Funding Programs and Support

Where to Get Funding and Support:

Food companies don't always know where to find funding and other types of service and support that is relevant to them. So we've pulled together some of the key programs that may be of interest to you. Our list includes federal, provincial and municipal programs as well as some programs offered by utilities providers. Contact information is included for each of the programs. Please contact them directly for program details and/or clarification.

OMAFRA's Business Development Branch can help you grow your food and beverage processing business. Contact a Business Development Consultant for assistance.

Workforce Development

Apprenticeship Training Tax Credit Ontario: (PDF 109 KB): Companies that hire and train apprentices in certain skilled trades, including millwrights and process operators can receive a tax credit from the Ontario government

Apprenticeship Job Creation Tax Credit Federal: (PDF 89 KB): This is a federal incentive program designed to help employers offset the cost of hiring and training employees who have entered into an apprenticeship contract.

Career Bridge: (PDF 84 KB): an innovative program for employers seeking qualified workers and for recent immigrants seeking professional level positions in their fields of expertise.

First Job Initiative - Ontario Centres of Excellence: (PDF 80 KB): OCE's First Job Initiative helps Ontario companies hire knowledgeable, highly-skilled graduates from Ontario colleges and universities. Employment opportunities are in research and development with the goal of developing new products, services and processes.

Opportunities Ontario: Provincial Nominee Program (PNP): (PDF 77 KB): an immigration program whch is designed in part to assist employers who are having difficulty recruiting qualified, skilled workers in Ontario.

Ontario Co-op Education Tax Credit: (CETC): (PDF 88 KB): The Co-operative Education Tax Credit (CETC) is a refundable tax credit available to employers who hire students enrolled in a recognized Ontario university or college co-operative education program.

Sector Initiatives Fund: (SIF): (PDF 115 KB): The Sector Initatives Fund is a funding program designed to encourage sector groups and organizations to improve competitiveness, support skills acquisition, and provide general benefit to companies within a particular sector.

Youth Employment Strategy (part of Industrial Research Assistance Program: food manufacturing companies that are looking to develop new products or improve their technical production processes may qualify for funding to hire an intern through the Industrial Research Assistance Program (IRAP). This program provides financial assistance to innovative Canadian Small and Medium-sized Enterprises (SME's) to hire post-secondary graduates to work on innovation projects.

Business Development

Canadian Agricultural Adaptation Program: (PDF 115 KB): The Canadian Agricultural Adaptation Program (CAAP) is a five-year (2009-2014), $163 million program with $28.1 million assigned to Ontario projects.

Canadian Dairy Commission's Matching Investment Fund (MIF): (PDF 82 KB): MIF is a three-year, $6 million fund designed to encourage growth and innovation in the manufacture and use of Canadian dairy products and ingredients.

Eastern Ontario Development Fund (EODF): (PDF 118 KB): The EODF is an $80 million fund designed to help businesses create new jobs, and invest in new technologies, equipment or skills training for workers. It also supports economic development projects that will attract or retain investment in Ontario-based industries and communities.

Export Market Access: A Global Expansion Program (EMA): (PDF 163 KB): The Export Market Access is a $5 million initiative designed to help small and medium-sized enterprises increase their access to global markets.

FedDev Prosperity Initiative: (PDF 105 KB) A four year, $210 million program.

High Performance New Construction Program (HPNC): (PDF 125 KB): The HPNC Program was developed to encourage the design and building of facilities that reduce the use of kilowatt hours of energy.

Rural Economic Development Program (RED): (PDF 136 KB): A financial support program to help rural communities thrive and grow. It supports projects that remove barriers to community development and economic growth. (Program fully subscribed)

Southwestern Ontario Development Fund (SWODF): (PDF 240 KB): The Southwestern Ontario Economic Development Fund is a fund designed to help businesses create new jobs, and invest in new technologies, equipment or skills training for workers.

Food Safety and Traceability: We are helping the sector respond to heightened consumer awareness of food safety by supporting the adoption of practices that enhance food safety on farms and in the food and beverage processing industry.

Research and Development Programs

The Ontario Business Research Institute Tax Credit (OBRITC): (PDF 115 KB) a refundable tax credit that is available to a qualifying corporation that performs scientific research and experimental development (SR&ED) in Ontario under a contract with an eligible research institute (ERI).

Scientific Research and Experimental Development Tax Incentive Program(SR&ED): a federal tax incentive program to encourage Canadian businesses of all sizes and in all sectors to conduct research and development in Canada that will lead to new, improved, or technologically advanced products or processes.

For more funding programs visit Invest in Ontario or the Ontario Business Program Guide on the Service Ontario web site.