ARCHIVED - Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency

1)  Transfer Payment Program:

Atlantic Innovation Fund – Voted

2)  Start Date:

3)  End Date:

May 10, 2001

March 31, 2010

4)  Description of Transfer Payment Program:

The Atlantic Innovation Fund (AIF) focuses on increasing research and development linked to economic development and commercialization objectives in areas that are of strategic importance to the region, particularly those that support the growth of strategic sectors/clusters.

The AIF emphasizes building an Atlantic Canadian system of innovation, including components that bridge the gap between research institutions and the marketplace, and encouraging synergies among the various components of this system through partnerships, alliances and networks.

The AIF also supports research and development projects that focus on the areas of natural sciences, applied sciences, as well as in social sciences, humanities, arts and culture, where these are linked explicitly to the development of technology‑based products, processes or services or their commercialization, thereby strengthening the region’s system of innovation.

More information on the AIF can be found at http://www.acoa-apeca.gc.ca/e/financial/aif/index.shtml.

5)  Strategic Outcomes:

Competitive and sustainable Atlantic enterprises, with emphasis on those of small and medium size.

6)  Expected Results:

The AIF supports strengthened innovation and commercialization capacity in Atlantic Canada. Immediate results include the following.

Support Climate

Institutions encourage applied research with commercialization intent or with a focus on resulting products.

Institutions manage intellectual property in ways that support commercialization.

Meaningful partnerships and alliances are created between institutions, or between institutions and private sector (Atlantic, national, international).

Proponents in institutions and firms develop sound project management practices.

Participation

Proposals received reflect the ACOA sectoral priorities for Atlantic Canada.

Appropriate leveraging from other sources.

Increased research and development activity.

Increased private sector participation in research and development (Atlantic‑based and others).

7)
Forecast Spending 2007‑2008

8)
Planned Spending 2008-2009

9)
Planned Spending 2009‑2010

10)
Planned Spending 2010‑2011

11)  Program Activity:  Fostering the development of institutions and enterprises, with emphasis on those of small and medium size

12)  Total Grants

12)  Total Contributions

12)  Total Other Types of Transfer Payments

13)  Total for Program Activity

14)  Planned Audits and Evaluations:

Follow up in respect of previous audit recommendations and the related management action plans will be completed in 2008-2009, 2009-2010, and 2010-2011.

Audit of Agency G&C payment system during fiscal year 2008-2009.

1)  Transfer Payment Program:

Business Development Program – Voted

2)  Start Date:

3)  End Date:

July 25, 1995

March 31, 2010

4)  Description of Transfer Payment Program:

The Business Development Program (BDP) provides repayable financial assistance to small and medium‑sized enterprises (SMEs) to enable them to invest in projects related to innovation, skills development and trade activities, and to support certain capital costs for establishment of new SMEs, and expansion and modernization of existing SMEs.  Through its Business Support element, the BDP provides financial assistance to not‑for‑profit organizations, associations and institutions for activities that support economic development, entrepreneurship, tourism, trade, innovation, community economic development, and regional economic development in general.

More information on the BDP can be found at http://www.acoa-apeca.gc.ca/e/financial/business.shtml.

5)  Strategic Outcomes:

Competitive and sustainable Atlantic enterprises, with emphasis on those of small and medium size.

Dynamic and sustainable communities for Atlantic Canada.

Policies and programs that strengthen the Atlantic economy.

6)  Expected Results:

BDP activities support ACOA’s mandate to:

• increase the number of successful businesses;
• increase the successful expansion and modernization of SMEs;
• increase the number of jobs (new and maintained); and
• enhance the business environment in Atlantic Canada.

