Details on transfer payment programs of $5 million or more
Atlantic Innovation Fund – Voted
Start date: May 10, 2001
End date: Ongoing
Type of transfer payment: Contribution
Type of appropriation: Appropriated annually through Estimates
Fiscal year for terms and conditions: 2009-10
Link to department’s program inventory: Enterprise Development (Innovation and Commercialization)
Description: The Atlantic Innovation Fund (AIF) makes strategic investments in research and development (R&D) initiatives in the area of natural and applied sciences, as well as in social sciences, humanities, and arts and culture. Projects are expected to result in the successful adaptation or development as well as commercialization of technology-based products, processes or services.
Contributions to not-for-profit organizations are non-repayable. Contributions to for-profit businesses to fund R&D projects that involve the commercialization of a product, process, technology or service are repayable, either conditionally or unconditionally.
Expected results:
- Increase activity in and build capacity for innovation and R&D, which leads to technologies, products, processes or services that contribute to economic growth in Atlantic Canada (measured by indicators such as the dollar amount invested in R&D projects under this fund).
- Increase the capacity for commercialization of R&D outputs (measured by indicators such as the dollar amount invested in commercialization projects and revenues resulting from commercialization).
- Strengthen the region’s innovation capacity by supporting research, development and commercialization collaboration, as well as alliances among private-sector firms, universities, research institutions and other organizations in the Atlantic system of innovation, and by increasing their critical mass (measured by indicators such as the number of key collaborations created for technology development and commercialization).
- Maximize benefits from national R&D programs (measured by calculating funds invested in AIF projects by other national programs).
Fiscal year of the last completed evaluation: 2014-15
Decision following the results of the last evaluation: Continuation
Fiscal year of planned completion of the next evaluation: Evaluation of the Innovation and Commercialization Sub-program 2019-20
General targeted recipient groups:
- industry-related groups (e.g. for-profit businesses, airport authorities, specific industry sectors)
- non-profit organizations (e.g. foundations, NGOs, universities, research institutions, health-related entities).
Initiatives to engage applicants and recipients: It is part of the AIF process to engage potential applicants via information sessions outlining the AIF program requirements and addressing frequently asked questions. ACOA engages proponents and recipients on a regular basis, either one-on-one or via industry associations. The communication strategy also includes the use of social media to inform and engage applicants and recipients.
(dollars)
| 2016-17 Forecast Spending | 2017-18 Planned Spending | 2018-19 Planned Spending | 2019-20 Planned Spending | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Total grants | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | ||
| Total contributions | 37,199,400 | 44,900,000 | 40,000,000 | 40,000,000 | ||
| Total other types of transfer payments | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | ||
| Total transfer payments | 37,199,400 | 44,900,000 | 40,000,000 | 40,000,000 | ||
Business Development Program – Voted
Start date: July 25, 1995
End date: Ongoing
Type of transfer payment: Grant and contribution
Type of appropriation: Appropriated annually through Estimates
Fiscal year for terms and conditions: 2010-11
Link to department’s program inventory: Enterprise Development (Innovation and Commercialization, Productivity and Growth, International Business Development), Community Development (Community Investment, Community-based Business Development), Policy, Advocacy and Coordination, (Policy)
Description: Through the Business Development Program (BDP), ACOA works to create opportunities for economic growth in Atlantic Canada by helping small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) become more competitive, innovative and productive. The Agency also works with communities to develop and diversify local economies; and it champions the strengths of the region in partnership with Atlantic Canadians.
The objectives of the BDP are to:
- improve the growth and competitiveness of Atlantic SMEs;
- provide for dynamic and sustainable communities in Atlantic Canada; and
- provide for initiatives that strengthen the Atlantic economy.
In general, contributions to for-profit businesses are repayable, either conditionally or unconditionally. Under some of the BDP’s elements, non-repayable contributions to for-profit businesses may be permitted.
Contributions to not-for-profit organizations are generally non-repayable but are conditionally repayable if a project results in what would normally be considered a commercial activity.
Expected results: Key expected results under the three programs of ACOA’s program alignment architecture (PAA) are outlined below.
