farm risks. Under the program, governments provide matching contributions to producers who make annual deposits to an AgriInvest savings account.

Expected results

• Producers set aside funds to cover various financial risks
• Account balances help producers manage risk and make on-farm investments in a timely fashion

Performance indicators

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

Fiscal year of last completed evaluation: 2022–23

Decision following the results of last evaluation: Continuation

Fiscal year of next planned evaluation: 2026–27

General targeted recipient groups

Individuals, cooperatives, corporations, communal organizations, trusts, and other entities that meet the conditions as outlined in the program guidelines.

Initiatives to engage applicants and recipients

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, a toll-free number, and media relations will support the promotional campaigns. The My AAFC Account allows producers to get up-to-date information on-line for their AgriInvest Account.

AAFC works with provinces and with third party delivery agencies to ensure a coordinated communications approach and federal identity on cost-shared programs. The Department continues to build on the program websites and My AAFC 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. AAFC also works with the National Program Advisory Committee to engage with producers, and consults with national industry associations and producer groups on program directions and major program changes.

Start date: April 1, 2018

End date: March 31, 2028

Type of transfer payment: Contribution

Type of appropriation: Voted appropriation annually through Estimates

Fiscal year for terms and conditions: 2022–23 (Terms and conditions amended)

Link to departmental result(s): The Canadian agriculture and agri-food sector contributes to growing the economy

Link to the department's Program Inventory: Trade and Market Expansion

Purpose and objectives of transfer payment program

The AgriMarketing Program will contribute to the Government's initiatives, such as the Indo-Pacific Strategy and the Trade and Investment Strategy, by supporting the national agricultural sectors to increase and diversify exports to international markets and seize domestic market opportunities.

Expected result

• The AgriMarketing Program will continue to assist Canadian national industry associations to take advantage of business development opportunities and to increase and diversify exports.

Performance indicators

• Number of AgriMarketing Program recipient clients
• Number of market development activities supported by the AgriMarketing Program
• Sector export revenue
• Sector revenue

Fiscal year of last completed evaluation: 2022–23

Decision following the results of last evaluation: Continuation

Fiscal year of next planned evaluation: 2026–27

General targeted recipient groups

National not-for-profit industry associations.

Initiatives to engage applicants and recipients

Stakeholders were engaged as part of the Government's national consultations on the Sustainable Canadian Agricultural Partnership.

Start date: April 1, 2018

End date: March 31, 2028

Type of transfer payment: Contribution

Type of appropriation: Voted appropriation annually through Estimates

Fiscal year for terms and conditions: 2022–23 (Terms and conditions amended)

Link to departmental result(s): The Canadian agriculture and agri-food sector is effective in transforming ideas into new products, processes or practices.

Link to the department's Program Inventory: AgriScience

Purpose and objectives of transfer payment program

The AgriScience program aims to accelerate innovation by providing funding and support for pre-commercial science activities and research that benefits the agriculture and agri-food sector and Canadians. The program has two components:

• Clusters Component — supports projects intended to mobilize industry, government and academia through partnerships, and address priority national themes and horizontal issues.
• Projects Component — supports a single project or a smaller set of projects that would be less comprehensive than a Cluster.

Expected results

• Improved knowledge and understanding of science-based solutions by the scientific and agriculture community and increased capacity to support a sustainable sector and to improve the sector's economic growth and resiliency.
• Increased development of innovative agricultural products, processes, practices, services and technologies that benefit the Canadian agriculture and agri-food sectors

Performance indicators

• Number of new technologies that are developed
• Number of papers published in peer-reviewed journals

Fiscal year of last completed evaluation: 2021–22

Decision following the results of last evaluation: Continuation

Fiscal year of next planned evaluation: 2024–25

General targeted recipient groups

For-profit or not-for-profit organizations including businesses, corporations, co-operatives, associations, and Indigenous groups.

Initiatives to engage applicants and recipients

Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada communication efforts include mail outs, news conferences, or news releases. Program clients will be engaged through email, web presence and other outreach, and through project assessment and monitoring. Additional efforts include broader industry engagement, including outreach to the series of Sector Engagement Tables, companies and industry associations, and an annual meeting with AgriScience Cluster recipients.

Start date: April 1, 2018

End date: March 31, 2028 (AgriStability is statutory and ongoing; however, the current policy and program authorities expire on this date.)

