Ministerial Initiative Agri-Environmental Compensation
QC, Canada
Supports sustainable agricultural practices in Quebec
grant_single|update March 18, 2025
grant_single_labels|summary
grant_single|eligibleFinancing
- grant_single|fromMinToMax
grant_single|deadlines
- grant_single|grantStatusClosed
grant_single|financingType
Grant and Funding
grant_single|eligibleIndustries
- grant_single|allIndustries
grant_single|grantors
- Sustainable Canadian Agricultural Partnership (SCAP)
- La Financière agricole (FADQ)
grant_single|status
grant_card_status|closed
grant_single_labels|preview
The Ministerial Initiative Agri-Environmental Compensation provides up to $50,000 to support agricultural enterprises in adopting environmentally beneficial practices that surpass regulatory requirements. Eligible activities include soil protection, reduction of herbicide use, improved management of fertilizers, and fostering biodiversity.
grant_single_labels|terms_and_conditions
- The financial aid is distributed across a maximum of four installments.
- The first installment, which is an advance payment equal to 40% of the potential financial aid, is contingent upon the submission and acceptance of declarations concerning exploitable land areas and eligible annual crops, along with confirmation of participation.
- The second installment may amount to 30% of the potential financial aid, conditional upon the submission and acceptance of the first annual declaration regarding areas with implemented admissible practices. Any leftover amount from this installment may be added to the next payment.
- The third installment also may reach up to 30% of the potential financial aid, with any remaining amount from previous payments added. This payment hinges on the submission and acceptance of the second annual declaration concerning admissible practice areas. The total financial aid dispensed in conjunction with this installment could potentially reach the maximum under the Initiative, dependent on budgetary allocations.
- The fourth installment corresponds to the financial aid granted based on the number of hours of eligible training completed, payable if the cumulative aid from earlier payments did not reach the maximum defined by the Initiative.
- The potential financial assistance can be no more than $50,000 per applicant and cannot be less than $1,500.
- If applicant conditions are not met, including failure to maintain participation or to submit required annual declarations by specified deadlines, eligibility for future participation is revoked, and previously received funds must be returned.
- The total annual amount for applied admissible practices must increase by at least 10% in the second participation year compared to the first to fully qualify for financial aid. Failure to meet this growth condition leads to adjustments or restrictions on financial assistance, per specific thresholds.
grant_single_labels|projects
- Protection of soils during the off-season with practices like cover crops and retaining crop residues.
- Reduction in the use of herbicides through methods such as localized spraying and physical or mechanical weeding.
- Improved management of fertilizing materials by reducing the use of nitrogen mineral fertilizers.
- Diversification of crops to reduce reliance on specific crops like corn and soy.
- Implementation of biodiversity-friendly improvements, including expanded riparian buffer zones and establishing wooded lanes or islands.
grant_single|admissibleProjectsExample
$ 20,000
Launching a digital literacy program for seniors
$ 90,000
Installation of renewable energy systems in urban buildings
$ 25,000
Development of a community garden and learning space
$ 85,000
Construction of an eco-friendly coworking space
$ 55,000
Creating a mobile app to support mental health services
$ 20,000
Implementation of an inclusive arts program for youth
grant_single_labels|admissibility
- The applicant must be an agricultural enterprise registered with the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food.
- The enterprise must maintain its registration number (NIM) throughout its participation in the Initiative.
- The applicant must be a property owner or tenant of agricultural land located in Quebec.
- The applicant must commit to applying at least one agro-environmental practice among the eligible practices during their participation period.
- The applicant must have completed or commit to completing an agro-environmental risk assessment before the end of their participation period.
- The applicant must enroll in a single participation period at a time.
- If previously registered, the applicant must have completed their participation in the previous Ministerial Initiative on Compensating Agri-Environmental Practices.
- The applicant must not be listed in the Register of Ineligible Enterprises for Public Contracts (RENA).
- The applicant must not have failed to meet obligations for previous financial aid within the past two years after being duly notified by the minister.
- The applicant must comply with the Charter of the French language (RLRQ, chapter C-11).
