Grow Ontario Market Initiative

Grow Ontario Market Initiative is sponsored by Ontario Government. This initiative provides non-repayable funding to provincial food producers and processors to support third-party expenses for expanding domestic or export markets.

Grow Ontario Market Initiative Guidelines | ontario. ca Grow Ontario Market Initiative Guidelines Learn how to apply for funding to grow your agri-food business through marketing analysis and planning, new product development and marketing activities. Application intake for this Initiative closed on August 29, 2024.

Skip this page navigation The Grow Ontario Market Initiative provides funding to primary producers, processors and industry organizations to find and develop domestic or export market opportunities. You may use the funding to grow your business through: marketing analysis and planning Read the definitions to help you understand the terms used in these guidelines. Read the guidelines on this page.

Download and complete the application form. Email your completed application to SustainableCAP3@ontario. ca .

Applicants may submit a maximum of 2 applications/projects under the initiative at any given time. Projects are recommended to be less than 2 years long. The application intake period is open, as of May 19, 2023 .

There is no deadline, but the intake is subject to the availability of funding allocated to the initiative. Once funds are allocated, the intake will close. Grow Ontario Market Initiative Guidelines 1.

Purpose of the Initiative The purpose of the Initiative is to support Primary Producers, Processors and Industry Organizations to grow their business through marketing analysis and planning, new product development and marketing activities to find, develop and capture new or expand domestic or export market opportunities. 2. Term of the Initiative 2.

1 Commencement of the Initiative The Initiative will begin on May 19, 2023. 3. Funding for the Initiative 3.

1 Maximum funding available to a Recipient under the Initiative Processor and Primary Producer Recipients are eligible to receive 50% of Eligible Costs up to a maximum of $60,000. 00 (sixty thousand dollars) in funding per Project under the Initiative.

An Industry Organization Recipient is eligible to receive 50% of Eligible Costs up to a maximum of $125,000 (one hundred and twenty-five thousand dollars) in funding per Project under the Initiative. 3. 2 Source and amount of funding for Initiative Funding for the Initiative comes from the Sustainable Canadian Agricultural Partnership (Sustainable CAP ).

Up to $12,000,000 has been allocated for the Initiative. 4. Operation of the Initiative 4.

1 Eligible and ineligible activities 4. 1.

1 Eligible activities The following activities related to new or expanded domestic (within Canada) and international (outside of Canada) markets are eligible under the Initiative: market analysis and planning: third-party advisory services to complete market analysis, life cycle analysis and/or a marketing plan for a new product and/or a new or expanded existing market third-party advisory services to investigate the regulatory or certification standards, or requirements needed to access a new market (such as food product labels, preparation of nutritional panels and other required label information for domestic and international markets and trade issues) third-party advisory services for new product development activities, including: regulatory review for new products ingredient, material or packaging sourcing testing or analysis to verify and complement development process including: nutritional, microbial, chemical, allergen or package testing to ensure compatibility with product labelling development and design for marketing purposes labelling development for a new product to ensure compliance with regulatory requirements third-party services for implementation of a business or marketing plan to access or expand into a new market, including: focus group and/or consumer studies new product marketing campaigns for domestic and international markets new sales, marketing and promotional activities or events (such as trade missions, tradeshows, buyer meetings/demonstrations) specially produced product samples (not from normal production) for market research, tradeshow, or specific events (such as pilot plant samples made specifically for marketing purposes) 4.

1. 2 Ineligible activities The following activities are ineligible for the Initiative: activities related to the domestic marketing and product development of Aquaculture as well as Fish and Seafood Processing any activity that is not set out under section 4. 1.

1 of the Guidelines 4. 2 Eligible Costs and Ineligible Costs under the Initiative 4. 2.

1 Eligible Costs under the Initiative The following costs are eligible for the purposes of the Initiative, provided they were reasonably incurred and directly necessary to complete the Recipient’s Project: costs that were incurred after the date that the Project was approved and before the date the Project is to be completed costs that reflect the actual costs to the Recipient, less any costs, including taxes, for which the Recipient has received, will receive or is eligible to receive, a rebate, credit or refund, whether or not the Recipient applied for that rebate, credit or refund third-party service fees for: creative development services product development services consumer and marketing analysis laboratory and diagnostic analysis advertisement placement costs or media buys one-time tradeshow entrance and exhibiting fees shipping costs of marketing materials and product samples costs of rental of facilities and rental of equipment for new product development only transportation, meal and hotel costs in accordance with Appendix A for Recipient’s staff and third-party service providers 4.

2.

2 Ineligible Costs under the Initiative The following costs are ineligible for the purposes of the Initiative: costs to apply to the Initiative costs that were incurred before the Project approval date and after the Project completion date costs to obtain goods, services or both, where those goods, services or both were not obtained from an entity operating at Arm’s Length from the Recipient costs related to the Recipient’s ordinary business operations, including costs of normal production inputs including ingredients, packaging and labelling costs related to submitting reports to the Ministry costs for local branding initiatives that could result in or lead to competition with another province or territory capital costs and installation or configuration costs costs of the maintenance of an existing third-party certification retailer, distributor/broker or food services listing or slotting fees costs associated with starting up a new business or facility costs associated with a new package format without a formulation change any in-kind contributions tradeshow entrance and exhibiting fees where the Recipient is already receiving funding support for the same tradeshow from the Province costs associated with any activities for products that are not intended to be sold beyond the Recipient’s location alcohol, hospitality and gifts any other costs that are not set out under section 4.

2. 1 of the Guidelines 4.

3 Eligibility requirements To be eligible to participate in the Initiative, an Applicant will meet the following requirements: doing Aquaculture, but only to the extent they are undertaking international marketing activities a Fish or Seafood Processor, but only to the extent they are undertaking international marketing activities, or Canadian Revenue Agency Business Number ( CRA BN ), or Social Insurance Number ( SIN ), but only if the Applicant has been found eligible to participate in the Initiative and is also eligible to receive an Initiative Payment Submit a completed Ministry-approved Application Form to the Ministry in accordance with what is set out under section 4.

4 of the Guidelines Have a valid and up to date Premises Identification Number ( PID ) for the business location(s) where the Project is to take place (to register for or update a PID , visit the Provincial Premises Registry ) If applying as a Primary Producer, have a: valid Farm Business Registration Number ( FBRN ) an Order from the Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs Appeal Tribunal exempting the Person from having to have a FBRN , or a letter from the Indian Agriculture Program of Ontario If applying as a beekeeper under Primary Producer, have a valid certificate of registration issued under the Bees Act Is undertaking an activity set out in section 4.

1.

1 of the Guidelines Be in compliance with the following for its business operations at the time of applying to the Initiative: environmental-related Requirements of Law labour-related Requirements of Law tax-related Requirements of Law material compliance with all other Requirements of Law Is not, nor is any officer, director or employee of the Applicant (if any), a current or former federal public office holder or federal public servant, or if the Applicant is, or any officer, director or employee of the Applicant (if any) is, the Applicant, or that officer, director or employee of the Applicant (if any) is in compliance with the Conflict of Interest Act (Canada), the Conflict of Interest Code for Members of the House of Commons (Canada), the Values and Ethics Code for the Public Sector (Canada) and the Policy on Conflict of Interest and Post-employment (Canada), as applicable Is not, nor is any officer, director or employee of the Applicant (if any), a member of the House of Commons on the Senate, or, if the Applicant is, or any officer, director or employee of the Applicant (if any) is, the Applicant, or the officer, director or employee of the Applicant (if any), is permitted under the Parliament of Canada Act (Canada) to receive funding from Canada under the Partnership Agrees that any intellectual property rights arising from their Project, should the Applicant be found to be eligible to participate in the Initiative as well as receive an Initiative Payment, belongs to the Applicant Agrees that Canada and Ontario may, should the Applicant be found to be eligible to participate in the Initiative as well as receive an Initiative Payment, publish information about the Applicant, including: Project-related information the Name of the Applicant the amount of funding Canada and Ontario provided the outcome of the Project Agrees to be bound by the terms, conditions and requirements of the Initiative, as set out in the Minister’s Order, the Guidelines and the Approval Letter 4.

4 Applying to the Initiative Applicants must apply to the Initiative using a Ministry-approved Application Form. The Application Form should be filled out using Adobe Acrobat Reader. Applicants that use another format other than Adobe Acrobat Reader to fill out their Application Form may be required to re-submit their Application Form filled out using Adobe Acrobat Reader.

Applicants must ensure that their Application Form is fully completed. Completed Application Forms will be accepted as of May 19, 2023 on an ongoing basis, subject to the availability of funding allocated to the Initiative. Completed Application Forms must be submitted by email to SustainableCAP3@ontario.

ca . In addition to a complete Application Form, Applicants must provide written quotes from the third party providing a good, service or both to the Applicant detailing the proposed Eligible Costs for the Project. Supporting documentation provided but not required under the Initiative, will not be reviewed.

If applying as a beekeeper under Primary Producer, Applicants must provide a valid certificate of registration issued under the Bees Act along with their Application Form. Applicants can have a maximum of two submitted applications/Projects in progress under the Initiative at any given time. It is recommended that Projects be less than 2 years in duration.

A separate Application Form must be submitted for each proposed Project. Where Applicants are allowed to and have submitted/are submitting more than one Application Form under this or other Initiative(s) under Sustainable CAP , the Applicant must ensure that each proposed Project has distinct and separate expected outcome(s).

Applicants must not submit an Application Form for a Project where the Applicant has already received Initiative Payment(s) for the Project through Sustainable CAP . Where Applicants have received funding for the Project through other sources, the total assistance provided from all funding sources cannot be greater than 100% of the total Eligible Costs.

All funding for a Project, including from additional sources, must be listed on the Application Form.

Applicants must select and enter in the Application Form the North American Industry Classification System ( NAICS ) codes as set out in Appendix C to the Guidelines that best describes: the Applicant’s business/organization the primary sector/commodity impacted by the Project If the Applicant is unable to find the suitable NAICS Code for the business/organization, please review the Primary Producer, Processor, and Industry Organization definition in section 9.

1 of the Guidelines as the business/organization may be ineligible for funding under this Initiative. If the Applicant is unable to find the suitable NAICS Code for the primary sector/commodity impacted by the Project, the Project may be ineligible for funding under this Initiative. 4.

5 Review of application, evaluation criteria and notification The Ministry will review the Application Form to determine whether the Applicant is eligible to participate in the Initiative. The Ministry will only review a completed Application Form. Incomplete Application Forms will not be accepted.

Applicants will be notified if they submit an incomplete application and receive an opportunity to resubmit.

Applications will be evaluated based on the extent to which: new markets are accessed, or existing markets are expanded as a result of the Project the rationale to support the market opportunity, Project need and benefits are clearly and comprehensively demonstrated relevant business impacts of the Project are anticipated and have been quantified, such as: job creation or retention increased sales and revenue resources, experience and skills necessary to oversee and carry out the Project are identified project work plans are clearly defined and aligned to the Project goals for Industry Organizations only, Project activities will support broader sector growth The Ministry will provide an Approval Letter via email to successful Applicants.

The Approval Letter will include the following: a file number, which the Ministry uses to refer to the specific Project the maximum amount of Funds and cost shared percentage approved the Eligible Costs for the Project the date by which the Recipient is required to complete its Project the Claim submission deadline the final report submission information, including deadline The Ministry will provide an email to unsuccessful Applicants setting out a brief explanation of why they were not approved to participate in the Initiative.

A Recipient must submit its Claims to the Ministry for Eligible Costs for completion of its Project via the Ministry’s Claim Portal. A link to the Ministry’s Claim Portal will be provided to a Recipient after the Ministry receives a reply email to the Ministry’s Approval Letter in the form and manner required in that Approval Letter. The Claim must be complete and supported by true copies of all paid invoices and proofs of payment.

A proof of payment must set out in detail: who paid for the good, service or both and their relationship to the Recipient the goods, services or both that were provided Acceptable forms of a proof of payment include: an electronic image of a processed cheque a statement from a banking institution setting out whom the processed cheque was written, or electronic payment made, and the amount; or a credit card or debit card receipt or statement clearly identifying the amount and to whom the payment was made Note: If using a credit card or debit card receipt, cheque or statement as a proof of payment, the number of the credit or debit card as well as all other information, including the costs that are unrelated to the Recipient’s Project should be blacked out.

