2020-21 Departmental Plan
Details on transfer payment programs
Transfer payment programs with total planned spending of $5 million or more
3-year plan for the 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: 2019-20
Link to departmental results: Businesses invest in the development and commercialization of innovative technologies in Atlantic Canada
Link to the department’s Program Inventory: Research and Development, and Commercialization; Innovation Ecosystem
Purpose and objectives of transfer payment program: The Atlantic Innovation Fund makes strategic investments in research and development (R&D) initiatives in the area of natural and applied sciences, as well as social sciences, humanities, and arts and culture. Projects are expected to result in the successful adaptation or development as well as the commercialization of technology-based products, processes or services.
Contributions to non-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.
- Increase capacity for the commercialization of R&D outputs.
- 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.
- Maximize benefits from national R&D programs.
Fiscal year of last completed evaluation: Evaluation of the Innovation and Commercialization Sub-program, 2014-15
Decision following the results of last evaluation: Continuation
Fiscal year of planned completion of next evaluation: Evaluation of ACOA’s Innovation Programming, 2019-20
General targeted recipient groups:
- For-profit organizations; and
- Not-for-profit organizations and charities.
Initiatives to engage applicants and recipients:
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.
Financial information (dollars)
| Type of transfer payment | 2019-20 forecast spending |
2020-21 planned spending |
2021-22 planned spending |
2022-23 planned spending |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Total grants | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Total contributions | 28,197,800 | 40,000,000 | 40,000,000 | 40,000,000 |
| Total other types of transfer payments | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Total program | 28,197,800 | 40,000,000 | 40,000,000 | 40,000,000 |
3-year plan for 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 departmental results: Communities are economically diversified in Atlantic Canada; Businesses invest in the development and commercialization of innovative technologies in Atlantic Canada; and, Businesses are innovative and growing in Atlantic Canada
Link to the department’s Program Inventory: Inclusive Communities; Diversified Communities; Research and Development, and Commercialization; Innovation Ecosystem; Business Growth; Trade and Investment; Policy Research and Engagement
Purpose and objectives of transfer payment program: 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. In addition, the Agency works with communities to develop and diversify local economies. It also champions the strengths of the region, in partnership with Atlantic Canadians.
Budget 2018 introduced a new innovation program for ACOA: the Regional Economic Growth through Innovation (REGI) Program. All new innovation-related projects that were historically funded through the BDP are now funded through the REGI Program, except to implement special initiatives at Cabinet direction, such as the Linguistic Duality Economic Development Initiative.
The objectives of the BDP are to:
- improve the growth and competitiveness of Atlantic Canadian SMEs;
- provide for dynamic and sustainable communities in Atlantic Canada; and
- provide for initiatives that strengthen Atlantic Canada’s 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 allowed.
Contributions to non-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:
Improve the growth and competitiveness of Atlantic Canadian SMEs through the following:
- Strengthened innovation and commercialization capacity in Atlantic Canada
- Enhanced productivity and growth capacity of Atlantic Canadian SMEs
- Expanded export activity by SMEs in Atlantic Canada
- New foreign direct investment opportunities in Atlantic Canada
Provide for dynamic and sustainable communities in Atlantic Canada with increased economic and business activity through the following:
- Improved community capacity, including that of official language minority communities, to respond to economic and business development opportunities and challenges
- Strengthened and expanded businesses
Provide for policies and programs that strengthen Atlantic Canada’s economy. This is done through well-informed policy decisions reflecting opportunities and challenges of the Atlantic region’s economy, while considering enterprise and community development potential.
Fiscal year of last completed evaluation: Collectively, the evaluations listed below represent 100% coverage of the BDP.
- 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
- Evaluation of the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency’s Communities and Inclusive Growth Programming, 2018-19
Decision following the results of last evaluation: Continuation
Fiscal year of planned completion of next evaluation:
- Evaluation of ACOA’s Innovation Programming, 2019-20
- Evaluation of ACOA’s Trade and Business Growth Programming, 2020-21
General targeted recipient groups:
- For-profit organizations;
- Not-for-profit organizations and charities;
- Government; and
- Aboriginal recipients.
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 continued relevance of programming, the Agency solicits feedback from clients and stakeholders on an ongoing basis, through either 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.