- The applicant must not be under protection of the Companies' Creditors Arrangement Act or the Bankruptcy and Insolvency Act.
- No federal officeholder or civil servant subject to the Conflict of Interest Act can benefit from the agreement unless in compliance with legislative stipulations.
grant_eligibility_criteria|who_can_apply
- Agricultural enterprises registered with the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (MAPAQ) in Quebec.
- Enterprises owning or leasing agricultural lands in Quebec.
grant_eligibility_criteria|who_cannot_apply
- Entities listed in the Public Contracts Ineligibility Register (RENA).
- Applicants who have failed to meet obligations under previous financial support agreements with the minister within the last two years.
- Entities unable to comply with the Charter of the French Language requirements.
- Entities under protection of the Companies' Creditors Arrangement Act or the Bankruptcy and Insolvency Act.
- Current or former federal public office holders or officials bound by conflict of interest regulations who have not complied with related legislative or policy requirements.
- Members of the House of Commons or Senate benefiting financially from the contribution, unless permitted by the Parliament of Canada Act.
grant_eligibility_criteria|eligible_expenses
- Implementation of practices for the protection of soils off-season, such as cover crops or maintaining crop residues.
- Reduction in the use of herbicides, including localized spraying and use of intercropping methods.
- Improved management of fertilizers, specifically reducing the use of nitrogen fertilizers.
- Diversification of crops to reduce the proportion of land planted with corn and soy.
- Implementation of biodiversity-friendly arrangements, such as tree or shrub-lined buffer strips and wooded islands.
grant_eligibility_criteria|zone
- Bas-Saint-Laurent
- Saguenay–Lac-Saint-Jean
- Abitibi-Témiscamingue
- Côte-Nord
- Nord-du-Québec
- Gaspésie–Îles-de-la-Madeleine
- Capitale-Nationale
- Outaouais
- Chaudière-Appalaches
- Mauricie
- Estrie
- Centre-du-Québec
- Montérégie
- Montréal
- Laval
- Lanaudière
- Laurentides
grant_single_labels|register
- Step 1: Prepare to ApplyReview all the required documents and information related to the grant on La Financière agricole du Québec's website, specifically under their "services transactionnels" section.
- If you do not have an online client file, contact the service centre in your region to create one.
- Step 2: Register for ParticipationVisit the website of La Financière agricole du Québec to access the registration form when the call for participation opens.
- Complete the registration form before the specified deadline. Ensure all information is accurate and up-to-date.
- Step 3: Submit ApplicationEnsure that the declaration of exploitable lands and admissible annual crop lands is completed during registration.
- Once registered, submit the required documentation and information through your online client file.
- Check for any additional documentation requests and timelines or deadlines set by La Financière agricole du Québec.
- Step 4: Confirm Participation and ComplianceEnsure compliance with all requirements including annual declarations of fertilized areas and biodiversity-enhancing adaptations by November 1st each year.
- Submit the required declarations and any additional supporting documents by the specified deadlines, typically not later than December 15 each year.
grant_single_labels|otherInfo
- The financial aid is subject to the adoption of necessary budgetary credits by the National Assembly.
- A Ministerial representative or an authorized person must be allowed to visit the location where eligible practices are applied during normal business hours for verifications or technical evaluations.
- For five years after the conclusion of participation, the applicant must permit financial or other necessary verifications by the Minister’s representative and maintain all relevant documents.
- The privacy of personal and confidential information is safeguarded in accordance with applicable laws.
- The total assistance may be adjusted based on budgetary credits available.
- Applicants must emphasize the contributions of the Ministry and Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada in any project promotion activities.
- The aid is non-transferable except with written authorization from the Minister or their representative.
- Financial aid disbursed can be deducted and applied against the applicant’s debts to La Financière agricole du Québec or the Minister.
- The Initiative is effective from February 17, 2025, to March 31, 2027, or until budget exhaustion, whichever comes first.
- The Minister reserves the right to modify or limit the number of participation requests based on budgetary constraints.
