Closed
Source verified May 28, 2026
Dairy Direct Payment Program
Direct payments for eligible dairy producers
Latest source updateLast Update: May 16, 2026Latest change: The program now shows a full registration form with instructions, direct deposit requirements, privacy notices, and updated terms and payment conditions.View change
Latest source update
Last Update: May 16, 2026
Latest change: The program now shows a full registration form with instructions, direct deposit requirements, privacy notices, and updated terms and payment conditions.
Dairy Direct Payment Program form and terms updated
The Dairy Direct Payment Program content now includes a complete registration form and supporting terms, replacing the prior limited form-related content. The update adds submission instructions, applicant information fields, direct deposit documentation, mailing/fax return details, privacy language, and program terms including the March 31, 2026 expiry date and payment conditions. The visible changes also expand the applicant details and self-identification information required to complete the form, and they clarify how payments are issued and validated. Contact and portal details appear to remain the same on the main pages, while the PDF form introduces the substantive program guidance.
Funding available
Varies by project
Deadline
March 31, 2026
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.
/100
Opportunity Score
Moderate potential, but conditions must align.
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
2
Validate your eligibility
Official resources
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)