The federal and provincial governments are investing up to $1 million over two years through the Sustainable Canadian Agricultural Partnership (Sustainable CAP) to support productivity and growth in Ontario’s maple syrup sector.
The Maple Production Improvement Initiative will provide eligible syrup producers access to cost-shared funding to support a range of activities to enhance their operations. Project costs can be applied retroactively to April 1, 2023, when Sustainable CAP officially launched.
“Ontario’s maple syrup producers continue to deliver exceptional products that are enjoyed here in Canada, and around the world,” said Agriculture Minister Lawrence MacAulay. “This initiative is an investment in future growth,and will bring more operational efficiency to the sector.”
Under the Maple Production Improvement Initiative, applicants can receive up to 50 per cent cost-share funding for eligible costs, to a maximum of $20,000 per project.
Eligible businesses can apply for support through this program starting on November 9, 2023. The initiative will support the purchase and installation of upgraded production equipment for eligible syrup producers, that increase productivity, efficiency and growth, such as reverse osmosis or remote monitoring systems. It will also provide funding to cover a portion of certain woodlot management activities, including tree marking and the development of a forest plan, to assist the operation of eligible businesses.
To be eligible, applicants must have a minimum of 1,000 taps in operation, as of April 1, 2023 and meet other criteria.
Sustainable CAP is a five-year (2023-2028), $3.5-billion investment by federal‐provincial and territorial governments to strengthen competitiveness, innovation, and resiliency of the agriculture, agri‐food and agri‐based products sector. This includes $1 billion in federal programs and activities and a $2.5 billion commitment that is cost-shared 60 per cent federally and 40 per cent provincially/territorially for programs designed and delivered by the provinces and territories.
