2024-2025 Details on transfer payment programs
Table of contents
Promoting Regional Development in Canada's Three Territories (Voted)
Start date: April 1, 2009
End date: Ongoing
Type of transfer payment: Grants and Contributions
Type of appropriation: Annually through Estimates
Fiscal year for terms and conditions: 2014-15, updated 2018-19
Link to departmental result(s): Businesses are developing in the Territories; People and Communities participate in the economy in the Territories
Link to the department's Program Inventory: Business Development; Community Development
Purpose and objectives of transfer payment program: Through this umbrella transfer payment authority, CanNor delivers a range of northern economic development contribution programs / funding initiatives to promote the economic development of the North, in order to strengthen territorial economies and increase participation by Northerners. For 2024-25, these programs / funding initiatives include: Inclusive Diversification and Economic Advancement in the North (IDEANorth), Economic Development Initiative (EDI) and the Tourism Growth Program (TGP).
Expected results:
Expected Results (IDEANorth)
- Immediate Outcomes
- Territorial economic growth and capacity are supported
- Businesses are supported to grow
- Gaps (e.g., lacking tourism infrastructure, lacking commercial space available for businesses) in territorial small-scale economic infrastructure are addressed
- Increased readiness to address territorial foundational infrastructure gaps
- Partnerships established with Northern governments and organizations
- Intermediate Outcomes
- Investments to advance territorial economic growth and sector development and small-scale economic infrastructure contribute to increasing local or regional economic development activity (e.g., new jobs (direct or indirect), increased revenue by local businesses, additional investments, increased number of visitors)
- Pre-construction readiness activities (e.g., feasibility studies, plans, drawings) are used to advance foundational infrastructure projects
- Ultimate Outcomes
- Foundational investments in key sectors of the territorial economies (e.g., mining, arts and culture, tourism, commercial fisheries) contributes to enhance sectoral growth
- Strong, dynamic, diverse innovative and inclusive territorial economies for the benefit of Northerners and all Canadians
Expected Results (EDI)
- Immediate Outcomes
- Increased number of organizations and businesses within Official Languages Minority Communities (OLMCs) implementing economic development initiatives
- Intermediate Outcomes
- Improved business and organizations capacities for economic development initiatives that respond to the need of OLMCs
Expected Results (TGP)
- Immediate Outcome
- Support and financing are available to tourism small and medium sized enterprises and organizations in the Canadian Territories.
- Intermediate Outcome
- Tourism-related revenues increase in the Canadian Territories
- Ultimate Outcome
- Tourism sector continues to grow in the Canadian Territories
Fiscal year of last completed evaluation:
- IDEANorth: 2023-24
- EDI: 2023-24
- TGP: N/A (program started in 2018)
Decision following the results of last evaluation:
- IDEANorth: Underway
- EDI: N/A (program began in 2018)
- TGP: N/A (program began in 2023-24)
Fiscal year of next planned evaluation:
- IDEANorth: 2028-29
- EDI: 2028-29
- TGP: time-limited program, evaluation not required
General targeted recipient groups: Eligible recipients include social enterprises, individuals, businesses, other levels of government and other non-federal entities, public or private, that have an interest in economic development in the North.
Initiatives to engage applicants and recipients: CanNor's economic development officers regularly engage with applicants and funding recipients throughout the project development cycle.
| Type of transfer payment | 2023–24 forecast spending | 2024–25 planned spending | 2025–26 planned spending | 2026–27 planned spending |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Total grants | 5,000,000 | 11,825,500 | 7,500,000 | 7,500,000 |
| Total contributions | 43,769,864 | 22,532,163 | 22,532,163 | 21,737,000 |
| Total other types of transfer payments | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Total program | 48,769,864 | 34,357,663 | 30,032,163 | 29,237,000 |
| Note: The decrease in the 2023-24 and 2024–25 forecast and planned spending is mainly due to the expiration of budgetary authorities in the Budget 2021 programs, such as the Jobs and Growth Fund and Canada Community Revitalization Fund, as well as the conclusion of the Food Policy for Canada – Northern Isolated Communities Initiative. The further decrease in 2025-26 planned spending is mainly due to the scheduled completion of the Regional Training Center for the Qikitani Inuit Association. | ||||
Northern Indigenous Economic Opportunities Programs (Formerly Contributions to Support Aboriginal Participation in the Northern Economy) (Voted)
Start date: April 1, 2014
End date: Ongoing
Type of transfer payment: Contribution
Type of appropriation: Annually through Estimates
Fiscal year for terms and conditions: 2013-14, revised 2017
Link to departmental result(s): People and Communities participate in the economy in the Territories; Businesses are developing in the Territories
Link to the department's Program Inventory: Business Development; Community Development
Purpose and objectives of transfer payment program: Through this transfer payment authority, including through additional funding received through Budget 2022, CanNor delivers the Northern Indigenous Economic Opportunities Program (NIEOP), to create Indigenous employment, support Indigenous entrepreneurship, and help build resilience in Indigenous communities through economic development, leading to territorial economic growth. The enhanced Program comprises three streams:
- Community Readiness and Opportunities Planning (CROP) stream, which provides project-based support to Indigenous communities and organizations for capacity and readiness activities so that communities are able to plan for, pursue and participate in economic opportunities. A Budget 2022 decision also approved additional funds to support the reintroduction of core funding to Indigenous rights-holding organizations.
