The Sustainable Canadian Agricultural Partnership (Sustainable CAP) is a new $3.5-billion, 5-year agreement (April 1, 2023 to March 31, 2028), between the federal, provincial and territorial governments to strengthen the competitiveness, innovation, and resiliency of the agriculture, agri‐food and agri‐based products sector. The agreement includes $1 billion in federal programs and activities and $2.5 billion in cost-shared programs and activities funded by federal, provincial and territorial governments.
Sustainable CAP marks an ambitious path forward and positions Canada's agriculture and agri-food sector for continued success as a world leader in economically, environmentally and socially sustainable agriculture.
Sustainable CAP focuses on the 5 key priority areas agreed to in The Guelph Statement:
Sustainable CAP includes $500 million in new funds, which is a 25% increase in cost-shared funding from the Canadian Agricultural Partnership, (ending March 31, 2023).
Sustainable CAP provides strong support for science, research and innovation to:
Key areas and programs support sector growth:
Accelerates the pace of innovation by providing funding and support for pre-commercial science activities and research that benefits the agriculture and agri-food sector and Canadians
Helps foster public trust about the safety of Canadian agri-food products, and how they are produced
The Sustainable CAP invests $2.5 billion to support region-specific agriculture programs and services that are tailored to meet regional needs. These programs are cost-shared between the federal and provincial/territorial governments with the federal government contributing 60% of the costs of the program and the provincial/territorial government contributing 40%.
The programs are developed and delivered by the provinces and territories. The programs' parameters and priorities are jointly defined by federal, provincial and territorial governments.
Sustainable CAP introduces the Resilient Agricultural Landscape Program, a $250-million cost-shared program to help producers conserve and enhance the resiliency of agricultural landscapes. This new program will use an ecological goods and services payment approach to support on-farm adoption and will complement other programs, such as the Agricultural Climate Solution On-Farm Climate Action Fund, to address climate change.
To best support producers with on-farm adoption of beneficial practices while reflecting local conditions and regional needs, the program will be designed and delivered by provinces and territories.
SOURCE: Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada