Atlantic Canada Business Grants

Not-for-profit organizations

Business Development Program (Agriculture)

Amount:

No Fixed Amount

Type of Program:

Grants

Description:

The Business Development Program supports the agriculture sector by providing funding for skills training, business planning and implementation, benchmarking and risk management activities which will expand domestic and international markets for Prince Edward Island producers and small to medium sized agri-businesses.
There are three funding categories: Training, Business Planning, and Benchmarking and Risk Management.

Comments on Funding:

Funding for Training is as follows:

  • 50% of the eligible expenses, up to $2,000 per participant per fiscal year for eligible agri-skills individualized training expenses and up to $1,000 for eligible software expenses per participant over the life of the CAP Framework Agreement (2018-2023),
  • 90% of the eligible expenses, up to $20,000 per project for eligible group training for agricultural producers, agri-processors, and/or agri-businesses,
  • 50% of the eligible expenses, up to $10,000 per project for eligible training for executives and up to $15,000 per project for eligible board capacity training expenses.

The maximum funding for agri-skills training is 50% of assistance per participant (maximum two per operation/organization) up to a maximum of $10,000 per farm entity over the life of the CAP Framework Agreement (2018-2023).

The maximum funding for Group Training expenses is $60,000 over the life of the CAP Framework Agreement.

Funding for Business Planning is 50% of eligible expenses, up to:

  • $5,000 per project for eligible financial assessment and financial action plan expenses over the life of the CAP Framework (2018-2023),
  • $10,000 per project for eligible succession plan expenses over the life of the CAP Framework (2018-2023),
  • $2,500 per project for eligible business plan expenses for beginning farmers who are part of a bonafide farm operation over the life of the CAP Framework (2018-2023),
  • $10,000 over the life of the CAP Framework Agreement (2018-2023) for groups of two farming entities’ eligible project expenses,
  • $15,000 over the life of the CAP Framework Agreement (2018-2023) for groups of three or more farming entities’ eligible project expenses.

Eligible applicants completing an on-line Self-Assessment process for the first time will be eligible for an additional 10% of funding assistance for eligible program expenses.

Funding for Benchmarking and Risk Management is as follows:

  • 90% of the eligible expenses, up to $15,000 for first time benchmarking or risk management initiatives,
  • 30% of the eligible expenses, up to $15,000 for approved repetitive benchmarking or risk management initiatives. 

When It Ends:

Ongoing

Deadline:

2023

Eligibility:

The applicant must:

  • Mi’kmaq First Nations and other Indigenous Organizations,
  • agricultural producers,
  • spouses of agricultural producers,
  • farm employees,
  • agriculture industry organizations, clubs, and associations,
  • agri-processors,
  • small to medium sized agri-businesses.

Others may be considered upon request.

Application Steps:

1

Applicants must submit their completed applications via regular mail or email to the attention of the Business Development Program Officer.

Documentation Needed: 

The applicant must submit:

  •  the completed application form,
  • a project proposal (for Business Planning application the proposal must be completed by the proposed consultant which outlines what work is to be completed, the time required to complete the plan as well as the cost of the plan),
  • the instructor or consultant’s Resume, if applying for Training,
  • the proposed consultant’s resume, and documentation verifying consultant’s professional certification(s) and references, if applying for Business Planning or Benchmarking and Risk Management,

Other Things to Note:

This program is part of the Canadian Agricultural Partnership (2018-2023).

Program Contact:

​Business Development Program (Agriculture)

Business Development Program Guide

Business Development Program Category: Training

Business Development Program Planning Application

​Business Development Program Category: Benchmarking and Risk Management​​​

Jobs for Youth Program

Amount:

No Fixed Amount

Type of Program:

Grants

Description:

The Jobs for Youth Program offers wage support for employers to create employment opportunities for PEI students.

Comments on Funding:

  1. 1
    Funding for the non profit sector is 100% of the provincial minimum wage rate plus 4% vacation pay for up to 40 hours per week for each approved position. Approved non-profit projects, at the time of start-up will be provided with 80% of the approved wage assistance for each position with 20% of the total amount being withheld until the completion of the project. 
  2. 2
    Funding for the private sector is 50% of the provincial minimum wage rate plus 4% vacation pay for up to 40 hours per week for each approved position. A minimum of 35 work hours must be provided to a position in any single week. A maximum of two positions can be approved per employer. 
  3. 3
    Funding for the public sector is 100% of the provincial minimum wage rate plus 5.7% vacation pay for an average 37.5 hours per week for each approved position. 

For all sectors, employers are responsible for the employer’s share of employee benefits such as: EI, CPP, Workers Compensation premiums, and the cost of materials, supplies, rentals, travel, telephone and so on.


Any unused portion of any payment must be repaid to the Employment Development Agency. 

When It Ends:

Ongoing

Deadline:

2022 dates to be announced

Eligibility:

The applicant must:

  • non-profit organizations,
  • municipalities, 
  • private businesses,
  • some public sector organizations.

The hired Youth must be:

  • an active student with the intention of returning to school in the next school year,
  • a PEI resident that is eligible to work in Canada,
  • 15 to 29 years of age. 

Application Steps:

1

Applicants can submit their application online using the WorkPEI platform or they can complete the PDF version.
Projects cannot begin prior to application approval nor can positions be filled or refilled without prior permission.

Documentation Needed: 

The applicant must submit:

  •  the completed application form,
  • an Employer/Employee Declaration Form within 7 days of the project start date.

​The project summary and payroll records must be submitted within 30 days of the project’s completion.

Other Things to Note:

Students are no longer required to fill out an application for the Jobs for Youth Program but should create a job seeker account at WorkPEI.

