Market Diversification and Trade Resiliency Initiative

• Completed Ministry-approved application form
• Written third-party quotes for eligible costs
• Business analysis or market development plan, where required
• Bees Act registration certificate, if applying as a beekeeper

Who is eligible?

• Primary producers
• Processors
• Aquaculture businesses undertaking international marketing activities
• Fish and seafood processors undertaking international marketing activities

Who is not eligible

• Brand owners for equipment and technology projects
• Aquaculture businesses for domestic marketing or product development
• Fish and seafood processors for domestic marketing or product development
• Businesses with 500 or more employees at the project location

Eligible expenses

• Third-party advisory, marketing, and product development services
• Trade show, buyer meeting, travel, meals, and accommodation costs
• New or refurbished equipment and technology, including lease-to-own principal payments
• Shipping, installation, and vendor training costs
• Packaging, labelling, testing, and laboratory analysis costs

Ineligible Costs and Activities

• Application costs
• Costs incurred before approval or after project completion
• Ordinary business operating expenses and staff salaries
• In-kind contributions, alcohol, hospitality, gifts, and incentives
• Equipment replacement, maintenance, and non-integral or multi-use items

Eligible geographic areas

• Ontario

• Target markets are clearly identified based on prior market analysis
• Project rationale supports market diversification and trade resiliency
• Business impacts are quantified, including jobs and sales
• Project workplan is clear and aligned with the proposed activities and quotes

• Step 1: Download the guidelines and the correct application form
  • Read the initiative guidelines.
  • Use the form that matches your project category.
• Step 2: Complete the application form
  • Fill out the form in Adobe Acrobat Reader.
  • Enter the required business, project, and funding details.
• Step 3: Gather supporting documents
  • Collect the required written quotes.
  • Prepare the business analysis or market development plan, if required.
• Step 4: Submit by email
  • Email the completed application and required documents to SustainableCAP1@ontario.ca.

• The Ministry reviews the application for eligibility after submission.
• Completed applications are assessed against eligibility and merit criteria.
• Applicants are notified by email if approved or not approved.
• Approved applicants receive an approval letter with project details and obligations.
• Claims are reviewed before payment is issued, and additional information may be requested.

• Only one application per project category is allowed.
• Projects must be approved before they start.
• Successful applicants receive an approval letter by email.
• Recipients must register with Transfer Payment Ontario and Supply Ontario to receive payments.