Overview

The purpose of this Project Category is to build farm-specific knowledge and expertise in support of plant health (for example, conducting pest risk assessments, developing biosecurity procedures and integrated pest management plans, and participating in plant health training).

Definitions

Read the definitions to help you understand the terms used in these guidelines.

How to apply

  1. Read the guidelines on this page.
  2. Download and complete the application form (PDF).
  3. Email your completed application to SustainableCAP3@ontario.ca.

Deadline

Applications will be accepted as of September 19, 2023 on an ongoing basis until no later than January 6, 2025, subject to the availability of funding allocated to the Initiative.

Schedule 3 — Project Category: assessment, planning, education and training (plant health)

1. Purpose of Project Category

The purpose of this Project Category is to build farm-specific knowledge and expertise in support of plant health (for example, conducting pest risk assessments, developing biosecurity procedures and integrated pest management plans, and participating in plant health training).

2. Term of Project Category

See section 2 of the Guidelines.

3. Funding for Project Category

A Recipient is eligible to receive fifty percent (50%) of Eligible Costs up to a maximum of five-thousand ($5,000) per Project under this Project Category.

4. Operation of the Project Category

4.1 Eligible and ineligible activities under the Project Category

4.1.1 Eligible activities

The following activities are eligible under this Project Category:

  1. Third-party training/education regarding national biosecurity standards or commodity-specific risk management program.
  2. First-time assessment and recommendations by a Certified Crop Advisor (CCA) or Integrated Pest Management (IPM) consultant regarding biosecurity, IPM, best management practices, and/or risk management.
  3. Planning and decision support tools (for example, computer software, aerial photos, maps and land resource information) related to the Project.
  4. Baseline lab testing as part of IPM.
4.1.2 Ineligible activities

The following activities are ineligible under this Project Category:

  1. Training, materials and skills development projects that fulfill any academic requirements towards completion of a professional certificate, diploma or degree program.
  2. Ongoing sampling and testing costs to maintain or monitor health or pest status.
  3. Routine sampling and analysis to determine annual requirements for crop nutrients or pest control (for example, crop scouting, annual crop planning).
  4. Repeat services for the same farm property (Premises Identification Number).
  5. Any other activity not set out under section 4.1.1. of this Schedule “3” of the Guidelines.

4.2 Eligible Costs and Ineligible Costs under Project Category

4.2.1 Eligible Costs

The following costs are eligible for the purposes of this Project Category, provided they were reasonably incurred and necessary to complete the Recipient’s Project:

  1. Costs that were incurred after the date that the Project was approved but before the date the Project is to be completed.
  2. 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.
  3. Deposits may be considered if they are made on or after September 19, 2023.
  4. Incremental salary and wages of the Recipients’ employees, excluding severance pay, who are working directly on the Project. Where those employees are not dedicated solely to working on the Project, the salaries and benefits must be pro-rated to reflect that portion of the salaries and benefits that apply to solely working on the Project.
  5. Third-party costs for training/education regarding national biosecurity standards or commodity-specific risk management program, including material for training (for example, training videos for staff, print training booklets).
  6. Certified Crop Advisor (CCA) or Integrated Pest Management (IPM) consulting fees for a first-time assessment and recommendations regarding biosecurity, IPM, best management practices, and/or risk management.
  7. Planning and decision support tools (for example, computer software, aerial photos) related to the Project.
  8. One-time maps and land resource information costs related to the Project.
  9. Baseline lab testing fees as part of IPM.
4.2.2 Ineligible Costs

The following costs are ineligible for the purposes of the Initiative:

  1. Costs to apply to the Project Category.
  2. Costs that were incurred before the Project approval date and after the Project completion date.
  3. 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.
  4. Costs related to the Recipient’s ordinary business operations (for example, day-to-day business operating expenses related directly to producing the goods or services sold by a business, to selling goods and services, costs of running a business).
  5. Deposits (prepayments) for which goods or services are not yet fully received.
  6. Transportation, meal and hotel costs.
  7. Costs related to submitting reports to the Ministry.
  8. Project costs that have already been claimed under other Project Categories.
  9. Common items that can be used for multiple purposes (for example, smart phones, shovels, vehicles).
  10. In-kind costs.
  11. Any other costs that are not set out under section 4.2.1 of this Schedule “3” of the Guidelines.

4.3 Eligibility requirements under the Project Category

To be eligible to participate in this Project Category, an Applicant will meet the following requirements:

  1. Be a Person that is a Primary Producer, Processor or Service Provider.
  2. Provide its:
    1. CRA BN, or
    2. SIN, but only if the Applicant has been found eligible to participate in the Initiative and is also eligible to receive an Initiative Payment
  3. Submit a completed Ministry-approved Application Form to the Ministry in accordance with what is set out under section 4.4 of the Guidelines.
  4. Is undertaking an activity set out in section 4.1.1 of this Schedule “3” of the Guidelines.
  5. Have a valid and up to date Premises ID Number for the business location(s) where the Project is to take place. (To register for or update a Premises ID Number, visit the Provincial Premises Registry).
  6. If applying as a Primary Producer, have a:
    1. valid Farm Business Registration Number (FBRN)
    2. an Order from the Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs Appeal Tribunal exempting the Person from having to have a FBRN
    3. a letter from the Indian Agriculture Program of Ontario
    4. Income statements or other evidence that is acceptable to the Priority Administrator, Priority Operator, Designated Program Operator or Administrator
  7. Be in compliance with the following for its business operations at the time of applying to the Initiative:
    1. environmental-related Requirements Of Law
    2. labour-related Requirements Of Law
    3. tax-related Requirements Of Law
    4. material compliance with all other Requirements Of Law
  8. 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.
  9. 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 Sustainable CAP.
  10. 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.
  11. 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:
    1. project-related information
    2. the Name of the Applicant
    3. the amount of funding Canada and Ontario provided
    4. the outcome of the Project
  12. 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 Project Category

See section 4.4 of the Guidelines.

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 Project Category. 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:

  • Impact of the Project in aligning with biosecurity standards and/or a commodity-specific risk management programs.

The Ministry will provide an Approval Letter via Email to successful Applicants. The Approval Letter will include the following:

  1. a file number, which the Ministry uses to refer to the specific Project
  2. the Project description
  3. the maximum amount of Funds and cost shared percentage approved
  4. the Eligible Costs
  5. the date the Recipient is required to complete its Project
  6. the Claim submission deadline
  7. 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.