Type of transfer payment: Grant and Contribution

Type of appropriation: Statutory authority (Farm Income Protection Act)

Fiscal year for terms and conditions: 2022–23 (Terms and conditions amended)

Link to departmental result(s): The agricultural sector is financially resilient

Link to the department's Program Inventory: AgriStability

Purpose and objectives of transfer payment program

AgriStability is intended to help Canadian producers to manage financial risks that threaten the viability of their farm by helping them protect their farm operations against large declines in farm income. Under the program, governments provide assistance when a producer's margin falls below 70% of their historical reference margin. Generally, producers who derive income from the primary production of agricultural commodities are eligible to participate in the program.

Expected results

• Individualized whole-farm protection from large income declines is offered to producers
• Producers' incomes are protected from severe income declines

Performance indicators

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

Fiscal year of last completed evaluation: 2022–23

Decision following the results of last evaluation: Continuation

Fiscal year of next planned evaluation: 2026–27

General targeted recipient groups

Individuals, cooperatives, corporations, communal organizations, trusts, and other entities that undertake farming activities in Canada.

Initiatives to engage applicants and recipients

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, a 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.

Start date: May 28, 2009

End date: Ongoing

Type of transfer payment: Contribution

Type of appropriation: Voted appropriation annually through Estimates

Fiscal year for terms and conditions: 2022–23 (Terms and conditions amended)

Link to departmental result(s): The Canadian agriculture and agri-food sector is effective in transforming ideas into new products, processes or practices

Link to the department's Program Inventory: Canadian Agricultural Strategic Priorities Program

Purpose and objectives of transfer payment program

The Canadian Agricultural Strategic Priorities Program supports the agricultural sector to adapt to new and emerging issues, opportunities, and challenges in order to remain competitive. The program funds national or sector-wide projects to develop a new idea, product, niche, or market opportunity, or respond to new and emerging issues.

Expected result

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

Performance indicator

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

Fiscal year of last completed evaluation: 2023–24

Decision following the results of last evaluation: Continuation

Fiscal year of next planned evaluation: 2028–29

General targeted recipient groups

Not-for-profit organizations and associations, including cooperatives, marketing boards, and Indigenous groups.

Initiatives to engage applicants and recipients

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

Start date: August 16, 2019

End date: March 31, 2029

Type of transfer payment: Grant

Type of appropriation: Statutory authority (Farm Income Protection Act)

Fiscal year for terms and conditions: 2023–24 (Terms and conditions amended)

Link to departmental result(s): The Canadian agriculture and agri-food sector contributes to growing the economy

Link to the department's Program Inventory: Supply Management Initiatives

Purpose and objectives of transfer payment program

The Dairy Direct Payment Program will support dairy producers as a result of market access commitments made under recent international trade agreements.

Expected result

• The Dairy Direct Payment Program will help dairy producers adapt to the CETA, CPTPP, and CUSMA market conditions by replacing foregone income, increasing producer confidence in the future of the supply management system, and providing producers with the opportunity to make investments in their operations.

Performance indicators

• Supply-managed dairy producers have financial flexibility to adjust to the impact of recent trade agreements
• Supply-managed dairy producers experience stability in net income
• Supply-managed dairy producers are financially resilient

Fiscal year of last completed evaluation: Not applicable — new program

Decision following the results of last evaluation: Not applicable

Fiscal year of next planned evaluation: 2027–28

General targeted recipient groups

Canadian licensed cow's milk producers registered with a provincial milk marketing board and holding a valid dairy license stating their production quota.

Initiatives to engage applicants and recipients

Consultations will continue with national stakeholders and milk marketing boards, and payments will be delivered by the Canadian Dairy Commission.

Start date: June 15, 2023

End date: March 31, 2033

Type of transfer payment: Contribution

Type of appropriation: Statutory authority (Farm Income Protection Act)

Fiscal year for terms and conditions: 2023–24 (Terms and conditions approved)

Link to departmental result(s): The Canadian agriculture and agri-food sector contributes to growing the economy

Link to the department's Program Inventory: Supply Management Initiatives

Purpose and objectives of transfer payment program

The program will help support the dairy sector modernize, replace and increase Solid Non-Fats processing capacity and minimize non marketed skim milk.

Expected result

• Canadian dairy processors increase processing capacity to reduce the structural surplus of Solid Non-Fats

Performance indicator

• Number of investments initiated by dairy processors with support from the Dairy Investment Fund to increase processing capacity or value-added use of Solid non-fats

Fiscal year of last completed evaluation: Not applicable — new program

Decision following the results of last evaluation: Not applicable

Fiscal year of next planned evaluation: To be added at next revision of evaluation plan.

General targeted recipient groups

Dairy Processors

Initiatives to engage applicants and recipients

Delivered by the Canadian Dairy Commission, communication efforts will include email and web presence, videoconferences, teleconferences, other outreach and project assessment and monitoring.

Start date: June 18, 2009

End date: Ongoing

Type of transfer payment: Contribution

Type of appropriation: Statutory authority (Canadian Agricultural Loans Act)

Fiscal year for terms and conditions: Not applicable

Link to departmental result(s): The agricultural sector is financially resilient

Link to the department's Program Inventory: Loan Guarantee Programs

Purpose and objectives of transfer payment program

The Canadian Agricultural Loans Act Program guarantees the repayment of loans made to producers and agricultural cooperatives by financial institutions. Producers use these loans to establish, improve, and develop their farms, while agricultural co-operatives use loans to process, distribute, or market agricultural products.

Expected result

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

Performance indicators

• Dollar value of registered loans awarded to established and beginning farmers by lending institutions during the fiscal year
• Number of loans made to established and beginning farmers during the fiscal year
• Defaulted loans as a percentage of the value of total loans at the end of the fiscal year
• Percentage of loans received and registered from lenders within 15 business days

Fiscal year of last completed evaluation: 2023–24

Decision following the results of last evaluation: Continuation

Fiscal year of next planned evaluation: 2027–28

General targeted recipient groups

Farmers, beginning farmers, and agricultural co-operatives.

Initiatives to engage applicants and recipients

The primary delivery channel for the Canadian Agricultural Loans Act Program is through financial institutions, such as credit unions and banks, and the marketing efforts are primarily focused on financial institutions (lenders) and secondly on producers. In 2024–25, AAFC will support these efforts in a variety of ways to encourage awareness and uptake, including: targeting producers directly through online articles in digital farm news, social media on AAFC organic channels, the AAFC tools campaign, and through the AAFC program website.

AAFC will participate in two or three relevant lending forums or annual general meetings to market the program directly to existing and new potential lending partners, to network, to establish and maintain relationships with key lending organizations, and to communicate the benefits of the program to producers. In addition, to a digital direct mail campaign to lending institutions promoting CALA, AAFC will offer virtual training sessions to both participating and new lending institution staff semi-annually and on an ad-hoc basis.

In 2021, the Department tabled the Review of the Canadian Agricultural Loans Act (PDF) in Parliament. The Report analyzed CALA's current program parameters, reviewed its relevance and overall efficiency, as well as identified the barriers to accessing capital for underrepresented groups, including Indigenous, beginner/young, and women farmers. In 2024–25, AAFC will consult stakeholders to address the Report's recommendations by exploring possible amendments to the program's Regulations to increase its general uptake as well as uptake within the Report's underrepresented groups.

Start date: April 1, 2021

End date: March 31, 2031

Type of transfer payment: Contribution

Type of appropriation: Voted appropriation annually through Estimates

Fiscal year for terms and conditions: 2021–22 (Terms and conditions approved)

Link to departmental result(s): The Canadian agriculture and agri-food sector contributes to growing the economy

Link to the department's Program Inventory: Supply Management Initiatives

Purpose and objectives of transfer payment program

The Market Development Program for Turkey and Chicken aims to deliver on the Government of Canada's commitment to provide full and fair compensation to supply-managed sectors for market access concessions made under the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership.

Expected result

• The Market Development Program for Turkey and Chicken program will help increase domestic demand and consumption of Canadian turkey and chicken products through industry-led promotional activities that differentiate Canadian products and producers, and leverage Canada's reputation for high quality and safe food.

Performance indicators

• Evidence of increased market development activities, including promotional campaigns; market research; trade shows; and other recognized market activities
• Evidence of increased completed market development activities, including promotional campaigns; market research; trade shows; and other recognized market activities
• Average percentage change in domestic sales over the life of the Program as reported by recipients

Fiscal year of last completed evaluation: Not applicable — new program

Decision following the results of last evaluation: Not applicable

Fiscal year of next planned evaluation: 2025–26

General targeted recipient groups

National not-for-profit industry organizations: Turkey Farmers of Canada, and Chicken Farmers of Canada.

Initiatives to engage applicants and recipients

Stakeholders are engaged as part of the Government of Canada's national consultations for each of the different Supply Management Initiative Programs.

Start date: April 25, 1997

End date: Ongoing

Type of transfer payment: Contribution

Type of appropriation: Statutory authority (Agricultural Marketing Programs Act)

Fiscal year for terms and conditions: Not applicable

Link to departmental result(s): The agricultural sector is financially resilient

Link to the department's Program Inventory: Loan Guarantee Programs

Purpose and objectives of transfer payment 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 expected value of their agricultural products. This enables producers to meet their financial obligations and provide increased marketing opportunities by allowing them to sell agricultural products based on the market 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.