7)
Forecast Spending 2007‑2008

8)
Planned Spending 2008‑2009

9)
Planned Spending 2009‑2010

10)
Planned Spending 2010‑2011

11)  Program Activity:  Fostering the development of institutions and enterprises, with emphasis on those of small and medium size

12)  Total Grants

12)  Total Contributions

12)  Total Other Types of Transfer Payments

13)  Total for Program Activity

11)  Program Activity:  Fostering the economic development of Atlantic communities

12)  Total Grants

12)  Total Contributions

12)  Total Other Types of Transfer Payments

13)  Total for Program Activity

11)  Program Activity:  Policy

12)  Total Grants

12)  Total Contributions

12)  Total Other Types of Transfer Payments

13)  Total for Program Activity

14)  Planned Audits and Evaluations:

Follow up in respect of previous audit recommendations and the related management action plans will be completed in 2008-2009, 2009-2010, and 2010-2011.

Audit of Agency G&C payment system during fiscal year 2008-2009.

1)  Transfer Payment Program:

Community Futures Program – Voted

2)  Start Date:

3)  End Date:

May 18, 1995

October 2, 2010

4)  Description of Transfer Payment Program:

Provides financial and technical assistance to SMEs in rural areas, and is delivered through the 41 Community Business Development Corporations (CBDCs) across the Atlantic region.

More information on these services provided through the CBDCs can be found on ACOA’s website at http://www.acoa-apeca.gc.ca/e/financial/community.shtml.

5)  Strategic Outcomes:

Dynamic and sustainable communities for Atlantic Canada.

6)  Expected Results:

Assisting selected communities in the development of their economies and supporting the growth of small businesses, the Community Futures Program’s short‑term results are:

enhanced marketing to increase awareness and use of Community Futures organizations;

enhanced business development services (e.g. information, counselling, referrals, training);

improved access to capital and leveraged capital through loans, loan guarantees and equity investments to businesses; and

strengthened community strategic plans and more effective implementation through projects, partnerships and other community economic development initiatives.

7)
Forecast Spending 2007‑2008

8)
Planned Spending 2008‑2009

9)
Planned Spending 2009‑2010

10)
Planned Spending 2010‑2011

11)  Program Activity:   Fostering the economic development of Atlantic communities

12)  Total Grants

12)  Total Contributions

12)  Total Other Types of Transfer Payments

13)  Total for Program Activity

14)  Planned Audits and Evaluations:

Follow up in respect of previous audit recommendations and the related management action plans will be completed in 2008-2009, 2009-2010, and 2010-2011.

Audit of Agency G&C payment system during fiscal year 2008-2009.

1)  Transfer Payment Program:

Innovative Communities Fund – Voted

2)  Start Date:

3)  End Date:

April 1, 2005

March 31, 2010

4)  Description of Transfer Payment Program:

Working with communities at various stages of economic development, this program supports non‑commercial/non‑profit strategic initiatives that target the economic development needs of communities and stimulate economic development.  The Innovative Communities Fund (ICF) invests in strategic projects that build the economies of Atlantic Canada’s communities.  Working in collaboration with Atlantic communities and stakeholders, the ICF builds on the strengths of communities and provides the tools needed to identify opportunities available for their sustainable economic growth.

More information can be found at http://www.acoa-apeca.gc.ca/e/financial/aip/community.shtml.

5)  Strategic Outcomes:

Dynamic and sustainable communities for Atlantic Canada.

6)  Expected Results:

The ICF targets both developmental and long‑term program outcomes. Short‑term outcomes aimed at the economic development needs of rural communities are:

• communities access the funding and/or expertise they require to develop the proposals;
• partnerships developed; and
• increased citizen engagement and buy‑in.

In the longer term, the expected results are:

• improved community economic development planning capacity;
• improved project management capacity; and
• project partners are engaged.

7)
Forecast Spending 2007‑2008

8)
Planned Spending 2008‑2009

9)
Planned Spending 2009‑2010

10)
Planned Spending 2010‑2011

11)  Program Activity:   Fostering the economic development of Atlantic communities

12)  Total Grants

12)  Total Contributions

12)  Total Other Types of Transfer Payments

13)  Total for Program Activity

14)  Planned Audits and Evaluations:

Follow up in respect of previous audit recommendations and the related management action plans will be completed in 2008-2009, 2009-2010, and 2010-2011.

Audit of Agency G&C payment system during fiscal year 2008-2009..