- Entrepreneurship and Business Development (EBD) stream, which assists Indigenous entrepreneurs, businesses and organizations in the pursuit of economic opportunities for the benefit of Indigenous peoples. The stream includes project-based support for activities that facilitate the establishment or expansion of Indigenous businesses.
- The Northern Indigenous Economic Research Stream, provides project-based support for research, knowledge transfer, and distribution of information to establish a research agenda and target research proposals that can contribute to the territorial Indigenous business ecosystem. This transfer payment program may be conditionally or unconditionally repayable.
Considerations for repayability are outlined in the program's terms and conditions.
Expected results:
- Immediate Outcomes
- Northern Indigenous governments and northern communities have the capacity to plan the economic development of their community or build new partnerships that contribute to grow their economies
- Economic development partnerships are established with Northern Indigenous organizations and northern communities
- Northern Indigenous entrepreneurs and businesses are provided with the support needed to respond to economic development opportunities
- Northern Indigenous communities, governments, businesses and entrepreneurs have the opportunity to access financial supports in order to position themselves to benefit from economic opportunities
- Northern Indigenous entrepreneurs and businesses benefit from a supportive business environment and have easier access to commercial financing
- Increased availability of capacity development support for Indigenous Northerners
- Intermediate Outcomes
- Indigenous Northerners are provided with the training and capacity development support needed to respond to economic development opportunities
- Northern Indigenous communities and governments (local or regional) have the economic infrastructure to support economic development and generate more revenue from economic development
- Strong, stable territorial economy for the benefit of Indigenous Northerners and all Canadians
- Increase evidence available for decision-making
- Ultimate Outcomes
- Indigenous entrepreneurs, businesses and communities benefit from Northern economic growth and fully participate in it
- Increased economic development and diversification driven by investments in Indigenous economic development
- NIEOP continues to support activities for prosperity and a strong, stable economy in the territories for the benefit of Indigenous peoples in the region
Fiscal year of last completed evaluation: 2023-24
Decision following the results of last evaluation: Underway
Fiscal year of next planned evaluation: 2028-2029
General targeted recipient groups: Indigenous governments, communities, organizations, and businesses in the territories
Initiatives to engage applicants and recipients: CanNor will continue to engage program recipients and stakeholders regarding the inclusion of capacity-related funding. In addition, CanNor's economic development officers regularly engage with applicants and funding recipients throughout the project development cycle. As part of initiatives under the Northern Indigenous Economic Research Stream, CanNor will also identify research priorities through engagement with Indigenous communities and educational institutions. It is expected that the first signed contribution agreements will start in 2024-25.
| 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 | 13,200,000 | 13,200,000 | 13,200,000 | 13,200,000 |
| Total other types of transfer payments | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Total program | 13,200,000 | 13,200,000 | 13,200,000 | 13,200,000 |
Regional Economic Growth Through Innovation
Start date: October 18, 2018
End date: REGI — CanNor specific funding until March 31, 2023
Type of transfer payment: Grants and Contribution
Type of appropriation: Annually through Estimates
Fiscal year for terms and conditions: 2019-20
Link to departmental result(s): Businesses are developing in the Territories
Link to the department's Program Inventory: Business Development
Purpose and objectives of transfer payment program: The Regional Economic Growth Through Innovation (REGI) initiative builds on the objectives of the Innovation and Skills Plan. The goal of REGI is to provide streamlined, nationally consistent and yet regionally tailored support for business productivity and scale-up, particularly for SMEs and women entrepreneurs and other underrepresented groups, and assist the enhancement of regional industrial and technology clusters and regional innovation ecosystems. Contributions issued under REGI may be unconditionally or conditionally repayable, or non-repayable.
Expected results:
- Businesses are adopting innovations and commercializing innovative products or services
- Regional Innovation Ecosystems are expanding the number of supported businesses
- Women entrepreneurs have access to programs and services to support business development and growth
Fiscal year of last completed evaluation: 2023-24
Decision following the results of last evaluation: Continuation
Fiscal year of next planned evaluation: 2028-2029
General targeted recipient groups: Incorporated for-profit companies, not-for-profit organizations, industry associations, post-secondary institutions, Indigenous organizations, business accelerators, incubators, women-led businesses, angel networks; social enterprises; a group of eligible recipients such as an industry association or consortium; a municipality and all other municipal-type organizations; and a federal or provincial crown corporation/ organization or any other entity created by the provincial government or a provincial department.
Initiatives to engage applicants and recipients: CanNor's economic development officers regularly engage with applicants and funding recipients throughout the project development cycle.
| Type of transfer payment | 2023–24 forecast spending | 2024–25 planned spending | 2025–26 planned spending | 2026–27 planned spending |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Total grants | 168,168 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Total contributions | 252,252 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Total other types of transfer payments | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Total program | 420,420 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Note: The REGI program was provided one year of top-up funding in 2023-24. Sunsetting funding is subject to government decisions to extend, reduce, or enhance funding. The outcomes of such decisions would be reflected in the Agency's future budget exercises and Estimates documents. | ||||