All Claims and the final report must be submitted no later than 11:59 p. m. EST on the date(s) set out in the Approval Letter.

Any Claims submitted after the required date(s) will be ineligible. 4. 7 Review of Claims and notification The Ministry will review all Claims to determine whether the costs being claimed are eligible.

The Ministry may request additional information from the Recipient to verify the validity of a Claim. Where the Ministry requests additional information, the Recipient will provide that additional information as soon as practicable and no later than any date set out in the request. Failure to meet the requested deadline will result in those costs for which additional information was requested being deemed to be Ineligible Costs.

If the costs being claimed are Eligible Costs, an Initiative Payment will be issued for those claimed costs. If, however, the costs being claimed are Ineligible Costs, those costs will not be reimbursed. The Ministry will notify the Recipient regarding any Ineligible Costs and provide a reason why those costs are Ineligible Costs under the Initiative.

To be eligible to receive an Initiative Payment, a Recipient must : be registered with Transfer Payment Ontario be registered for doing business with the Government of Ontario with Supply Ontario (to receive Initiative Payments) 4. 9.

1 Willful submission of false or misleading information Any Applicant or Recipient that willfully submits false or misleading information under the Initiative will: not be eligible to participate in the Initiative or have their eligibility to participate in the Initiative revoked repay any Initiative Payments received under the Initiative 4. 9.

2 Negligent submission of false or misleading information Any Applicant or Recipient that acted in a negligent manner in allowing false or misleading information to be submitted under the Initiative: may not be eligible to participate in the Initiative or may have their eligibility to participate in the Initiative revoked will repay any Initiative Payment received because of that false or misleading information 4. 9.

3 Abusive toward Ministry staff Any Applicant or Recipient that is abusive toward any Ministry staff responsible for administering the Initiative will receive one written warning regarding their conduct from the Initiative director.

If the Applicant or Recipient continues with their abusive behaviour, the Applicant or Recipient will lose their eligibility to participate in the Initiative or will have their eligibility to participate in the Initiative revoked. 4. 9.

4 Debt owing to Ontario or Canada Any Applicant or Recipient may be found to be ineligible to participate in the Initiative or have their eligibility to participate in the Initiative revoked if the Applicant or Recipient: owes a debt to Ontario or Canada and does not have a repayment plan with Ontario or Canada, including any agents thereof; or is not in compliance with any repayment plan with Ontario or Canada, including any agents thereof 4.

9. 5 Failure to comply with additional terms and conditions of the Initiative Any Recipient that fails to comply with the additional terms and conditions set out under section 5 of the Guidelines may have their eligibility to participate in the Initiative revoked and may be required to repay any Initiative Payments received under the Initiative. 4.

10 Termination of the Initiative The Initiative may be terminated at any time without prior notice. Where the Initiative is terminated, the following will apply: a notice will be placed on the website that hosts the Guidelines setting out the date on which the Initiative is terminated prior to the day on which the Initiative is terminated will, if eligible, be paid after the day on which the Initiative is terminated will not be paid 5.

Additional terms and conditions for the Initiative 5. 1 No conflict of interest A Recipient will carry out the Project and use any Initiative Payments without a potential, perceived or actual Conflict of Interest. In the event a Recipient has a potential, perceived or actual Conflict of Interest, they will report that potential, perceived or actual Conflict of Interest to the Ministry as soon as practicable.

The Recipient will also comply with any directions issued by the Ministry relating to that potential, perceived or actual Conflict of Interest. 5. 2 Compliance with Approval Letter A Recipient will comply with all requirements set out in the Approval Letter.

5. 3 Compliance with Requirements of Law A Recipient must be in compliance with the following for its business operations while participating in the Initiative: environmental-related Requirements of Law labour-related Requirements of Law tax-related Requirements of Law material compliance with all other Requirements of Law 5.

4 Obtaining goods, services or both In the event a Recipient obtains goods, services or both to carry out their Project, that Recipient will: only obtain goods, services or both through a process that: promotes the best value for the money expended is at competitive prices no greater than fair market value after deducting trade discounts or any other discounts available to the Recipient is from Persons that are operating at Arm’s Length from the Recipient own all goods obtained from the Initiative Payment, including any intellectual property rights arising therefrom The Recipient will include provisions in any agreements it enters with a third party to provide goods, services or both to the Recipient for the Recipient’s Project that: requires the third party to meet the same requirements regarding compliance with all Requirements of Law that the Recipient must meet pursuant to section 5.

