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2024-25 Departmental Plan – Transfer Payment Programs
Transfer payment programs with total planned spending 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 the Estimates
Fiscal year for terms and conditions: 2019-20
Link to departmental result(s): Businesses invest in the development and commercialization of innovative technologies in Atlantic Canada
Link to the department’s program inventory: Research and Development (R&D), and Commercialization; Innovation Ecosystem
Purpose and objectives of transfer payment program
The objectives of the Atlantic Innovation Fund ( AIF) are to:
- increase activity in and build capacity for innovation and R&D that lead to technologies, products, processes or services that contribute to economic growth in Atlantic Canada;
- increase the capacity for commercialization of R&D outputs;
- strengthen the region’s innovation capacity by supporting research, development and commercialization partnerships and alliances among private-sector firms, universities, research institutions and other organizations in the Atlantic system of innovation, and to increase their critical mass;
- maximize benefits from the national R&D programs.
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:
The Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency’s (ACOA) AIF investments aim, among other things, to contribute to leveraging funds toward innovation projects, encourage the development of partnerships for technology development and commercialization, and increase the number of commercialized technologies, products, processes and services.
Fiscal year of last completed evaluation:
Evaluation of ACOA’s Economic Development Programs, 2023-24
Decision following the results of last evaluation:
Pending
Fiscal year of next planned evaluation:
Evaluation of ACOA’s Economic Development Programs, 2028-29
General targeted recipient groups:
- For-profit organizations
- Non-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, as part of its operations. Key partners and stakeholders may include small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), other levels of government, community leaders, financial institutions, business support organizations and other private-sector organizations. Each ACOA regional office continues to focus on higher-impact investments in each community. The communication strategy also includes the use of social media to inform and engage applicants and recipients.
ACOA’s transfer payment programs are designed, delivered and managed in such a way that they remain place-based and client-focused, are relevant to the applicants’ and recipients’ needs, and achieve the expected results for which they are designed.
Financial information (dollars):
| Type of transfer payment | 2023-24 forecast spending | 2024-25 planned spending | 2025-26 planned spending | 2026-27 planned spending |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Total grants | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Total contributions | 4,023,500 | 5,000,000 | 5,000,000 | 5,000,000 |
| Total other types of transfer payments | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Total program | 4,023,500 | 5,000,000 | 5,000,000 | 5,000,000 |
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 the Estimates
Fiscal year for terms and conditions: 2023-24
Link to departmental result(s): Communities are economically diversified in Atlantic Canada; Businesses invest in the development and commercialization of innovative technologies in Atlantic Canada; 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 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 REGI, except to implement special initiatives at Cabinet direction.
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;
- provide for initiatives that strengthen Atlantic Canada’s economy.
The BDP also includes temporary funding:
- The Canada Coal Transition Initiative – Infrastructure Fund to support a just and sustainable transition away from coal-powered plants in affected rural communities. Ending March 31, 2025.
- The Tourism Growth Program to support communities, businesses and non-profit organizations by investing in local projects and events in the tourism sector. Ending March 31, 2026.
- The Hurricane Fiona Recovery Fund to help local communities and businesses in Atlantic Canada affected by the storm and to help long-term recovery efforts. Ending March 31, 2025.
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 be considered a commercial activity.
Expected results
Improve the growth and competitiveness of Atlantic Canadian SMEs through:
- strengthened innovation and commercialization capacity;
- more Atlantic Canadians with the motivation and skills required to successfully start, sustain or grow a business;
- access to accurate, timely and relevant business information;
- increased export capacity and sales for SMEs;
- increased flow of foreign direct investment into Atlantic Canada;
- access to funding for SME expansions/modernizations.
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 identify economic development needs and opportunities;
- Atlantic Canada businesses have access to capital;
- Atlantic Canada businesses have access to information and counselling;
- improved capacity to address economic and business development needs and opportunities;
- 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:
Evaluation of ACOA’s Economic Development Programs, 2023-24
Decision following the results of last evaluation:
Continuation
Fiscal year of next planned evaluation:
Evaluation of ACOA’s Economic Development Programs, 2028-29
General targeted recipient groups:
- For-profit organizations
- Non-profit organizations and charities
- Government
- Indigenous organizations
Initiatives to engage applicants and recipients:
ACOA engages proponents and recipients on a regular basis, either one-on-one or via industry associations, as part of its operations. Key partners and stakeholders may include SMEs, other levels of government, community leaders, financial institutions, business support organizations and other private-sector organizations. Each ACOA regional office continues to focus on higher-impact investments in each community. The communications strategy also includes the use of social media to inform and engage applicants and recipients.
ACOA’s transfer payment programs are designed, delivered and managed in such a way that they remain place-based and client-focused, are relevant to the applicants’ and recipients’ needs, and achieve the expected results for which they are designed.
Financial information (dollars):
| Type of transfer payment | 2023-24 forecast spending | 2024-25 planned spending | 2025-26 planned spending | 2026-27 planned spending |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Total grants | 360,300 | 1,500,000 | 1,500,000 | 1,500,000 |
| Total contributions | 68,012,048 | 45,138,099 | 25,953,683 | 21,653,683 |
| Total other types of transfer payments | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Total program | 68,372,348 | 46,638,099 | 27,453,683 | 23,153,683 |
Community Futures Program – Voted
Start date: May 18, 1995
End date: Ongoing
Type of transfer payment: Contribution
Type of appropriation: Appropriated annually through the Estimates
Fiscal year for terms and conditions: 2021-22
Link to departmental result(s): Communities are economically diversified in Atlantic Canada
Link to the department’s program inventory: Inclusive Communities
Purpose and objectives of transfer payment program:
The Community Futures (CF) Program’s purpose is to help communities develop and implement local solutions to local problems. The program provides financial support to CF organizations that, in collaboration with other partners and stakeholders, can assess their situation and develop strategies to meet their needs to provide support to SMEs and social enterprises and to undertake appropriate community economic development initiatives.
The CF Program provides non-repayable contributions to CF organizations, also known in Atlantic Canada as Community Business Development Corporations (CBDCs), and their associations. 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
- diversified and competitive local rural economies
- 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 next planned evaluation:
Horizontal Evaluation of the Community Futures Program, 2024-25
General targeted recipient groups:
- Non-profit organizations and charities
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 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.
The communications strategy also includes the use of social media to inform and engage applicants and recipients.
ACOA’s transfer payment programs are designed, delivered and managed in such a way that they remain place-based and client-focused, are relevant to the applicants’ and recipients’ needs, and achieve the expected results for which they are designed.
Financial information (dollars):
| Type of transfer payment | 2023-24 forecast spending | 2024-25 planned spending | 2025-26 planned spending | 2026-27 planned spending | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Total grants | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
| Total contributions | 13,097,400 | 12,642,000 | 12,642,000 | 12,642,000 | |
| Total other types of transfer payments | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
| Total program | 13,097,400 | 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: 2021-22
Link to departmental result(s): 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’s (ICF) objective is to diversify and enhance the economies of Atlantic communities, many of which are vulnerable to industry closures and major economic adjustments. In doing so, the program capitalizes on the opportunities and strengths that exist in these communities as identified in each community’s regional and/or sectoral strategic economic development plan. The focus of the ICF is the long-term sustainable economic development of communities in Atlantic Canada.
The objectives of the program are as follows:
- enhance community or regional capacity through the development of competitive, productive, strategic industry sectors;
- strengthen community infrastructure in rural communities to improve their economic development capacity;
- support initiatives that enhance communities’ capacity to overcome economic development challenges and take advantage of their strengths and assets, and of the opportunities presented.
The ICF includes temporary funding streams for:
- The Canada Coal Transition Initiative – Infrastructure Fund to support a just and sustainable transition away from coal-powered plants in affected rural communities. Ending March 31, 2025.
- The Hurricane Fiona Recovery Fund to help local communities and businesses in Atlantic Canada affected by the storm and to help long-term recovery efforts. Ending March 31, 2025.
Contributions issued under the ICF are non-repayable.
Expected results
Key results expected under the ICF are:
- Community Mobilization – improved community capacity to identify economic development needs and opportunities
- Community Investment – improved capacity to address economic and business development needs and opportunities
- Community-based business development – Atlantic Canada businesses have access to capital as well as to business information and counselling
Fiscal year of last completed evaluation:
Evaluation of ACOA’s Economic Development Programs, 2023-24
Decision following the results of last evaluation:
Continuation
Fiscal year of next planned evaluation:
Evaluation of ACOA’s Economic Development Programs, 2028-29
General targeted recipient groups:
- Non-profit organizations and charities
- Indigenous organizations
- Government
Initiatives to engage applicants and recipients:
ACOA engages proponents and recipients on a regular basis, either one-on-one or via industry associations, as part of its operations. Key partners and stakeholders may include SMEs, other levels of government, community leaders, financial institutions, business support organizations and other private-sector organizations. 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 each community. The communications strategy also includes the use of social media to inform and engage applicants and recipients.
ACOA’s transfer payment programs are designed, delivered and managed in such a way that they remain place-based and client-focused, are relevant to the applicants’ and recipients’ needs, and achieve the expected results for which they are designed.
Financial information (dollars):
| Type of transfer payment | 2023-24 forecast spending | 2024-25 planned spending | 2025-26 planned spending | 2026-27 planned spending | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Total grants | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
| Total contributions | 76,597,990 | 53,085,498 | 37,177,762 | 37,177,762 | |
| Total other types of transfer payments | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
| Total program | 76,597,990 | 53,085,498 | 37,177,762 | 37,177,762 | |
Regional Economic Growth through Innovation – Voted
Growth through Regional Innovation Program (known as the Regional Economic Growth through Innovation [REGI] Program)
Start date: October 18, 2018
End date: Ongoing
Type of transfer payment: Grant and Contribution
Type of appropriation: Appropriated annually through the Estimates
Fiscal year for terms and conditions: 2021-22
Link to departmental result(s): Communities are economically diversified in Atlantic Canada; Businesses invest in the development and commercialization of innovative technologies in Atlantic Canada; 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 to enhance the regional industrial and technology clusters and regional innovation ecosystems.
The program provides assistance through two streams:
- The Business Scale-up and Productivity Stream to 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.
- The Regional Innovation Ecosystems Stream to create, grow and nurture inclusive regional ecosystems that support business needs and foster an entrepreneurial environment conducive to innovation, growth and competitiveness.
Temporary initiatives delivered through the REGI Program streams:
- The Black Entrepreneurship Program National Ecosystem Fund to strengthen capacity among Black-led non-profit business organizations. Ending March 31, 2026.
- The Canada Coal Transition Initiative – Infrastructure Fund to support a just and sustainable transition away from coal-powered plants in affected rural communities. Ending on March 31, 2025.
Contributions issued under the REGI Program may be unconditionally or conditionally repayable, or non-repayable.
Expected results:
- The region’s businesses are innovative and growing; and the region’s businesses invest in the development and commercialization of innovative technologies.
- Regional innovation ecosystems are strong, dynamic and inclusive.
Fiscal year of last completed evaluation:
Horizontal Evaluation of the Regional Economic Growth through Innovation Program, 2023-24
Decision following the results of last evaluation:
Continuation
Fiscal year of next planned evaluation:
- Horizontal Evaluation of the Regional Economic Growth through Innovation Program, 2028-29
- Horizontal Evaluation of the Women’s Entrepreneurship Strategy, 2023-24
General targeted recipient groups:
- For-profit organizations
- Non-profit organizations and charities
- Academia and public institutions
- Indigenous organizations
- Government
Initiatives to engage applicants and recipients:
ACOA engages proponents and recipients on a regular basis, either one-on-one or via industry associations, as part of its operations. Key partners and stakeholders may include SMEs, other levels of government, community leaders, financial institutions, business support organizations and other private-sector organizations. Each ACOA regional office continues to focus on higher-impact investments in each community. The communications strategy also includes the use of social media to inform and engage applicants and recipients.
ACOA’s transfer payment programs are designed, delivered and managed in such a way that they remain place-based and client-focused, are relevant to the applicants’ and recipients’ needs, and achieve the expected results for which they are designed.
Financial information (dollars):
| Type of transfer payment | 2023-24 forecast spending | 2024-25 planned spending | 2025-26 planned spending | 2026-27 planned spending | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Total grants | 319,500 | 500,000 | 500,000 | 500,000 | |
| Total contributions | 233,307,496 | 188,229,275 | 179,752,608 | 92,961,048 | |
| Total other types of transfer payments | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
| Total program | 233,626,996 | 188,729,275 | 180,252,608 | 93,461,048 | |
Transfer payment programs with total planned spending of less than $5 million
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: 2013-14
Link to departmental result(s): Communities are economically diversified in Atlantic Canada; Businesses invest in the development and commercialization of innovative technologies in Atlantic Canada; 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 (APRI) is the primary funding instrument through which ACOA supports policy research. 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;
- establish and promote networks among stakeholders.
The program provides non-repayable contributions.
Expected results:
The key expected result supported by APRI is 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:
ACOA’s Evaluation of the Atlantic Policy Research Initiative, 2014-15
Decision following the results of last evaluation:
Continuation
Fiscal year of next planned evaluation:
Not applicable
General targeted recipient groups:
- For-profit organizations
- Non-profit organizations and charities
- Government
- Research institutions
- Academia and public institutions
- Business associations
Initiatives to engage applicants and recipients:
ACOA engages proponents and recipients on a regular basis as part of its operations to discuss Government of Canada priorities and policy research opportunities. Key stakeholders may include universities and research institutions, business associations, other levels of government, and other private-sector organizations. Each ACOA regional office continues to refer eligible applicants looking to conduct policy research on diverse topics.
ACOA’s transfer payment programs are designed, delivered and managed in such a way that they remain place-based and client-focused, are relevant to the applicants’ and recipients’ needs, and achieve the expected results for which they are designed.
Financial information (dollars):
| Type of transfer payment | 2023-24 forecast spending | 2024-25 planned spending | 2025-26 planned spending | 2026-27 planned spending | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Total grants | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
| Total contributions | 484,100 | 600,000 | 600,000 | 600,000 | |
| Total other types of transfer payments | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
| Total program | 484,100 | 600,000 | 600,000 | 600,000 | |