Enterprise Development – improve growth and competitiveness of Atlantic SMEs through:
- strengthened innovation and commercialization capacity in Atlantic Canada (measured by indicators such as the amount leveraged per dollar invested by ACOA in innovation projects);
- enhanced productivity and growth capacity of Atlantic Canadian SMEs (measured by indicators such as the growth in sales of ACOA-assisted firms compared to unassisted firms);
- expanded export activity by SMEs in Atlantic Canada (measured by indicators such as the percentage of SMEs that expanded their international sales within 12 months of participating in an international business development activity); and
- new foreign direct investment opportunities in Atlantic Canada (measured by the number of foreign direct investment transactions completed where ACOA’s support contributed to bringing the project to fruition).
Community Development – provide for dynamic and sustainable communities in Atlantic Canada with increased economic and business activity through:
- improved community capacity, including that of official language minority communities, to respond to economic and business development opportunities and challenges (measured by indicators such as the amount leveraged per dollar invested by ACOA in community investment projects); and
- strengthened and expanded businesses (measured by indicators such as the growth in sales and employment growth of CBDC-assisted firms compared to unassisted firms).
Policy, Advocacy and Coordination – provide for policies and programs that strengthen the Atlantic economy through:
- well-informed policy decisions reflecting opportunities and challenges of the Atlantic region’s economy, while considering enterprise and community development potential (measured by indicators such as the extent to which policy analysis and research, economic analysis and engagement activities are useful and provide input into decision making with respect to Atlantic Canadian regional economic development).
Fiscal year of the last completed evaluation: ACOA evaluations are conducted by PAA program (rather than by transfer payment program). Collectively, the evaluations listed below represent 100% coverage of the BDP.
- Evaluation of the Community Mobilization and Community Investment sub-programs, 2013-14
- Evaluation of the Community-based Business Development sub-program, 2014-15
- Evaluation of the Innovation and Commercialization sub-program, 2014-15
- Evaluation of the International Business Development sub-program, 2015-16
- Evaluation of the Productivity and Growth sub-program, 2015-16
- Evaluation of the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency’s tourism programming, 2016-17
Decision following the results of the last evaluation: Continuation
Fiscal year of planned completion of the next evaluation:
- Evaluation of the Community Investment sub-programs, 2018-19
- Evaluation of the Community-based Business Development sub-program, 2019-20
- Evaluation of the Innovation and Commercialization sub-program, 2019-20
- Evaluation of the International Business Development sub-program, 2020-21
- Evaluation of the Productivity and Growth sub-program, 2020-21
General targeted recipient groups:
- industry-related groups (e.g. for-profit businesses, specific industry sectors)
- non-profit organizations (e.g. universities and research institutions, health-related entities)
- municipalities and local organizations (e.g. economic development associations)
- Crown corporations
- First Nations communities
- other Indigenous recipients and organizations
Initiatives to engage applicants and recipients: ACOA’s transfer payment programs (including the BDP) are designed, delivered and managed in such a way that they remain citizen and client-focused, are relevant to the applicants’ and recipients’ needs, and achieve the expected results for which they are designed. Engaging key stakeholders in discussions for the creation or review of ACOA’s programming is part of the Agency’s operations. To ensure the ongoing relevance of programming, the Agency solicits feedback from clients and stakeholders on an ongoing basis, either through information sharing or consultations and collaborations.
Additionally, BDP information is continuously shared with applicants and recipients through ACOA’s website and outreach events in communities across Atlantic Canada.
