Closed
Source change captured:
Dairy Direct Payment Program
Direct payments for eligible dairy producers
Get notified when Dairy Direct Payment Program reopens
Location
Canada
Overview
The program provides direct payments to eligible dairy producers based on milk quota. It supports supply-managed cow’s milk producers affected by recent international trade agreements, with a total of $1.2 billion available over six years.
Receipt of requests is now closed
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At a glance
Funding available
Financing goals
- No objectives are currently available
Eligible Funding
- Varies by project
Funds Providers
Eligible candidates
Eligible Industries
- All industries
Location
- Canada
Legal structures
- Sole proprietorship
- Non-financial cooperative
- For-profit business
Annual revenue
- All revenue ranges
Organisation size
- All organization sizes
Audience
- Rural or Northern Residents
Next Steps
1
Determine your project
Availability timeline
2026
Periods: 1
Sources and recorded changes
- Source change captured
- Change recorded
- Record updated
A captured source change or record update does not confirm eligibility. Check the funder’s current rules before applying.
Program portal link update
The registration guidance now says the Program Portal link has been temporarily removed and will be replaced soon, and the PDF form page has simplified download and opening instructions.
The “Before you register” page now says the Program Portal link has been temporarily removed and that a new link will be available soon. The same page also removes the direct portal URL from the anti-phishing and troubleshooting instructions, while the call-centre contact details remain listed. The registration form page also reorganizes its PDF guidance, simplifying the instructions for downloading, saving, and opening the form.
Eligibility
Who is eligible?
- Supply-managed cow’s milk producers.
Who is not eligible
- Producers of goat, sheep, or water buffalo milk.
- Applicants without a valid dairy license.
- Educational organizations without a valid dairy quota license.
- Research institutions without a valid dairy quota license.
Eligible expenses
There are eligible expenses for this grant. Eligible expenses include:
- Direct payments to eligible supply-managed cow’s milk producers
Ineligible Costs and Activities
- Other dairy producers, such as goat, sheep, or water buffalo producers.
- Applicants without a valid dairy license.
- Educational organizations without a valid dairy quota license.
- Research institutions without a valid dairy quota license.
- Producers who no longer hold quota as of August 31, 2025.
Eligible geographic areas
- Newfoundland and Labrador
- Prince Edward Island
- Nova Scotia
- New Brunswick
- Quebec
- Ontario
- Manitoba
- Saskatchewan
- Alberta
- British Columbia
Selection criteria
There are evaluation and selection criteria for this grant.
- Dairy producers must be supply-managed cow’s milk producers.
- Registrations must be signed and received by March 31, 2024, to receive a payment.
- Eligible producers must register every year of the program to receive a payment.
How to apply
- Step 1: Review eligibility
- Confirm that you meet the program requirements.
- Step 2: Prepare registration
- Read the letter and pamphlet received by mail.
- Use the Program Portal or the PDF registration form.
- Step 3: Submit registration
- Log in to the Program Portal and complete registration online, or print and send the completed PDF form by mail or fax.
- Mail the form to the Canadian Dairy Commission in Ottawa, Ontario, or fax it to the number provided by the program.
Processing and Agreement
- Registrations are reviewed after submission to verify that all required questions and declarations were completed correctly.
- The program may contact applicants for additional information if needed.
- Eligible producers receive payment from the Canadian Dairy Commission.
- Payments are non-repayable and are treated as income in the year received.
Additional information
Here are additional relevant details for this grant:
- The 2023-24 payment allocation for each province is based on the percentage share of the national quota (P10), ensuring proportional distribution relative to milk production.
- This program is facilitated by the Canadian Dairy Commission (CDC), which collaborates with provincial milk marketing boards to streamline the distribution of funds.
- Payments are calculated based on the licensed quota holders' percentage of provincial quota holdings.
- From 2019-23, the program has previously disbursed $1.75 billion under similar compensation schemes related to other trade agreements such as CETA and CPTPP.
- The intake period for the current funding year is closed; however, producers must register annually to qualify for payments.
Frequently Asked Questions about the Dairy Direct Payment Program Program
What is the Dairy Direct Payment Program?
The program provides direct payments to eligible dairy producers based on milk quota. It supports supply-managed cow’s milk producers affected by recent international trade agreements, with a total of $1.2 billion available over six years.
Who is eligible for the Dairy Direct Payment Program program?
To be eligible for the Dairy Direct Payment Program program, you must:
Supply-managed cow’s milk producer
Valid dairy quota license
Annual registration required
Who can I contact for more information about the Dairy Direct Payment Program?
You can contact Canadian Dairy Commission (CDC).
Where is the Dairy Direct Payment Program available?
The Dairy Direct Payment Program program is available across Canada.
Is the Dairy Direct Payment Program a grant, loan, or tax credit?
Dairy Direct Payment Program is a Grant and Funding
Who are the financial supporters of the Dairy Direct Payment Program?
Dairy Direct Payment Program is funded by Canadian Dairy Commission (CDC)