Expected results

Advance Payments Program

• Producers will continue to have access to timely, low cost advances to assist with their cash flow needs over the production period and to increase marketing flexibility.

Price Pooling Program

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

Performance indicators

Advance Payments Program

• Number of producers receiving Advance Payments Program advances per production period
• Dollar value of Advance Payments Program advances issued per production period
• Advance Payments Program defaults as a percentage of total Advance Payments Program advances taken per production period
• Percentage of Advance Guarantee Agreements sent to producer organizations within 8 weeks following receipt of a fully documented application

Price Pooling Program

• Guarantee price provided through the Price Pooling Program as a percentage of average market price
• Number of days between delivery of product(s) to pool and producer receiving payment

Fiscal year of last completed evaluation: 2020–21

Decision following the results of last evaluation: Continuation

Fiscal year of next planned evaluation: 2024–25

General targeted recipient groups

Producers of agricultural products as defined under the Agricultural Marketing Programs Act.

Initiatives to engage applicants and recipients

The primary marketing channel for the Advance Payments Program is through the 27 producer organizations that administer the program directly to producers. AAFC supports these efforts in a variety of ways to encourage awareness and program uptake, including: social media campaigns; online articles in digital farm news; direct digital mailouts, participation in AAFC program marketing campaigns, and on AAFC's program websites.

Each year, AAFC officials hold meetings with Advance Payment Program administrators, and may also attend selected industry trade shows and annual general meetings to promote the program and gather feedback on program uptake and performance, to ensure producers continue to benefit from the program.

In addition, in 2024–25, AAFC will consult with stakeholders (administrators, lenders, producers, and marketing agencies) as needed, as the Department moves forward to assess and implement the suggested improvements stemming from a 2023 review of Agricultural Marketing Program Act programs, including where legislative and regulatory amendments are necessary.

Start date: April 1, 2021

End date: March 31, 2031

Type of transfer payment: Contribution

Type of appropriation: Voted appropriation annually through Estimates

Fiscal year for terms and conditions: 2021–22 (Terms and conditions amended)

Link to departmental result(s): The Canadian agriculture and agri-food sector contributes to growing the economy

Link to the department's Program Inventory: Supply Management Initiatives

Purpose and objectives of transfer payment program

The Poultry and Egg On-Farm Investment Program aims to help supply-managed poultry and egg producers adapt to market changes resulting from the implementation of the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP), and the Canada-United-States-Mexico Agreement (CUSMA).

Expected result

• Support is provided for on-farm investments that increase efficiency or productivity; improve on-farm food safety and biosecurity; improve environmental sustainability; and respond to consumer preferences.

Performance indicators

• Number of investments made in new production equipment, by objective type, that increase efficiency or productivity, improve on-farm food safety / biosecurity, improve environmental sustainability, and respond to consumer preferences (for example, improve animal welfare, alternative housing systems, meet organic standards)
• Percentage change in net operating income per poultry and egg farm
• Percentage of financially healthy poultry and egg farms

Fiscal year of last completed evaluation: Not applicable — new program

Decision following the results of last evaluation: Not applicable

Fiscal year of next planned evaluation: 2025–26

General targeted recipient groups

Canadian poultry and egg producers that are actively engaged in farming, have held quota/shares of provincial production on January 1, 2021, and are one of the following producer types: a poultry and/or egg producer licensed, or equivalent, by a provincial marketing agency; an Atlantic Canada Hatching Egg Producer; or a poultry and/or egg producer under a new entrant program with loaned quota and/or whole-farm leases with loaned quota at the time of the calculation.

Initiatives to engage applicants and recipients

Program officials will continue to work with stakeholder organizations to discuss program parameters, and ensure that the program is meeting its objectives.

Start date: April 1, 2018

End date: March 31, 2028

Type of transfer payment: Contribution

Type of appropriation: Voted appropriation annually through Estimates

Fiscal year for terms and conditions: 2022–23 (Terms and conditions amended)

Link to departmental result(s)

• 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

Link to the department's Program Inventory:

• 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

Purpose and objectives of transfer payment program

There are five priority areas under the Sustainable Canadian Agricultural Partnership Federal, Provincial and Territorial Cost-shared envelope:

1. Federal, Provincial and Territorial Cost-shared Climate Change and Environment

• Transfer payments are provided to the provinces and territories for programming to develop, assess and adopt clean technologies that address agri-environmental issues; adoption of beneficial management practices; develop, update, implement and promote targeted climate change and environmental strategies, risk assessments.

2. Federal, Provincial and Territorial Cost-shared Science, Research and Innovation

• Transfer payments are provided to the provinces and territories for programming to support basic and applied research that is aligned with the provincial and territorial needs of the sector; support knowledge and technology transfer activities; support research and associated activities that relate to climate change adaptation, GHG emissions reduction.

3. Federal, Provincial and Territorial Cost-shared Market Development and Trade

• Transfer payments are provided to the provinces and territories for programming to support the development, implementation and evaluation of business plans to take on new or expanded market opportunities; analyse new and emerging market trends and changes critical to the sector.

4. Federal, Provincial and Territorial Cost-Shared Building Sector Capacity, Growth and Competitiveness

• Transfer payments are provided to the provinces and territories for programming to assist producers and processors to obtain tools and skills that optimize production and improve profitability, including through the adoption of improved products, practices, processes or systems that add value and/or credibility; support for efficiency improvements, reducing and recovering food and other wastes, and growing the bio economy; support for industry-led initiatives to address labour shortages, including support for labour attraction and retention, and labour-saving technologies such as automation.

5. Federal, Provincial and Territorial Cost-Shared Resiliency and Public Trust

• Transfer payments are provided to the provinces and territories to develop and implement strategies to effectively plan for, prevent, and mitigate production risks and potential disruptions in the supply chain; support the development, implementation and continuous improvement of pan-Canadian on-farm and post-farm food safety, biosecurity and traceability systems.

Expected results

Under Sustainable CAP, the Federal, Provincial and Territorial Cost-Shared Programs will reflect a sustainable development approach, which encourages deliberate consideration of impacts on the environment, economy and society and their interconnections within all activities. The activities under the five priority areas will contribute to the three ultimate outcomes:

Environmental

• Improved sector environmental performance, adaptation to climate change, and reduction of GHG emissions

Economic

• Increased sector capacity and growth across the entire agri-food value chain

Social

• Enhanced sector resiliency, diversity, equity, inclusion and public trust

Targets

Environmental

• Contributing to reducing national GHG emissions by 3 Mt to 5 Mt throughout this framework agreement by 2028

Economic

• Contributing to: $250 billion in sector revenues by 2028, (an increase from approximately $230 billion from 2023); and, $95 billion in sector export revenues by 2028, (an increase from approximately $85 billion from 2023)

Social

• Contributing to an additional 2% to 3% increase in the proportion of funded ultimate recipients who are women, youth and/or Indigenous Peoples, compared to total funded ultimate recipients

Fiscal year of last completed evaluation: 2023–24

Decision following the results of last evaluation: Continuation

Fiscal year of next planned evaluation: 2025–26

General targeted recipient groups

• Individuals
• For-profit and not-for-profit companies
• Trusts
• Marketing boards
• For-profit and not-for-profit organizations
• Academic institutions such as universities and colleges
• Provincial, territorial and municipal governments, including their institutions, agencies and corporations
• Indigenous (First Nation, Inuit, Métis) person or organization (may include government, community, association, not-for-profit and for-profit)
• Crown Corporations

Initiatives to engage applicants and recipients

Federal, Provincial and Territorial Cost-shared programs are planned and delivered by provincial and territorial governments. As such, initiatives to engage applicants and recipients are determined by the provincial or territorial governments.

Start date: November 25, 2021

End date: March 31, 2028

Type of transfer payment: Contribution

Type of appropriation: Voted appropriation annually through Estimates

Fiscal year for terms and conditions: 2021–22 (Terms and conditions approved)

Link to departmental result(s): The Canadian agriculture and agri-food sector contributes to growing the economy

Link to the department's Program Inventory: Supply Management Initiatives

Purpose and objectives of transfer payment program

The Supply Management Processing Investment Fund assists dairy, poultry and egg processors adapt to market changes from recent trade agreements (for example, the Canada-European Union Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement and the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership) by providing contributions to increase productivity and efficiency, through modernization and automation

Expected result

• Processors' productivity is increased

Performance indicator

• Percentage increase in volume of raw inputs used in production

Fiscal year of last completed evaluation: Not applicable — new program

Decision following the results of last evaluation: Not applicable

Fiscal year of next planned evaluation: 2025–26

General targeted recipient groups

For-profit organizations

Initiatives to engage applicants and recipients

Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada communication efforts will include email and web presence, videoconferences, teleconferences, other outreach and project assessment and monitoring.

Start date: February 6, 1997

End date: Ongoing

Type of transfer payment: Contribution

Type of appropriation: Voted appropriation annually through Estimates

Fiscal year for terms and conditions: 2022–23 (Terms and conditions amended)

Link to departmental result(s): The Canadian agriculture and agri-food sector contributes to growing the economy

Link to the department's Program Inventory: Sector Engagement and Development

Purpose and objectives of transfer payment program

The Youth Employment and Skills Program provides a wage subsidy to farmers, food processors and agricultural related non-governmental organizations that provide career-related work experiences to youth in the agriculture sector.

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

Performance indicators

• Number of youth served
• Percentage of youth served facing barriers to employment
  • Indigenous Youth
  • Visible Minority Youth
  • Youth with a Disability
  • Youth Living in Rural and Remote Areas
• Percentage of youth employed/ self-employed
• Percentage of youth returned to school

Fiscal year of last completed evaluation: 2019–20 (led by Employment and Social Development Canada)

Decision following the results of last evaluation: Continuation

Fiscal year of next planned evaluation: 2024–25 (horizontal led by Employment and Social Development Canada)

General targeted recipient groups

Employers in an agricultural-related organization who can offer opportunities that will give youth, particularly youth facing barriers, agriculture career-related work experiences and skills in Canada.

Initiatives to engage applicants and recipients

Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada is one of 11 partner departments under the Youth Employment and Skills Strategy, led by Employment and Social Development Canada. Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada worked closely with the lead and other partner departments on the renewal of the Strategy, including through consultations with stakeholders and participants.

Start date: November 4, 2022

End date: March 31, 2025

Type of transfer payment: Contribution

Type of appropriation: Voted appropriation annually through Estimates

Fiscal year for terms and conditions: 2023–24 (Terms and conditions amended)

Link to departmental result(s): The agriculture and agri-food sector is equipped with assurance systems and supporting tools.

Link to the department's Program Inventory: African Swine Fever Response

Purpose and objectives of transfer payment program

The program objective is to enhance capacity in preventing African Swine Fever from entering Canada, address identified gaps in industry preparedness, and develop the tools, partnerships, and activities required to ensure the early detection of African Swine Fever and an effective emergency response in case of an outbreak. The Program will provide non-repayable contributions to eligible recipients through two components: The Welfare Slaughter and Disposal stream; and the Prevention and Preparedness stream.

Expected results

Welfare Slaughter and Disposal stream

• Increase sector readiness for an African Swine Fever outbreak
• Sector, including processors from underrepresented and marginalized groups, is prepared to mitigate the impacts of an African Swine Fever outbreak

Prevention and Preparedness stream

• Increase sector knowledge of the tools and strategies necessary to mitigate the impacts of an African Swine Fever outbreak
• Sector implements the tools and strategies necessary to mitigate the impacts of an African Swine Fever outbreak, including for members from underrepresented and marginalized groups

Ultimate for both streams

• In conjunction with the other African Swine Fever response programming, the Canadian hog herd is ready to be downsized to reflect the new production and marketing reality created by African Swine Fever
• Resiliency of the Canadian hog sector is increased

Performance indicators

Welfare Slaughter and Disposal stream

• Percentage of processing plants that apply and are approved to the Program for retrofit projects
• Percentage increase of processing facilities with improved welfare slaughter and disposal capacity
• Percentage increase of processing facilities with improved welfare slaughter and disposal capacity by province and underrepresented and marginalized groups' ownership (GBA Plus)
• Percentage increase in processing capacity specific to dealing with surplus hogs through retrofit support
• Number of disposal sites created or retrofitted

Prevention and Preparedness stream

• Number of preparedness actions taken (for example, tools and strategies developed) to adapt to changing circumstances and respond to urgent or critical issues
• Percentage of the preparedness actions that were implemented
• Percentage of preparedness actions that were implemented and expected to benefit underrepresented and marginalized groups by province (GBA Plus)

Ultimate for both streams

• National hog production levels 6 months after an outbreak
• Average hog farm debt ratio in Canada (total farm liabilities/total farm assets)

Fiscal year of last completed evaluation: Not applicable

Decision following the results of last evaluation: Not applicable

Fiscal year of next planned evaluation: Not currently on Audit and Evaluation Plan

General targeted recipient groups

Eligible recipients for both streams, unless otherwise stated:

• For-profit organizations (only under the Welfare Slaughter and Disposal stream)
• Not-for-profit organizations
• Academia
• Indigenous groups
• Other levels of government

Initiatives to engage applicants and recipients

AAFC has been working with industry stakeholders to identify priorities in industry-led African Swine Fever prevention and preparedness activities. Throughout delivery of the program, AAFC will maintain an open dialogue with recipients and will adjust program design and delivery as needed to reflect their continuous feedback.

AAFC communication efforts will be making use of a wide range of communications tools and activities, including a Ministerial event. Communications efforts will be sustained over the course of the funding period and will make use of digital platforms to highlight progress and success stories. Program recipients will also be engaged through email, web presence, videoconferences, teleconferences and other outreach, and project assessment and monitoring.

Start date: April 1, 2018

End date: March 31, 2028

Type of transfer payment: Contribution

Type of appropriation: Voted appropriation annually through Estimates

Fscal year for terms and conditions: 2022–23 (Terms and conditions amended)

Link to departmental result(s): The Canadian agriculture and agri-food sector contributes to growing the economy

Link to the department's Program Inventory: Sector Engagement and Development

Purpose and objectives of transfer payment program

Competitiveness, and Resiliency and Public Trust, by helping the industry share information with producers.

Expected result

• An agriculture, agri-food and agri-based products sector which has an increased level of entrepreneurial skill, knowledge and awareness of issues, practices, and best practices.

Performance indicators

• Number of participants reached through the capacity building activities supported by the program
• Number of capacity building tools, activities, events, etc. the program supported
• Sector export revenue
• Sector revenue

Fiscal year of last completed evaluation: Not applicable

Decision following the results of last evaluation: Not applicable

Fiscal year of next planned evaluation: Not currently on Audit and Evaluation Plan

General targeted recipient groups

National industry associations, national agricultural fairs, underrepresented groups such as Indigenous-led and women-owned organizations.

Initiatives to engage applicants and recipients

Stakeholders were engaged as part of the Government's national consultations on the Sustainable Canadian Agricultural Partnership.

Start date: April 1, 2018

End date: March 31, 2028

Type of transfer payment: Contribution

Type of appropriation: Voted appropriation annually through Estimates

Fiscal year for terms and conditions: 2022–23 (Terms and conditions amended)

Link to departmental result(s): The Canadian agriculture and agri-food sector contributes to growing the economy.

Link to the department's Program Inventory: Sector Engagement and Development

Purpose and objectives of transfer payment program

The AgriDiversity Program supports Indigenous Peoples and other underrepresented and marginalized groups in Canadian agriculture to build entrepreneurial capacity and develop leadership and business skills. It also aims to facilitate the sharing of best practices and knowledge, promote greater diversity within and strengthen the sector.

Expected result

• The AgriDiversity Program will build capacity in and strengthen the Canadian agriculture and agri-food sector by helping Indigenous Peoples and other underrepresented and marginalized groups address the key issues and barriers they often face for sector participation.

Performance indicators

• Number of participants reached through the capacity building activities supported by the AgriDiversity Program (for example, number of attendees to management seminars, or students participating in classroom activities)
• Increase the number of AgriDiversity training projects aimed at increasing capacity and business skills for Indigenous Peoples and other underrepresented and marginalized groups, disaggregated by province and territory (GBA Plus)
• Percentage increase in the number of people reached/engaged by AgriDiversity projects aimed at increasing capacity and business skills

Fiscal year of last completed evaluation: Not applicable

Decision following the results of last evaluation: Not applicable

Fiscal year of next planned evaluation: Not currently on Audit and Evaluation Plan

General targeted recipient groups

Indigenous not-for-profit organizations, not-for-profit organizations such as associations or Official Language Minority Communities, and academia.

Initiatives to engage applicants and recipients

Stakeholders were engaged as part of the Government's national consultations on the Sustainable Canadian Agricultural Partnership.

Start date: Not applicable

End date: Ongoing

Type of transfer payment: Grant

Type of appropriation: Statutory authority (Farm Products Agencies Act)

Fiscal year for terms and conditions: Not applicable

Link to departmental result(s): The Canadian agriculture and agri-food sector contributes to growing the economy.

Link to the department's Program Inventory: Farm Products Council of Canada

Purpose and objectives of transfer payment program

The objective is to establish the Farm Products Agencies Act — Part II national marketing agencies with powers relating to any farm product or farm products where it is satisfied that majorities are in favour of the establishment of an agency. An agency shall conduct its operations on a self-sustaining financial basis. Grants to an agency, not exceeding in the aggregate one hundred thousand dollars, can be made to enable the agency to meet initial operating and establishment expenses.

Expected result

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

Performance indicator

• 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

Fiscal year of last completed evaluation: Not applicable

Decision following the results of last evaluation: Not applicable

Fiscal year of next planned evaluation: Not currently on Audit and Evaluation Plan

General targeted recipient groups

Body corporates — Agencies requesting funds related to this provision are considered body corporates as per s.16 (3) of the Farm Products Agencies Act.

Initiatives to engage applicants and recipients

Not applicable

Start date: April 1, 2018

End date: Ongoing

Type of transfer payment: Grant

Type of appropriation: Voted appropriation annually through Estimates

Fiscal year for terms and conditions: 2022–23 (Terms and conditions amended)

Link to departmental result(s): The Canadian agriculture and agri-food sector is effective in transforming ideas into new products, processes or practices.

