Details of transfer payment programs
Atlantic Innovation Fund (voted)
Start Date: May 10, 2001
End Date: Ongoing
Description: The Atlantic Innovation Fund (AIF) focuses on increasing research and development (R&D) linked to economic development and commercialization objectives in areas that are of strategic importance to the region, in particular the growth of strategic sectors/clusters. The AIF emphasizes building Atlantic Canada’s system of innovation, including components that bridge the gap between research institutions and the marketplace. It encourages synergies among the various components of this system through partnerships, alliances and networks. Furthermore, the AIF supports R&D projects that focus on the areas of natural sciences, applied sciences, and social sciences and humanities, where these are linked explicitly to the development of technology-based products, processes or services, or their commercialization, thereby strengthening the region’s system of innovation.
More information can be found on the Agency’s website.
Strategic Outcome: A competitive Atlantic Canadian economy
Results Achieved: The AIF program continues to be a catalyst in increasing the region’s capacity to carry out leading-edge R&D and contributes to the development of new technology-based economic activity in Atlantic Canada.
A new competitive round of AIF funding was launched in June 2013. Following the evaluation of proposals during the 2013-14 fiscal year, 10 projects were approved for a total of $24.8 million in funding. All the approved projects involved collaboration between institutions, government entities and the private sector, with 26 partnerships created in all.
The projects selected in the 2013 competitive round leveraged $66.9 million in funding from sources such as the private sector, universities and Atlantic provincial governments, as well as national R&D programs. Of the total leveraged amount, more than $11.3 million was from national programs funded through the National Research Council of Canada, the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canadathe Canada Foundation for Innovation, Canada Health Infoway, and the Canadian Institutes of Health Research.
The Agency also provided $8.5 million in funding for Springboard Atlantic Inc., a network of 18 universities and community colleges in Atlantic Canada. This network is instrumental to further advancing the commercialization of R&D in Atlantic Canada and in bridging the gap between researchers and the private sector. It also plays a key role in facilitating public-private partnerships throughout Atlantic Canada, as well as nationally and internationally.
Program: Enterprise Development
($ millions)
| 2011-12 Actual Spending |
2012-13 Actual Spending |
2013-14 Planned Spending |
2013-14 Total Authorities |
2013-14 Actual Spending |
Variance | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Total Contributions | 52.9 | 50.3 | 57.6 | 57.6 | 47.8 | 9.8 |
Comments on Variance: In 2013-14, actual spending under the AIF was less than expected, and $9.8 million was transferred from the AIF to the Business Development Program.
Audits Completed or Planned: No audits were planned or completed during fiscal year 2013-14.
Evaluations Completed or Planned:
- Evaluation of the Innovation and Commercialization sub-program, which includes an assessment of the AIF (to be completed in 2014-15).
Engagement of Applicants and Recipients: In order to engage potential project proponents, the Agency, through its regional offices, held information sessions outlining the AIF program requirements. Following the launch of the competitive round, an e-mail campaign targeting potential proponents was undertaken. In addition, ACOA officers routinely met with AIF project proponents and recipients, either on a one-on-one basis or through industry associations.
Minister Rob Moore also led a series of engagement sessions with targeted stakeholders. These sessions provided an opportunity for the Minister of State to discuss the Government of Canada’s approach to innovation and the evolving innovation landscape, as well as to obtain stakeholders’ views on the proposed enhancements to ACOA’s innovation programming.
Business Development Program (voted)
Start Date: July 25, 1995
End Date: Ongoing
Description: Through its 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; by working with communities to develop and diversify local economies; and by championing 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 policies and programs that strengthen the Atlantic economy.
Eligible commercial recipients include individuals, sole proprietorships, partnerships, co-operatives, a body corporate or a Crown corporation that carries on, or is about to carry on, for-profit activities in Atlantic Canada. This does not include a government or individual municipality.
Eligible non-commercial recipients include not-for-profit incorporated entities and may include a Crown corporation, a provincial government, a municipal government, a not-for-profit organization owned or controlled by a provincial or municipal government, local economic development associations or post-secondary educational institutions.
Strategic Outcome: A competitive Atlantic Canadian economy
Results Achieved: In 2013-14, through its BDP program, the Agency approved $108.7 million in funding for 827 projects to help expand and/or modernize facilities, innovate, develop productivity and business skills, increase export activity and expand foreign direct investment opportunities.
