The agriculture industry accounts for much of Canada’s domestic and export output and plays a vital role in the economic development and growth of the nation. However, employment in this industry is expected to decline due to labour shortages. Agricultural employers are burdened with unique hiring challenges, such as large seasonal fluctuations, scarcity of population in rural areas, and a lack of desire to work a physically demanding job with average compensation. As a result, government initiatives, such as the Canadian Agriculture Partnership Alberta (CAP Alberta), are looking for new ways to stimulate growth in this vital part of the Canadian market and help stakeholders overcome industry challenges, as well as take advantage of market opportunities.
“The sector’s labour gap will nearly double over the next 10 years, reaching 113,800 people by 2025. This is equivalent to 27% of the labour demand for that year, or more than one in every four jobs in the sector”
-Canadian Agricultural Human Resources Council
Therefore, CAP Alberta is offering a government funding initiative called CAP Alberta Emerging Opportunities program, which is designed to support the diversification of, and economic growth in, Alberta’s agriculture, agri-processing, and agri-based product sectors. By supporting strategic initiatives, Alberta aims to stimulate sector growth through new equipment, market opportunities, and the creation of jobs in the province.
“Over the next decade, this vital sector is poised for growth, as the global market for Canadian agricultural products rapidly expands.”
-Canadian Agricultural Human Resources Council
Funding Amount
Successful applicants for the CAP Alberta Emerging Opportunities program may receive up to $500,000 per fiscal year in government funding. However, processors should be aware that they may not apply for more than one Alberta CAP program to cover the same project expenses.
Applicant Eligibility
Eligible applicants for this program must be registered and operating in Alberta. Successful applicants will be:
- Processors including food processors and bio-industrial processors;
- Agri-businesses in the province; and
- Industry Organizations.
Take a moment to learn more about CAP Alberta before applying for a government funding program.
Eligible Projects
Successful applicants must apply with projects that include a combination of one or more of the following activities:
- Upgrading or acquiring equipment, installing said equipment, and engineering related to new manufacturing facilities and expansion projects in Alberta;
- Taking on initiatives to explore new market opportunities, as well as directly addressing barriers to export and market access;
- Projects related to promoting collaboration among other companies to grow the sector; and
- Any other relevant project that is designed to support emerging opportunities in the sector.
Program Deadline
The CAP Alberta Emerging Opportunities program is currently open and has an ongoing intake. The timeline for the Emerging Opportunities program is currently ranging from April 1, 2018 to March 31, 2023. Although this program has an ongoing intake, it is highly recommended that applicants consider submitting applications promptly.
Get Government Funding Aid for Your Agriculture Business
The agriculture industry is crucial to the future of Canada’s economic stability. Therefore, the Canadian government offers a wide breadth of funding programs that provide grant and loan support. We recommend business and organizations looking to leverage funding opportunities break down their search into one of the four key business activities:
- Business Expansion Funding
- Capital Investment & Technology Adoption Funding
- Hiring & Training Funding
- Research & Development Funding
The application process for these programs can be complex and challenging. We recommend that businesses and organizations speak with a government funding expert before starting an application to ensure that you are getting the best start possible.