Link to the department's Program Inventory: Foundational Science and Research

Purpose and objectives of transfer payment program

Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada is a contributor (with 20 other federal organizations) to Innovative Solutions Canada, which is a $100 million innovation hybrid procurement program designed to support partnerships between government departments and agencies, and Canadian innovators in the development of early stage, pre-commercial innovation with the ultimate goal of promoting the growth of Canada's small businesses.

Expected result

• Challenges are issued to develop technology-based solutions for the agriculture sector

Performance indicator

• Number of grants issued per challenge

Fiscal year of last completed evaluation: Not applicable

Decision following the results of last evaluation: Not applicable

Fiscal year of next planned evaluation: Not currently on Audit and Evaluation Plan

General targeted recipient groups

Canadian small- and medium-sized enterprises that will deliver some innovative solutions for the agriculture and agri-food sector

Initiatives to engage applicants and recipients

The Innovate Solutions Canada Secretariat, within Innovation Science and Economic Development, is responsible for engagement activities related to program awareness and media outreach. Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada engages with applicants after projects have been approved.

Start date: October 21, 2010

End date: Ongoing

Type of transfer payment: Grant

Type of appropriation: Voted appropriation annually through Estimates

Fiscal year for terms and conditions: 2022–23 (Terms and conditions amended)

Link to departmental result(s)

• 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

Link to the department's Program Inventory:

• Trade and Market Expansion
• Foundational Science and Research

Purpose and objectives of transfer payment program

The objective is to provide development opportunities, enhance international cooperation, and facilitate exchange of ideas and information among international participants; find solutions to common problems; and influence policy development of other participating countries in agriculture, agri-food, agri-based products and the agri-environment sectors.

Expected results

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

Performance indicator

• Number of international projects

Fiscal year of last completed evaluation

• 2016–17 Portion under Foundational Science and Research
• 2021–22 Evaluations on Trade and Market Expansion (Market Development and Trade Commissioner Service)
• 2022–23 AgriMarketing (March 2023)

Decision following the results of last evaluation: Continuation

Fiscal year of next planned evaluation

• 2026–27 Trade and Market Expansion (Market Development and Trade Commissioner Service)
• 2026–27 Trade and Market Expansion (AgriMarketing)

General targeted recipient groups

International organizations

Initiatives to engage applicants and recipients

Stakeholders are engaged regularly through emails, videoconferences, teleconferences and other outreach by Departmental representatives.

Start date: April 1, 2023

End date: March 31, 2028

Type of transfer payment: Contribution

Type of appropriation: Statutory authority (Farm Income Protection Act)

Fiscal year for terms and conditions: 2022–23 (Terms and conditions approved)

Link to departmental result(s): The agricultural sector is financially resilient

Link to the department's Program Inventory: Livestock Price Insurance Program

Purpose and objectives of transfer payment program

The Livestock Price Insurance (LPI) Program is a revenue insurance program under the FIPA. LPI is available to cattle and hog producers in British Columbia, Alberta, Saskatchewan, and Manitoba. LPI allows cattle and hog producers to purchase insurance coverage against unanticipated declines in cattle and hog prices over a defined period of time. Producers pay the entirety of the actuarially-sound insurance premium.

The objective of LPI is to provide Canadian cattle and hog producers with an additional risk management tool that complements the BRM suite to help them more effectively manage the downside market price risk that can threaten a farm's viability.

Expected results

• Financial impacts of reduced market prices are mitigated by consistently offering insurance products for price coverage;
• Participation in LPI supports its long-term sustainability; and
• The program is actuarially sound in the long-run.

LPI has an evergreen performance measurement strategy.

Fiscal year of last completed evaluation: Not applicable — new program

Decision following the results of last evaluation: Not applicable

Fiscal year of next planned evaluation: Not currently on Audit and Evaluation Plan

General targeted recipient groups

British Columbia, Alberta, Saskatchewan, and Manitoba are the Initial Recipients for federal contributions under LPI. Initial Recipients must be legal entities and capable of entering into legally binding contracts to receive LPI contributions. LPI is a provincially-administered program.

The Ultimate Recipients of LPI are cattle and hog producers in the participating provinces who choose to enter into a LPI contract of insurance.

AAFC's role is to cost-share the administration costs with the provinces, and to provide deficit financing loans for instances where indemnities exceed the total premiums collected. Producers pay the entirety of the actuarially-sound insurance premiums.

Initiatives to engage applicants and recipients

The program is provincially-administered and each individual province offers its own producer services for insurance policy sales and client interaction.