These innovation projects contributed to strengthening Atlantic Canada’s innovation and commercialization capacity by leveraging $1.32 for every dollar invested by ACOA. With these investments, Atlantic Canadian SMEs were able to increase their productivity and improve their competitiveness by developing new products, services or processes, by gaining efficiencies, reducing waste, acquiring skills, leveraging additional private-sector investments and commercializing their ideas.
ACOA investments in productivity and growth projects enabled SMEs to improve their productivity, acquire technology, expand and/or modernize their operations, train their employees and hire skilled personnel. Thanks to those investments, SMEs were able to implement quality and productivity improvement programs, diversify their product lines or introduce new products, expand their customer base, reduce operating costs, and capitalize on procurement and development opportunities arising from major projects such as the National Shipbuilding Procurement Strategy.
ACOA displayed strong leadership, rallying federal and provincial partners behind an integrated approach to international business development. This integrated approach allowed the Agency to promote trade, to attract foreign direct investment, to encourage the commercialization of technologies developed by Atlantic Canada’s researchers and SMEs, and to project a favourable image of the region in foreign markets. ACOA’s investments facilitated SME participation in trade missions to Central and South America, the Caribbean, the United States, Asia (China, India, Japan and South Korea) and Europe.
ACOA’s investments also contributed to nine foreign direct investment transactions.
In 2013-14, ACOA worked in partnership with communities and stakeholders in strategic investments that reflected economic development plans and priorities elaborated and implemented by the region’s rural and urban communities. The BDP allowed the Agency to support the development of communities across Atlantic Canada by approving 170 community development projects worth $21.4 million in investment.
Program: Enterprise Development
($ millions)
| 2011-12 Actual Spending |
2012-13 Actual Spending |
2013-14 Planned Spending |
2013-14 Total Authorities |
2013-14 Actual Spending |
Variance | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Total Grants | 0.1 | 0.3 | 1.0 | 1.0 | 0.3 | 0.7 |
| Total Contributions |
93.6 | 105.4 | 88.7 | 94.1 | 105.0 | (16.3) |
| Total for Program | 93.7 | 105.7 | 89.7 | 95.1 | 105.3 | (15.6) |
Program: Community Development
($ millions)
| 2011-12 Actual Spending |
2012-13 Actual Spending |
2013-14 Planned Spending |
2013-14 Total Authorities |
2013-14 Actual Spending |
Variance | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Total Grants | 0.2 | 0.2 | 1.0 | 1.0 | 0.2 | 0.8 |
| Total Contributions |
34.2 | 31.3 | 10.9 | 11.1 | 22.7 | (11.8) |
| Total for Program | 34.4 | 31.5 | 11.9 | 12.1 | 22.9 | (11.0) |
Program: Policy, Advocacy and Coordination
($ millions)
| 2011-12 Actual Spending |
2012-13 Actual Spending |
2013-14 Planned Spending |
2013-14 Total Authorities |
2013-14 Actual Spending |
Variance | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Total Contributions |
0.3 | 0.3 | 0.5 | 1.7 | 0.8 | (0.3) |
| Total for Program | 0.3 | 0.3 | 0.5 | 1.7 | 0.8 | (0.3) |
| Total for all Programs | 128.4 | 137.5 | 102.1 | 108.9 | 129.0 | (26.9) |
Comments on Variance:
Enterprise Development - There was an increased demand for BDP programming. Additional funding was made available from other programs such as the AIF and from additional spending authorities.
Community Development - As a result of an increased demand for BDP programming and shifting of priorities under the Innovative Communities Fund (ICF), a transfer of $10 million was made available to BDP from ICF, and the balance of $1 million was obtained through additional spending authorities. This provided funding to SMEs facing challenges during the economic downturn and supported various community development initiatives in Atlantic Canada.
Audits Completed or Planned: In 2013-14, ACOA’s BDP was part of the Comptroller General of Canada’s Audit of Grants and Contributions Receivables Management.
Evaluations Completed or Planned:
In progress
- Evaluation of the Innovation and Commercialization sub-program, which includes an assessment of the Business Development Program (to be completed in 2014-15).
- Evaluation of the Productivity and Growth sub-program, which includes an assessment of the Business Development Program (to be completed in 2015-16).
- Evaluation of the International Business Development sub-program, which includes an assessment of the Business Development Program (to be completed in 2014-15).
