The Canadian Agricultural Partnership (CAP) is a five-year federal-provincial cost-share program running from 2023 to 2028. It replaces Growing Forward 3 and aims to support Ontario farm businesses through various funding streams, including Business Risk Management and Competitive & Innovative Ontario programs. The CAP is jointly administered by the Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs (OMAFRA) and Agricorp in Ontario.
To qualify for CAP grants in Ontario, your farm business must meet certain criteria:
Note that hobby farms and non-agricultural businesses are not eligible for CAP funding. Projects must also not have started before receiving approval from the relevant program administrators.
The CAP offers several programs under its Competitive & Innovative Ontario (CI Ontario) stream, which includes capital investments, research initiatives, and market development projects:
The CAP typically covers up to 60% of eligible costs, with the remaining 40% funded by the applicant. However, the cost-share ratio can vary depending on the specific program:
To apply for CAP grants, you will need to follow these steps:
For more information on the Canadian Agricultural Partnership, visit OMAFRA's official CAP page at Ontario.ca/CAP.
Ontario farm businesses with verifiable agricultural commodity sales meeting the minimum gross farm receipts threshold (typically $7,000 annually, though some programs have higher thresholds). You must produce eligible agricultural commodities and be registered with Agricorp or OMAFRA. Hobby farms and lifestyle properties typically do not qualify.
Grant amounts vary by program stream. Cost-share programs typically cover 60% of eligible project costs up to a per-project maximum. For On-Farm Climate Action Fund projects, maximums ranged from $75,000 to $350,000 depending on practice type. Check the current program guide on Ontario.ca or Agricorp.com for 2026-specific caps, as amounts are adjusted annually.
Yes. OMAFRA has beginning farmer streams within CAP for producers in their first 5-10 years of operation. Beginning farmer status may make you eligible for higher cost-share ratios on some programs. You still need to meet minimum agricultural sales thresholds.
It depends on the program. Some CI Ontario capital programs cover precision agriculture equipment, irrigation infrastructure, on-farm food safety systems, and environmental projects. General farm equipment replacement is typically not funded. Consult the specific program guide on Agricorp.com or ontario.ca for eligible capital expenses.
Processing times vary by program. Business risk management programs (AgriStability, AgriInsurance) have rolling enrollment periods. Competitive programs under CI Ontario typically have application windows and can take 8-16 weeks for approval after the intake closes. Projects cannot start before receiving written approval — starting early risks your entire application.