PAA program: Enterprise Development (dollars)
| 2016-17 Forecast Spending | 2017-18 Planned Spending | 2018-19 Planned Spending | 2019-20 Planned Spending | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Total grants | 2,200 | 1,000,000 | 1,000,000 | 1,000,000 |
| Total contributions | 127,408,013 | 99,007,435 | 99,041,228 | 98,161,228 |
| Total other types of transfer payments | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Total for Program | 127,410,213 | 100,007,435 | 100,041,228 | 99,161,228 |
PAA program: Community Development (dollars)
| 2016-17 Forecast Spending | 2017-18 Planned Spending | 2018-19 Planned Spending | 2019-20 Planned Spending | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Total grants | 250,000 | 1,000,000 | 1,000,000 | 1,000,000 |
| Total contributions | 23,812,900 | 27,445,124 | 26,129,503 | 26,129,503 |
| Total other types of transfer payments | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Total for program | 24,062,900 | 28,445,124 | 27,129,503 | 27,129,503 |
PAA program: Policy, Advocacy and Coordination (dollars)
| 2016-17 Forecast Spending | 2017-18 Planned Spending | 2018-19 Planned Spending | 2019-20 Planned Spending | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Total grants | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Total contributions | 3,554,200 | 925,000 | 650,000 | 400,000 |
| Total other types of transfer payments | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Total for program | 3,554,200 | 925,000 | 650,000 | 400,000 |
| Total transfer payments | 155,027,313 | 129,377,559 | 127,820,731 | 126,690,731 |
Community Futures Program – Voted
Start date: May 18, 1995
End date: Ongoing
Type of transfer payment: Contribution
Type of appropriation: Appropriated annually through Estimates
Fiscal year for terms and conditions: 2009-10
Link to department’s program inventory: Community Development (Community-based Business Development)
Description: The program’s purpose is to help communities develop and implement local solutions to local problems. It provides non-repayable contributions to community futures organizations (CFOs), also known in Atlantic Canada as Community Business Development Corporations (CBDCs), and their associations. Community-based governance is at the heart of the Community Futures Program. The CBDCs are legally incorporated, not-for-profit, autonomous organizations managed by local volunteer board members who make decisions that shape these organizations, affect the lives of entrepreneurs, and impact their communities. They provide financial and technical support to SMEs and social enterprises in rural areas. More information on services provided through the CBDCs can be found on ACOA’s website.
Expected results: The ultimate outcomes under the program are:
- economic stability, growth and job creation (measured by employment growth variance within CFO regions);
- diversified and competitive local rural economies (measured through sales by average labour units); and
- economically sustainable communities (measured by the survival rate variance of rural businesses).
Fiscal year of the last completed evaluation: 2014-15
Decision following the results of the last evaluation: Continuation
Fiscal year of planned completion of the next evaluation:
- Evaluation of the Community-based Business Development sub-program, 2019-20
General targeted recipient groups:
- non-profit organizations (authorized by the minister responsible for the Community Futures Program to constitute a community for participation under the program)
- other groups such as special-purpose entities or provincial, regional or national associations of CFOs.
Initiatives to engage applicants and recipients: The Agency will continue to engage with and align its support to the CBDC network as part of the Community Futures of Tomorrow (CFoT) model under a collaborative joint oversight committee. This will maximize all resources available, including the funds provided by the Community Futures Program. With a view to maintaining the long-term viability of the program, the committee acts as a governance body by ensuring that the model’s objectives are being managed collaboratively among individual CBDCs, the Atlantic Association of CBDCs, and ACOA. The Agency will continue to collaborate with the CBDC network and individual organizations to enhance their program delivery capacity and governance practices, where required, and support the network in providing training to community development officers and board members to successfully achieve results.
ACOA will continue to work with the other regional development agencies and the CBDCs to strengthen the integrity, the consistency, and the collection of performance results, and will continue to implement the program’s performance measurement strategy. In collaboration with other federal departments responsible for the management of the program, ACOA will present performance results for 2017-18, and will continue to engage the CBDCs in refining the collection and use of performance information needed by all stakeholders.
(dollars)
| 2016-17 Forecast Spending | 2017-18 Planned Spending | 2018-19 Planned Spending | 2019-20 Planned Spending | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Total grants | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Total contributions | 12,642,100 | 12,642,000 | 12,642,000 | 12,642,000 |
| Total other types of transfer payments | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Total transfer payments | 12,642,100 | 12,642,000 | 12,642,000 | 12,642,000 |
Innovative Communities Fund – Voted
Start date: April 1, 2005
End date: Ongoing
Type of transfer payment: Contribution
Type of appropriation: Appropriated annually through Estimates
Fiscal year for terms and conditions: 2009-10
Link to department’s program inventory: Community Development (Community Investment, Community-based Business Development)
Description: The Innovative Communities Fund (ICF) is designed to make non-repayable contributions to strategic projects that build the economies of Atlantic Canada’s communities. The ICF focuses on investments that lead to long-term employment and economic capacity-building in rural communities. Urban initiatives that stimulate the competitiveness and vitality of rural communities may also be considered on a select basis.