3 of the Guidelines as it relates to the operation of the third party’s business provides Ontario and Canada, including their respective delegates, with the same audit rights that Ontario and Canada have in relation to the Recipient pursuant to section 5.

10 of the Guidelines for the third party relating to any payment form the Initiative Payment the Recipient makes to that third party for any goods, services or both the third-party provides to the Recipient for the Recipient’s Project A Recipient will retain any assets for which Initiative Payments will be made with a combined value of $1,000 or more for at least two (2) years after the date of the Approval Letter, unless otherwise directed by the Ministry.

The Recipient will not, without the Ministry’s prior written consent, lease or otherwise encumber the assets in which Initiative Payments were made for at least two (2) years after the date of the Approval Letter.

A Recipient will have and maintain at its own expense until the date the Recipient’s Project is required to be completed, all necessary and appropriate insurance that a prudent person carrying out the Project would maintain with insurers having a secure A. M.

Best rating of B+ or better, including commercial general liability insurance on an occurrence basis for third party bodily injury, personal injury and property damage to an inclusive amount of not less than $2,000,000 per occurrence.

The insurance policy or policies will include the following: the indemnified parties as additional insured with respect to any liability arising in the course of the performance of the Recipient’s carrying out the Project a contractual liability coverage endorsement a non-owned automobile coverage with blanket contractual endorsement an employer’s liability coverage endorsement, if the Recipient is not subject to the Workplace Safety Insurance Act, 1997 thirty (30) calendar days’ notice to the indemnified parties of cancellation, termination or material change.

The insurance required under this section 5. 6 of the Guidelines will be in place as of the date set out in the Approval Letter. The Recipient will, upon the Ministry or Canada’s request, provide to the Ministry or Canada, as the case may be, certificates of insurance that confirm the insurance coverage the Recipient is required to have under this section 5.

6 of the Guidelines is in place or other proof that confirms the insurance coverage the Recipient is required to have under this section 5. 6 of the Guidelines is in place.

A Recipient will, at all times defend, indemnify and hold harmless the indemnified parties from and against any and all direct or indirect liability, loss, costs, damages and expenses (including legal, expert and consulting fees) in relation to any causes of actions, actions, claims, demands or other proceedings by whomever made, sustained, incurred, brought or prosecuted, arising out of, or in connection with anything done or omitted to be done by the Recipient or anyone employed by the Recipient, including subcontractors, in the course of the performance by the Recipient or anyone employed by the Recipient, including subcontractors, in carrying out the Project or otherwise in relation to the Project unless solely caused by the negligence or willful misconduct by the indemnified parties.

5. 8 Provision of information An Applicant or Recipient will provide any information that is requested by Ontario or Canada, as the case may be, as soon as practicable after the request has been made and no later than the date set out in the request. 5.

9 Record-keeping requirements A Recipient will keep all financial information related to any Initiative Payment for a period of seven (7) years after the Initiative Payment was deposited into the Recipient’s bank account. Ontario or Canada, including any of their delegates, may, upon providing at least 24 hours’ notice beforehand, conduct an audit of an Applicant or Recipient in relation to the Initiative.

The Applicant or Recipient will provide reasonable assistance to Ontario or Canada, as the case may be, including: access to any Person, place or thing required for auditing purposes as soon as is practicable after the request is made and no later than the date set out in the request allowing for the inspection of any records that relate to the Initiative Payment allowing for the copying of any records that relate to the Initiative Payment the taking of pictures and other recordings 5.

11.

1 Communications by the Recipient A Recipient will not communicate about their Project or the Initiative unless the following has been met: it has obtained the Ministry’s prior written consent to communicate about the Project or the Initiative it follows the Communications Protocol set out in Appendix B for the Initiative any communications about the Project or the Initiative includes a statement that the views set out in those communications are the Recipient’s and do not necessarily reflect the views of Ontario or Canada 5.