- Evaluation of the Atlantic Policy Research Initiative (APRI), which includes an assessment of the Business Development Program (to be completed in 2014-15).
- Evaluation of the Community-based Business Development sub-program, which includes an assessment of the Business Development Program (June 2014).
Completed
- Evaluation of the Community Mobilization and Community Investment sub-programs, which included an assessment of the Business Development Program (February 2014).
Note: ACOA evaluations are aligned to the program alignment architecture (not to transfer payment programs). Collectively, these evaluations represent 100% coverage of the BDP transfer payment program.
Engagement of 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 applicants’ and recipients’ needs, and achieve the expected results for which they are designed. Engaging key stakeholders in discussions regarding 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, whether through information sharing, consultations or collaborations.
In ensuring that BDP elements (business establishment and expansion, innovation, skills development and trade activities) are designed for continuous improvement to support expected outcomes, ACOA engages the following stakeholders: the business sector; community-based economic development organizations and volunteer groups; universities and colleges; research institutes; other levels of government; and First Nation communities.
Additionally, BDP information is continuously shared with applicants and recipients through ACOA’s website and outreach events in communities across Atlantic Canada.
The Agency also consults its applicants and clients through periodic satisfaction surveys. These surveys provide the Agency with information on the importance of various service features and on areas for improvement.
Community Futures Program (voted)
Start Date: May 18, 1995
End Date: Ongoing
Description: The Community Futures (CF) program’s purpose is to help communities develop and implement local solutions to local problems. It provides non-repayable contributions to CF organizations (CFOs), also known in Atlantic Canada as Community Business Development Corporations (CBDCs). The CBDCs collaborate with partners and stakeholders to assess their situation and develop strategies to meet their needs. They provide financial and technical support to social enterprises and to SMEs in rural areas. CBDCs manage over 6,200 loans to rural businesses, totalling over $234 million in investments. Since April 2011, the CBDCs have modernized their suite of loan products with offerings that now include products for youth, first-time entrepreneurs, general business, innovation, and social enterprises. More information on services provided through the CBDCs can be found on ACOA’s website.
Strategic Outcome: A competitive Atlantic Canadian economy
Results Achieved: In 2013-14, the CBDCs continued to provide an essential source of investment capital focused on rural businesses, as well as business counselling and skills development. The CBDCs assisted 1,239 businesses through their investment fund, representing a total direct investment of $60.3 million in Atlantic Canadian SMEs and the creation of 1,422 new jobs in rural communities in Atlantic Canada. The CBDCs also provided 6,211 counselling sessions and 436 training sessions to clients throughout the region. The Agency, with support from the CBDCs, enhanced marketing activities for greater awareness of the use of CFOs in Atlantic Canada by increasing exposure through a number of marketing strategies, including but not limited to website development and social media advertising.
Program: Community Development
($ millions)
| 2011-12 Actual Spending |
2012-13 Actual Spending |
2013-14 Planned Spending |
2013-14 Total Authorities |
2013-14 Actual Spending |
Variance | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Total Contributions |
12.6 | 12.6 | 12.6 | 12.6 | 12.6 | 0.0 |
Comments on Variance: There is no variance for fiscal year 2013-14 under the CF program.
Audits Completed or Planned: No audits were planned or completed during fiscal year 2013-14.
Evaluations Completed or Planned:
In progress
- Evaluation of the Community-based Business Development sub-program, which includes an assessment of the Community Futures Program (June 2014).
Engagement of Applicants and Recipients: The Agency is engaged in a number of initiatives to support the CBDC network as part of the implementation and management of the Community Futures of Tomorrow (CFoT) model. A CFoT Oversight Committee was established with a view to maintaining the long-term viability of the CF program. This committee acts as a governing body, ensuring that the model’s objectives are being managed collaboratively among individual CBDCs, the Atlantic Association of CBDCs and ACOA.
In addition, ACOA continued to work collaboratively with the CBDC network to ensure that all CBDCs were in compliance with a common governance framework and standards. The framework is structured around the principles of accountability, transparency and confidentiality, and promotes best practices that allow for the protection of communities’ and stakeholders’ interests and their consideration in key decisions.
The Agency also worked closely with other regional development agencies to increase integrity and to improve the consistency and collection of performance results using the CF performance measurement strategy.
Community Infrastructure Improvement Fund (voted)
Start Date: June 19, 2012
End Date: March 31, 2014
Description: The Community Infrastructure Improvement Fund (CIIF) supported the improvement of existing community infrastructure facilities and provided economic benefits, including job creation, in communities across Canada.
Specifically, the CIIF supported the rehabilitation and improvement (including expansion) of existing community infrastructure facilities such as community centres, recreational buildings, local arenas, cultural facilities and other community facilities. All contributions are non-repayable.
Strategic Outcome: A competitive Atlantic Canadian economy
Results Achieved: In 2013-14, a total of 62 projects were funded under the CIIF. These projects had a total project cost of $12.8 million, with an ACOA contribution of $3.1 million and $9.7 million leveraged from other sources. A total of 71 partners collaborated on the various investments made throughout Atlantic Canada under this program.
Program: Community Development
($ millions)
| 2011-12 Actual Spending |
2012-13 Actual Spending |
2013-14 Planned Spending |
2013-14 Total Authorities |
2013-14 Actual Spending |
Variance | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Total Contributions |
0.0 | 4.3 | 8.3 | 12.3 | 12.3 | (4.0) |
Comments on Variance: Due to the timing of the launch of the CIIF (summer 2012), projects were approved late in the construction season. This resulted in a lower amount of spending in 2012-13 and a reprofiling of $4 million in 2013-14.
Audits Completed or Planned: No audits were planned or completed during fiscal year 2013-14.
Evaluations Completed or Planned: ACOA has no formal evaluation requirements related to the CIIF.
Engagement of Applicants and Recipients: During the two-year initiative, ACOA collaborated with a total of 207 partners and stakeholders on various projects that contributed to the modernization of existing infrastructure in Atlantic Canadian communities. In addition, CIIF information was shared with applicants and recipients through the Agency’s website.
Innovative Communities Fund (voted)
Start Date: April 1, 2005
End Date: Ongoing
Description: The Innovative Communities Fund (ICF) is designed to make non-repayable contributions in order to support strategic initiatives that respond to the economic development needs of communities. To effectively address the wide range of challenges and opportunities that reside in regions, communities and sectors, the ICF takes a comprehensive approach to working with communities at various stages along the economic development continuum, while ensuring sustainable economic outcomes.
Strategic Outcome: A competitive Atlantic Canadian economy
Results Achieved: In 2013-14, a total of 94 projects were funded under the ICF. These projects had a total project cost of $126.4 million, with an ACOA contribution of $47.1 million and $79.2 million leveraged from other sources. The Agency collaborated with communities and stakeholders on strategic projects related to community capacity building as well as business-sector development. This included working with industry associations in their developmental efforts for the growth of emerging sectors. A total of 351 partners collaborated on the various investments made throughout Atlantic Canada under the ICF.
Program: Community Development
($ millions)
| 2011-12 Actual Spending |
2012-13 Actual Spending |
2013-14 Planned Spending |
2013-14 Total Authorities |
2013-14 Actual Spending |
Variance | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Total Contributions |
33.3 | 28.0 | 44.5 | 44.5 | 34.5 | 10.0 |
Comments on Variance: In the past few years, the Agency has refocused its efforts on ICF and is funding higher economic impact projects. The development of these projects is more complex. Therefore, in 2013-14, the Agency focused on strengthening its processes and tools to assist its staff in the development and assessment of higher economic impact projects. In light of this, a mid-year review of spending targets was completed and the planned spending amount for 2013-14 was revised to $34.3 million, which places the Agency on track with actual spending results for 2013-14.
Audits Completed or Planned: No audits were planned or completed during fiscal year 2013-14.
Evaluations Completed or Planned:
In progress
- Evaluation of the Community-based Business Development sub-program, which includes an assessment of the Innovative Communities Fund (June 2014).
Completed
- Evaluation of the Community Mobilization and Community Investment sub-programs, which included an assessment of the Innovative Communities Fund (February 2014).
Note: ACOA evaluations are conducted according to the program alignment architecture (not the transfer payment program). Collectively, these evaluations represent 100% coverage of the ICF transfer payment program.
Engagement of Applicants and Recipients: ACOA proactively worked with its partners and engaged key stakeholders in discussions regarding community economic development to identify strategic community projects and to ensure that the Agency’s investments continue to respond to the economic needs of communities throughout Atlantic Canada.
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