Expected results: The ICF capitalizes on the strengths of Atlantic Canadian communities and provides them with the tools needed to identify opportunities for sustainable economic growth. The overall expected result is to build dynamic and sustainable communities in Atlantic Canada, while focusing on increased economic and business activity. This will be measured by assessing the percentage of community development projects that meet expected results.
Fiscal year of the last completed evaluation: ACOA evaluations are conducted by PAA program (rather than by transfer payment program). Collectively, the evaluations listed below represent 100% coverage of the ICF.
- Evaluation of the Community Mobilization and Community Investment sub-programs, 2013-14
- Evaluation of the Community-based Business Development sub-program, 2014-15
Decision following the results of the last evaluation: Continuation
Fiscal year of planned completion of the next evaluation:
- Evaluation of the Community Investment sub-program, 2018-19
- Evaluation of the Community-based Business Development sub-program, 2019-20
General targeted recipient groups:
- municipalities and local organizations
- Indigenous and francophone communities
- industry-related groups (e.g. industry/sector associations)
- non-profit organizations
Initiatives to engage applicants and recipients: ACOA continues to collaborate proactively with its partners to identify strategic community projects throughout Atlantic Canada. Each ACOA regional office continues to focus on higher-impact investments in rural communities. This is done through an investment strategy document, by collaborating with municipal and provincial governments on priority sectors, and by undertaking policy research to identify the prominent sectors in a region.
(dollars)
| 2016-17 Forecast Spending | 2017-18 Planned Spending | 2018-19 Planned Spending | 2019-20 Planned Spending | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Total grants | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Total contributions | 41,732,300 | 37,177,762 | 37,177,762 | 37,177,762 |
| Total other types of transfer payments | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Total transfer payments | 41,732,300 | 37,177,762 | 37,177,762 | 37,177,762 |
Canada 150 Infrastructure Program – Voted (also known as the Canada 150 Community Infrastructure Program)
Start date: April 1, 2016
End date: March 31, 2018
Type of transfer payment: Contribution
Type of appropriation: Appropriated annually through Estimates
Fiscal year for terms and conditions: 2016-17
Link to department’s program inventory: Community Development (Community Investment)
Description: The Canada 150 Infrastructure Program (CIP 150) is a $300-million cost-shared program aimed at the rehabilitation, renovation and expansion of existing non-commercial community infrastructure such as community centres, recreational buildings, local arenas, cultural facilities, cenotaphs and other community infrastructure facilities in support of ensuring a lasting impact of the 150th anniversary celebrations. All contributions are non-repayable.
Expected results: The CIP 150 is linked to ACOA’s Community Investment Sub-program and is expected to achieve these results:
- foster regional community-based partnerships; and
- contribute to the modernization of existing community infrastructure facilities.
Fiscal year of the last completed evaluation: not applicable
Decision following the results of the last evaluation: not applicable
Fiscal year of planned completion of the next evaluation: Not applicable. Given the nature of the program and the fact that it is a one-time, sun-setting initiative announced in Budget 2015, an evaluation is not a Treasury Board requirement and will therefore not be conducted.
General targeted recipient groups:
- non-profit organizations
- municipalities and local organizations
- Indigenous communities (on the condition that the First Nation has indicated support for the project and for the legally-designated representative to seek funding through a formal band or tribal council resolution, or other documentation from self-governing First Nations)
- a provincial or territorial government department, agency or Crown corporation
- a local or regional government established by [or under] a provincial and territorial statute
- a public-sector body that is wholly owned by an eligible recipient listed in the above point
- economic development associations or local co-operatives
Initiatives to engage applicants and recipients: ACOA collaborates with its partners and engages key stakeholders in discussions regarding community economic development to ensure that the Agency’s investments respond to the economic needs of the communities. The key stakeholders may include other levels of government, community leaders, financial institutions and private-sector organizations. CIP 150 information is also shared with applicants and recipients through the Agency’s website.
(dollars)
| 2016-17 Forecast Spending | 2017-18 Planned Spending | 2018-19 Planned Spending | 2019-20 Planned Spending | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Total grants | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Total contributions | 14,320,400 | 15,398,379 | 0 | 0 |
| Total other types of transfer payments | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Total transfer payments | 14,320,400 | 15,398,379 | 0 | 0 |