11. 2 Publication of information by Ontario and Canada Ontario and Canada may publish information about the Recipient and its Project, including: the name of the Recipient the amount of funding the Recipient is eligible to receive under the Initiative the amount of Initiative Payments the Recipient received a description of the Project 5.

12 Notice regarding change of ownership or control A Recipient will provide notice to Ontario within five (5) Business Days of any discussions the Recipient may have where the Recipient may merge with or be acquired by another Person while participating in the Initiative. 5. 13.

1 Applying to The Initiative does not create right to participate in the Initiative Applying to the Initiative does not create a legal, equitable or other right to participate in the Initiative. 5. 13.

2 Participating in the Initiative does not create right to receive an Initiative Payment Participating in the Initiative does not create a legal, equitable or other right to receive an Initiative Payment. 5. 13.

3 Initiative Payments may be pro-rated Any Initiative Payments owing may be pro-rated in the event there is an insufficient amount of money to pay all Claims submitted under the Initiative. 5. 13.

4 Initiative Payment is income for tax purposes An Initiative Payment is income for the purposes of the Income Tax Act (Canada). 5. 13.

5 No assignment of Project or Initiative Payments A Recipient will not assign their Project or any Initiative Payments the Recipient may be eligible to receive to another Person. 5. 13.

6 Ontario and Canada not responsible for Project or helping Recipient obtain permits Neither Ontario nor Canada is or will be responsible for carrying out the Project or assisting the Recipient with obtaining any permits or other such authorizations to enable the Recipient to carry out the Project. 5. 13.

7 Initiative Payments are part of a social or economic program Initiative Payments being provided under the Initiative are for the administration of social or economic programs or the provision of direct or indirect support to members of the public in connection with social or economic policy. 5. 13.

8 Ontario and applicable federal laws govern The rights and obligations under the Initiative will be governed by Ontario law and applicable federal laws of Canada. 5. 13.

9 Ontario courts to have exclusive jurisdiction Ontario’s courts will have exclusive jurisdiction over any dispute arising under the Initiative. 6. Collection, use and disclosure of Personal Information under the Initiative 6.

1 Collection of Personal Information The collection of certain limited Personal Information is necessary for the proper administration of the Initiative and authorized by the Minster’s Order. 6.

2 Use and disclosure of Social Insurance Number ( SIN ) If a Recipient is eligible to receive an Initiative Payment and is a sole proprietor, partner in a partnership or a member of an unincorporated entity without a CRA BN , as a condition for receiving an Initiative Payment they will consent to the use and disclosure of this Personal Information collected under the Initiative for the purposes of enforcing the terms and conditions of the Initiative, including: confirming the Recipient paid any applicable taxes on the Initiative Payment collecting any Overpayment or any other debt owing to Ontario or Canada arising prior to the Recipient’s participation in the Initiative 6.

3 Collection of additional Personal Information voluntary An Applicant will be asked to provide certain demographic information, such as whether Indigenous Persons, women and/or youth (namely, forty years old or younger) have an ownership interest in the Applicant. Providing this information is voluntary. Should the Applicant decline to provide this information, they will still be eligible to participate in the Initiative.

The responses to the questions will have no impact on the assessment of an Applicant’s Application Form. An Applicant may withdraw their consent at any time and the Ministry will not share the demographic information after the consent has been withdrawn. 6.

4 Use and disclosure of additional Personal Information The Personal Information referred to in paragraph 6. 3 will be shared with Canada and will be used for the purpose of improving access to the Sustainable CAP and addressing barriers to accessing Initiatives under the Sustainable CAP for underrepresented and marginalised groups. 6.

5 Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act Certain information provided under the Initiative may, with the exception of a Recipient’s SIN , be subject to disclosure under the Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act or the Access to Information Act (Canada). Information may also be disclosed by order of a court or tribunal, pursuant to a legal proceeding or as otherwise authorized or required by law. 7.

1 Collection of existing debt In the event a Recipient owes a debt to Ontario or Canada and is eligible to receive an Initiative Payment, that Initiative Payment may be set-off against the debt that the Recipient owes to Ontario or Canada. Any Recipient that receives an Overpayment owes a debt to Ontario and Canada. The Recipient will repay that debt to Ontario in accordance with any directions the Ministry issues to the Recipient.

Ontario may charge interest on any Overpayment at the rate