Financial information (dollars)
| Type of transfer payment | 2019-20 forecast spending |
2020-21 planned spending |
2021-22 planned spending |
2022-23 planned spending |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Total grants | 492,250 | 1,675,000 | 1,500,000 | 1,500,000 |
| Total contributions | 102,354,005 | 30,378,558 | 29,643,683 | 31,653,683 |
| Total other types of transfer payments | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Total program | 102,846,255 | 32,053,558 | 31,143,683 | 33,153,683 |
3-year plan for the Growth Through Regional Innovation Program (known as Regional Economic Growth through Innovation Program (REGI) – Voted
This includes Women Entrepreneurship Strategy (WES) initiatives in two streams: Pilot Contribution Program (known as the Women Entrepreneurship Fund [WEF]) and WES Ecosystem Fund.
Start date: October 18, 2018
End date: REGI – Ongoing; WEF – March 31, 2021; WES Ecosystem Fund – March 31, 2023
Type of transfer payment: REGI – Grant and Contribution; WES – Contribution
Type of appropriation: Annually through Estimates
Fiscal year for terms and conditions: 2019-20
Link to departmental results: Communities are economically diversified in Atlantic Canada; Businesses invest in the development and commercialization of innovative technologies in Atlantic Canada; and, Businesses are innovative and growing in Atlantic Canada
Link to the department’s Program Inventory: Business Growth; Innovation Ecosystem; Trade and Investment; Inclusive Communities; Research and Development, and Commercialization
Purpose and objectives of transfer payment program: The REGI initiative builds on the objectives of the Innovation and Skills Plan. The goal of the REGI Program is to provide streamlined, nationally coordinated yet regionally tailored support for business productivity and scale-up, particularly for SMEs, women entrepreneurs and other under-represented groups, and assist the enhancement of regional industrial and technology clusters and regional innovation ecosystems.
The program provides assistance through two streams.
- Business Scale-up and Productivity Stream (BSP): Invest in and support businesses at various stages of development, including high-growth firms, to accelerate their growth and assist them in scaling up, enhance their productivity and competitiveness in both domestic and global markets.
- Regional Innovation Ecosystems Stream (RIE): Create, grow and nurture inclusive regional ecosystems that support business needs and foster an entrepreneurial environment conducive to innovation, growth and competitiveness.
The Women Entrepreneurship Strategy (WES) provides nationally coordinated, regionally tailored investments to help women entrepreneurs and support regional innovation ecosystems through two program streams.
- WES Ecosystem Fund: a five-year program to help non-profit, third-party organizations deliver support for women entrepreneurs and address gaps in the ecosystem.
- Pilot Contribution Program (Women Entrepreneurship Fund): a two-year program completed in 2019-20 that invests directly in women-owned or women-led businesses to help them grow and reach new markets.
Contributions issued under the REGI Program may be unconditionally or conditionally repayable, or non-repayable. Contributions issued under WES are non-repayable only.
Expected results:
- Businesses adopt innovations and commercialize innovative products or services.
- Regional innovation ecosystems expand the number of supported businesses.
- Women entrepreneurs (WES) start and grow their businesses.
Fiscal year of last completed evaluation: Not applicable – new program.
Decision following the results of last evaluation: Not applicable – new program.
Fiscal year of planned completion of next evaluation:
- Evaluation of the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency’s Innovation Programming, 2019-20
- Evaluation of the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency’s Business Growth and Trade Programming, 2020-21
- Evaluation of the Regional Economic Growth through Innovation Program, 2024-25
General targeted recipient groups:
- For-profit organizations;
- Not-for-profit organizations;
- Academia and public institutions;
- Aboriginal recipients; and
- Government.
Initiatives to engage applicants and recipients:
ACOA collaborates with its partners and engages key stakeholders in discussions regarding economic development and business growth to ensure that the Agency’s investments respond to the needs of SMEs. Key partners and stakeholders may include other levels of government, community leaders, financial institutions and private-sector organizations. Furthermore, information on the REGI initiative as well as WES is shared with applicants and recipients through the Agency’s website.
Financial information (dollars)
| Type of transfer payment | 2019-20 forecast spending |
2020-21 planned spending |
2021-22 planned spending |
2022-23 planned spending |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Total grants | 495,150 | 1,187,500 | 1,000,000 | 1,000,000 |
| Total contributions | 94,536,025 | 98,192,481 | 96,073,343 | 101,583,159 |
| Total other types of transfer payments | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Total program | 95,031,175 | 99,379,981 | 97,073,343 | 102,583,159 |
3-year Plan for the 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 departmental results: Communities are economically diversified in Atlantic Canada
Link to the department’s Program Inventory: Inclusive Communities
Purpose and objectives of transfer payment program: 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, 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. CBDCs are legally incorporated, non-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 as follows:
- Economic stability, growth and job creation;
- Diversified and competitive local rural economies; and
- Economically sustainable communities.