Program Contact:

​Jobs for Youth Program

​Jobs for Youth Program Guidelines & application form for Employers ​​​

Assurance Systems Program – Surveillance and Emergency Management Sub-Program

Amount:

No Fixed Amount

Type of Program:

Grants

Description:

The Surveillance and Emergency Management Initiative Sub-Program provides support for livestock surveillance and emergency management plans.

Comments on Funding:

Funding will be cost shared, between the applicant and the Department. The level of support and total contribution will be determined by the Assurance Systems Program Review Committee. 

When It Ends:

Ongoing

Deadline:

2023

Eligibility:

The applicant must:

  • Mi’kmaq First Nations and other Indigenous Organizations,
  • agriculture industry organizations, clubs, and associations,
  • agricultural producers,
  • provincial/territorial governments,
  • small to medium-sized agri-businesses and agri-processors,
  • public and private Institutions

Application Steps:

1

Applicants must submit their completed applications via regular mail or email to the attention of the Assurance Systems Program Officer.

Documentation Needed: 

The applicant must submit:

  • the completed application form,
  • a project proposal.

Other Things to Note:

This program is part of the Canadian Agricultural Partnership (2018-2023).
The Assurance Systems Program is designed to improve the anticipation, mitigation and response to risks by providing assistance to address risks related to humans, animals and plants through project-driven and other outcome-based approaches.

Program Contact:

​Surveillance and Emergency Management Sub-Program

Assurance System Program Guidelines

​Assurance Systems Program Surveillance and Emergency Management Sub-Program Application Form​​​

Digital Skills 4 Youth PEI’ (DS4Y PEl)

Amount:

$21,500

Type of Program:

Grants

Description:

Digital Skills 4 Youth PEI' (DS4Y PEl) is a new internship opportunity for Island youth that provides financial support to Island businesses or non-profit organizations who will act as 'Intern Host Organizations' (IHOs).  

Comments on Funding:

Funding is a maximum of $21,500 per intern in salary funds, understood to be 75% of the intern’s total salary.

SkillsPEI will also provide 'Digital Workplace Skills Training' to be completed during the internship.This will be supported at no cost to the Intern Host Organizations (IHO), although the IHO must agree to allow the intern to participate.

When It Ends:

Ongoing

Deadline:

Rolling Deadline

Eligibility:

The applicant must:

  • be an Island for-profit business or not-for-profit organization with fewer than 500 employees, 
  • act as 'Intern Host Organizations' (IHOs) to provide a recent graduate with professional experience and an opportunity to learn,
  • provide valuable employment opportunities related to digital activities and skills,
  • have the appropriate administrative support and capacity to train and mentor the intern to enhance and maximize the intern’s experience,
  • allow the intern to attend short training courses to enhance their essential skills and digital skills.

Special consideration will also be given to employers in rural areas, as well as employers looking to hire youth facing employment barriers, Indigenous youth, members of a visible minority group, persons with disabilities, and women.

The intern must:

  • be between 15 and 30 years of age at the start of the internship,
  • have recently completed post-secondary studies, meaning a degree or diploma program from a recognized institution,
  • be legally entitled to work in Canada,
  • be a Canadian citizen, permanent resident or person who has been granted refugee status,
  • not be in receipt of Employment Insurance during their internship,
  • self-assess as unemployed or underemployed, meaning they are employed below their level of education and/or hold part-time employments,
  • not be an immediate family member of the employer.

Application Steps:

1

The applicant must complete the DS4Y PEI Application Form and submit it to their local SkillsPEI office.

Documentation Needed: 

The applicant must submit:

  • a completed DS4Y PEI Application Form,
  • a detailed job description - outlining the duties the intern can expect, the proposed wage and terms of employment, and how your company will be providing an experience which will contribute to intern's skill set.

Other Things to Note:

Digital Skills 4 Youth PEI' (DS4Y PEl) is a new internship opportunity for Island youth delivered by the Department of Education and Lifelong Learning with funding support from Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada (ISED).

Program Contact:

Digital Skills 4 Youth PEI

Assurance Systems Program – Post-Farm Assurance Sub-Program

Amount:

No Fixed Amount

Type of Program:

Grants

Description:

The Post-Farm Assurance Sub-Program provides assistance for the implementation of recognized assurance systems in food processing enterprises, and/or post-farm agri-food enterprises. This project driven sub-program will target post-farm enterprises that market or modify raw agricultural products.

Comments on Funding:

Funding will be cost shared, between the applicant and the Department. The level of support and total contribution will be determined by the Assurance Systems Program Review Committee. 

When It Ends:

Ongoing

Deadline:

2023

Eligibility:

The applicant must:

  • Mi’kmaq First Nations and other Indigenous Organizations,
  • agriculture industry organizations, clubs, and associations,
  • agricultural producers,
  • provincial/territorial governments,
  • small to medium-sized agri-businesses and agri-processors,
  • public and private Institutions

Application Steps:

1

Applicants must submit their completed applications via regular mail or email to the attention of the Assurance Systems Program Officer.

Documentation Needed: 

The applicant must submit:

  • the completed application form,
  • a project proposal.

Other Things to Note:

This program is part of the Canadian Agricultural Partnership (2018-2023).
The Assurance Systems Program is designed to improve the anticipation, mitigation and response to risks by providing assistance to address risks related to humans, animals and plants through project-driven and other outcome-based approaches.

Program Contact:

​Post-Farm Assurance Sub-Program

Assurance Systems Program Guidelines

​Assurance Systems Program Post-Farm Assurance Sub-Program Application Form​​​