Fiscal year of last completed evaluation: Horizontal Evaluation of the Community Futures Program, 2018-19
Decision following the results of last evaluation: Continuation
Fiscal year of planned completion of next evaluation: Evaluation of the Community Futures Program, 2023-24
General targeted recipient groups:
- Not-for-profit organizations and charities; and
- Other.
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 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, consistency and 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 2018-19 and will continue to engage the CBDCs in refining the collection and use of performance information needed by all stakeholders.
Financial information (dollars)
| Type of transfer payment | 2019-20 forecast spending |
2020-21 planned spending |
2021-22 planned spending |
2022-23 planned spending |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Total grants | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Total contributions | 12,643,700 | 12,642,000 | 12,642,000 | 12,642,000 |
| Total other types of transfer payments | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Total program | 12,643,700 | 12,642,000 | 12,642,000 | 12,642,000 |
3-year plan for the 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 departmental results: Communities are economically diversified in Atlantic Canada
Link to the department’s Program Inventory: Diversified Communities; Inclusive Communities
Purpose and objectives of transfer payment program: The Innovative Communities Fund (ICF) is designed to make non-repayable contributions in support of strategic initiatives that respond to the economic development needs of 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 they need to identify opportunities for sustainable economic growth. The overall expected result is to improve community capacity to identify and address economic as well as business development needs and opportunities.
Fiscal year of last completed evaluation: Evaluation of the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency’s Communities and Inclusive Growth Programming, 2018-19
Decision following the results of last evaluation: Continuation
Fiscal year of planned completion of next evaluation: Evaluation of Communities and Inclusive Growth Programming, 2023-24
General targeted recipient groups:
- Government;
- Aboriginal recipients; and
- Not-for-profit organizations and charities.
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.
Financial information (dollars)
| Type of transfer payment | 2019-20 forecast spending |
2020-21 planned spending |
2021-22 planned spending |
2022-23 planned spending |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Total grants | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Total contributions | 35,633,600 | 39,317,262 | 37,177,762 | 37,177,762 |
| Total other types of transfer payments | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Total program | 35,633,600 | 39,317,262 | 37,177,762 | 37,177,762 |
Transfer payment programs with total planned spending of less than $5 million
3-year plan for the Atlantic Policy Research Initiative – Voted
Start date: July 1, 2000
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 departmental results: Communities are economically diversified in Atlantic Canada; Businesses invest in the development and commercialization of innovative technologies in Atlantic Canada; and, Businesses are innovative and growing in Atlantic Canada
Link to the department’s Program Inventory: Policy Research and Engagement
Purpose and objectives of transfer payment program: The Atlantic Policy Research Initiative is the primary funding instrument through which ACOA supports policy research. The program provides non-repayable contributions.
The objectives of the program are to:
- generate and disseminate knowledge that enhances policy knowledge, taking into account regional economic opportunities and challenges;
- support and influence the policy research priorities that impact the Atlantic region, particularly those directly related to economic development; and
- establish and promote networks among stakeholders.
Expected results:
Well-informed policy decisions reflecting opportunities and challenges of the Atlantic region’s economy while considering enterprise and community development potential
Fiscal year of last completed evaluation: 2014-15
Decision following the results of last evaluation: Continuation
Fiscal year of planned completion of next evaluation (if applicable): Not applicable
General targeted recipient groups:
- For-profit organizations;
- Not-for-profit organizations and charities;
- International (non-government); and
- Government.
Initiatives to engage applicants and recipients: On a regular basis, ACOA meets with regional stakeholders and eligible applicants to discuss Government of Canada priorities and policy research opportunities. Regional program officers frequently refer eligible applicants looking to conduct policy research on diverse topics.
Financial information (dollars)
| Type of transfer payment | 2019-20 forecast spending |
2020-21 planned spending |
2021-22 planned spending |
2022-23 planned spending |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Total grants | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Total contributions | 600,500 | 600,000 | 600,000 | 600,000 |
| Total other types of transfer payments | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Total program | 600,500 | 600,000 | 600,000 | 600,000 |
Page details
- Date modified: