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Name of Horizontal Initiative: Agricultural Flexibility Fund
Name of lead department: Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada (AAFC)
Lead department program activity:
The Agricultural Flexibility Fund (AgriFlexibility) contributes to several program activities within AAFC: On-Farm Action; Food Safety and Biosecurity Risk Management Systems; Trade and Market Development; Science, Innovation and Adoption; and Agri-Business Development.
Start date of the Horizontal Initiative: June 18, 2009
End date of the Horizontal Initiative: March 31, 2014
Total federal funding allocation (start to end date): $313.4 million
Description of the Horizontal Initiative (including funding agreement):
The Agricultural Flexibility Fund is a five-year fund that helps implement new initiatives, both federally and in partnership with provinces, territories and industry. AgriFlexibility will improve the sector's competitiveness and assist the sector adapt to pressures through non-business risk-management measures to take advantage of existing and emerging opportunities to address market pressures. These initiatives are consistent with Canada's international trade interests and obligations, complement measures being implemented under the Growing Forward policy framework, and contribute to a competitive and sustainably profitable Canadian agricultural and agri-food sector.
Three federal-only initiatives under AgriFlexibility have been announced and are at various stages of implementation. They are: Livestock Auction Traceability Initiative (LATI); AgriProcessing Initiative (API); and Canada Brand Advocacy Initiative.
Also funded under the Agricultural Flexibility Fund is a study to provide national and current baseline estimates on the prevalence and concentrations of Campylobacter and Salmonella in broiler chicken. This study undertaken by the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) will be useful in the development of pathogen reduction programs, and serve as benchmarks against which the industry could measure the effectiveness of its Hazard Analysis of Critical Control Points (HACCP) programs and/or intervention measures over time.
The program links to the departmental strategic outcome of a competitive agriculture, agri-food and agri-based products sector that proactively manages risk and the Government of Canada's outcome of Strong Economic Growth.
Shared outcomes:
The Agricultural Flexibility Fund shared outcomes are:
The CFIA baseline study contributes to the following shared outcome: food safety, biosecurity, traceability, and risk management measures are improved.
Governance structure:
Federal-Provincial-Territorial (FPT) questions related to AgriFlexibility are discussed at the FPT Policy Assistant Deputy Ministers' (ADM) Committee.
The Director General Policy and Programs Management Committee reviews proposals and makes a recommendation to one of the Corporate Executive Committees: the Policy and Programs Management Committee (PPMC) or Horizontal Management Committee (HMC). It is comprised of Directors General from across the Department and is co-chaired by the Director General of Agriculture Transformation Programs Directorate, Farm Financial Programs Branch and the Director General, Innovation Directorate, Research Branch. This Committee reviews proposals and makes a recommendation to PPMC or HMC.
Through a memorandum of understanding between the CFIA and AAFC, the Agriculture Transformation Program Directorate monitors the progress of the CFIA baseline study by reviewing progress reports produced by the Agency every six months against specific deliverables and performance indicators.
Planning Highlights:
In 2012-13, AAFC plans to continue delivering AgriFlexibility, its three federal-only and one federal-provincial initiative. The three federal-only initiatives are the LATI, API, Canada Brand Advocacy Initiative, and the federal-provincial initiative is the Interprovincial Meat Hygiene Pilot Project.
Federal Partner: AAFC
Federal Partner Program Activity | Name of Program for Federal Partner | ($ millions) | |
---|---|---|---|
Total Allocation (from Start to End Date) | Planned Spending for 2012-13 |
||
Various program activities | Agricultural Flexibility Fund | 311.4 | 93.5 |
Total | 311.4 | 93.5 |
For more information, visit: Agricultural Flexibility Fund
Expected results by program:
Producers/partners/industry implement actions to improve their environmental practices
Performance Indicator and Target:
Producers/partners/industry implement actions to reduce their costs of production
Performance Indicator and Target:
Improved food safety, biosecurity, traceability, and risk management measures
Performance Indicator and Target:
Increase in the number of agri-processing facilities adopting new technologies and processes
Performance Indicator and Target:
Increased exports of Canadian product in selected markets with growth opportunities
Performance Indicator and Target:
Maintained exports of Canadian products in threatened markets
Performance Indicator and Target:
Agri-industry implement actions to respond to market threats and/or take advantage of emerging market opportunities
Performance Indicators and Targets:
Increase in value-chain efforts focussed on innovation and/or adaptation
Performance Indicator and Target:
Enhanced traceability capabilities at high-risk, high through-put co-mingling sites
Performance Indicator and Target:
Maintain or increase value-chain innovation and adaptation; producers/partners exploit existing and develop new opportunities
Performance Indicator and Target:
Federal Partner: CFIA
Federal Partner Program Activity | Name of Program for Federal Partner | ($ millions) | |
---|---|---|---|
Total Allocation (from Start to End Date) | Planned Spending for 2012-13 |
||
Food Safety Program | Meat and Poultry | 2.0 | 1.5 |
Total | 2.0 | 1.5 |
Planned spending in the above table is as per the Memorandum of Understanding beween AAFC and CFIA.
Expected results by program:
The CFIA baseline study contributes to the following shared outcome: food safety, biosecurity, traceability, and risk management measures are improved.
Total Allocation For All Federal Partners (from Start to End Date) | Total Planned Spending for All Federal Partners for 2012-13 |
---|---|
313.4 | 95.0 |
Results to be achieved by non-federal partners:
Expected results are the same as those of federal partners.
Contact information:
Lynn McGuire, Director
Adaptation Division
Farm Financial Programs Branch
Room 242, Floor 8, Tower 7
1341 Baseline Road
Ottawa, Ontario
K1A 0C5
613-773-1905
Note:
Planned spending represents the amounts included in Main Estimates and currently approved Treasury Board Submissions. Total allocation and planned spending amounts are net of indirect costs.
Name of Horizontal Initiative: Agricultural Regulatory Action Plan Element of Growing Forward
Name of lead department: Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada (AAFC)
Lead department program activity: Regulatory Efficiency Facilitation
Start date of the Horizontal Initiative: April 1, 2008
End date of the Horizontal Initiative: March 31, 2013
Total federal funding allocation (start to end date): $94.9 million over five years
Description of the Horizontal Initiative (including funding agreement):
This initiative targets four specific regulatory issues that were identified by stakeholders, namely: 1) health claims, novel foods and ingredients; 2) food fortification; 3) minor use pesticides and pesticide risk reduction; and 4) veterinary drugs. The Agricultural Regulatory Action Plan supports the general principles of the Government of Canada's Cabinet Directive on Streamlining Regulation. The Plan addresses the development of regulatory frameworks based on the accumulation of sound science, as well as advancing the transparency, timeliness, responsiveness, efficiency, public interest, and government collaboration to minimize regulatory burden for stakeholders.
The program links to the departmental strategic outcome of a competitive agriculture, agri-food and agri-based products sector that proactively manages risk and the Government of Canada's outcome of Strong Economic Growth.
Shared outcome:
Addressing key regulatory obstacles to promoting a competitive and innovative sector, while protecting and advancing the public interest.
Governance structure:
Memoranda of Understanding (MOUs) between AAFC and Health Canada set out the roles and responsibilities for the management of this initiative. The Deputy Ministers of the two departments oversee the governance process that includes the following levels of management in accordance with the MOUs:
Planning Highlights:
Work under the Agricultural Regulatory Action Plan aims to improve and modernize key aspects of the regulatory system in each of the four priority areas (see Description of the Horizontal Initiative above), while reducing the regulatory burden to promote innovation and improve competitiveness within the agriculture and agri-food sector.
AAFC is committed to helping industry understand and follow regulatory processes and requirements, including responding to scientific data requirements of submissions to Health Canada. Concerning minor-use pesticides, AAFC's plans involve identifying and prioritizing pest management needs, conducting trials, determining the concentration of pesticide residue, compiling data, drafting reports, and assembling regulatory submissions. Under the pesticide risk reduction program, AAFC will work with stakeholders to develop and implement pesticide risk reduction strategies, prioritize biopesticides needs, and develop and divulge pesticide risk reduction tools, practices and techniques. With regard to health claims, novel foods and ingredients, AAFC's plans include working with industry and research and regulatory communities to facilitate information collection, analysis and exchange, as well as undertaking and coordinating collaborative scientific research.
Health Canada's activities are focussed on streamlining regulatory processes and improving submission review times, and developing policy and regulatory frameworks, to better address priorities of the sector while maintaining health and safety standards. More specifically, Health Canada will continue to evaluate and register minor use pesticides that meet the needs identified by growers. In the veterinary drugs area, the Department's work will involve undertaking regulatory harmonization initiatives with international agencies, improving regulatory processes for generic and new drugs, and establishing maximum residue limits for older drugs. With respect to health claims, novel foods, ingredients, and food fortification, Health Canada's plans include developing and implementing targeted policies, regulations and pre-market processes.
AAFC and Health Canada have established interdepartmental working groups for the initiatives in which they are partnering. These groups develop business cases, work plans, performance objectives and targets, and budget and expenditure reports. They report to their respective JMCs.
Federal Partner: AAFC
Federal Partner Program Activity | Name of Program for Federal Partner | ($ millions) | |
---|---|---|---|
Total Allocation (from Start to End Date) | Planned Spending for 2012-13 |
||
Due to rounding, figures may not add up to the totals shown. | |||
Regulatory Efficiency Facilitation | Minor Use Pesticides and Pesticide Risk Reduction | 36.2 | 9.0 |
Health Claims, Novel Foods and Ingredients | 16.1 | 3.6 | |
Total | 52.4 | 12.5 |
Expected results by program:
Minor Use Pesticides
Improved competitive parity of the agriculture and agri-food sector with regard to pest management, with 170 new minor uses of pesticides registered by Pest Management Regulatory Agency, based on a national list of grower-selected pest management priority projects and data for regulatory submissions.
Pesticide Risk Reduction
Two pesticide risk reduction strategy documents will be developed by March 31, 2013, leading to an improved sustainability and competitive parity of the agriculture and agri-food sector and increase grower awareness of and adoption of safer pest management practices and products.
Health Claims, Novel Foods, and Ingredients
An enhanced sector ability to navigate the food regulatory system through an improved understanding of regulatory processes/requirements, demonstrated by 75% of sector respondents who indicate an increased ability to navigate the regulatory system; and 10 new, innovative and safe food products and three claims, focusing on health benefits.
This will be achieved by the production of regulatory-issue/impact documents, literature reviews and research-gap lists, the collection of data and evidence to address priority knowledge gaps, the establishment and continuation of domestic and international science networks, and sector guidance and communication, which will lead to complete and substantiated sector regulatory submissions.
Federal Partner: Health Canada
Federal Partner Program Activities | Names of Programs for Federal Partner | ($ millions) | |
---|---|---|---|
Total Allocation (from Start to End Date) | Planned Spending for 2012-13 |
||
Due to rounding, figures may not add up to the totals shown. |
|||
Pesticide Regulation | Minor Use Pesticides and Pesticide Risk Reduction | 16.0 | 4.0 |
Health Products | Veterinary Drugs | 5.0 | 1.2 |
Food and Nutrition | Health Claims, Novel Foods and Ingredients | 17.4 | 3.5 |
Food Fortification | 4.3 | 1.0 | |
Total | 42.6 | 9.7 |
Expected results by program:
Minor Use Pesticides
Improved competitive parity of the agriculture and agri-food sector with regard to pest management evidenced by the number of new minor uses of pesticides which are registered or available for use in Canada
This will be achieved by actively participating and providing feedback to applicants on minor use pesticide submission requirements, streamlining data requirements and regulatory processes, and reviewing minor use submissions under a dedicated stream. In addition, the Pest Management Regulatory Agency, a branch of Health Canada, will partner with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency to evaluate the joint regulatory submissions of the Minor Uses Pesticide Program and its U.S. equivalent, the Interregional Research Project No.4.
Veterinary Drugs
An increased availability of veterinary drugs for food-producing animals in Canada, including the establishment of Maximum Residue Limits for older drugs, by maintaining recent gains in the end-to-end review time for new drug submissions, and enhancing the Minor Use Minor Species (MUMS) sector's ability to navigate and understand the regulatory processes and requirements for MUMS drugs
This will be achieved by providing information and guidance to industry, enhancing policies and regulatory frameworks to streamline generic drug approvals, facilitate access to MUMS products, increasing scientific capacity to review drug submissions, and harmonizing the technical requirements for veterinary drug submissions with the U.S. Food and Drug Administration and other international agencies. This will be supported by optimal use of international information including scientific reviews of veterinary drugs, and by encouraging AAFC's involvement in supporting the development of submissions for MUMS as is done in the pesticides sector.
Health Claims, Novel Foods and Ingredients
Modernized and efficient policy and regulatory approaches and pre-market processes; and new, innovative and safe food products and claims, focussing on health benefits
This will be evidenced by the development and implementation of regulatory tools such as policies, regulations and pre-market processes, the development of manuals, reports, and consultations, and work-sharing agreements, and enhanced policy/regulatory/process engagement with industry, consumers and international partners.
Food Fortification
New, innovative and safe food products introduced in the Canadian market, resulting from the development of informed fortification business/marketing plans by industry that meet government requirements, as well as the development and implementation of regulatory tools such as policies, standards and/or regulations for the management of safe fortified foods which meet industry and consumer needs, and which are based on accurate Canadian data
This will be evidenced by the establishment of a system of pre-market approval of industry submissions for foods fortified with vitamin and minerals on a discretionary basis that is practical, predictable, transparent, and timely. This will also be evidenced by dedication of staff to manage the review and assessment of the safety of fortified foods and issue Temporary Marketing Authorization Letters, and an enhanced knowledge-base supporting the development of approaches to manage fortified foods.
Total Allocation For All Federal Partners (from Start to End Date) | Total Planned Spending for All Federal Partners for 2012-13 |
---|---|
94.9 | 22.2 |
Results to be achieved by non-federal partners: Not applicable
Contact information:
Lynn Stewart, Director
Food Regulatory Issues Division
Sector Development and Analysis Directorate
Market and Industry Services Branch
Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada
Room 242, Floor 2, Tower 5
1341 Baseline Road
Ottawa, Ontario
K1A 0C5
613-773-0153
Note:
AAFC's Growing Forward is the five-year policy framework that replaced the Agricultural Policy Framework as of the 2008-09 fiscal year. Planned spending represents the amounts included in Main Estimates and currently approved Treasury Board Submissions Total allocation and planned spending amounts are net of indirect costs.
Name of Horizontal Initiative: AgriInsurance
Name of lead department: Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada (AAFC)
Lead department program activity: Business Risk Management (BRM)
Start date of the Horizontal Initiative: April 1, 2008
End date of the Horizontal Initiative: AgriInsurance contributions are statutory and ongoing.
Total federal funding allocation (start to end date): Ongoing
Description of the Horizontal Initiative (including funding agreement):
AgriInsurance aims to reduce the financial impact on producers of production losses caused by uncontrollable natural perils.
Authorities for the program include Section 4 of the Farm Income Protection Act, as well as Growing Forward: A Federal-Provincial-Territorial Framework Agreement on Agriculture, Agri-Food and Agri-Based Products Policy and the Federal-Provincial AgriInsurance Agreement.
The program links to the departmental strategic outcome of a competitive agriculture, agri-food and agri-based products sector that proactively manages risk and the Government of Canada's outcome of Strong Economic Growth.
For more information, visit the following websites:
Federal AgriInsurance
AgriInsurance in British Columbia
AgriInsurance in Alberta
AgriInsurance in Saskatchewan
AgriInsurance in Manitoba
AgriInsurance in Ontario
AgriInsurance in Québec
AgriInsurance in New Brunswick
AgriInsurance in Nova Scotia
AgriInsurance in Prince Edward Island
AgriInsurance in Newfoundland
Shared outcome:
The shared outcome is that the financial impacts of production losses are mitigated by providing effective insurance protection.
Governance structure:
AgriInsurance is part of the comprehensive Growing Forward agricultural policy framework developed by federal, provincial and territorial (FPT) Ministers of Agriculture, and falls under the BRM Program Activity.
AgriInsurance is a provincial program to which the federal government contributes financially under the Federal-Provincial AgriInsurance Agreement. The program is administered provincially in all provinces. The federal and provincial (FP) governments cost-share a portion of the premium costs together with program participants (generally 36% federal, 24% provincial and 40% producer). Governments also fully cost-share the administrative costs of the program (60:40 federal-provincial).
Like the other BRM programs, the governance structure for the program consists of working groups and committees, including the FPT BRM Policy Working Group and FP AgriInsurance Working Group, as well as the National Program Advisory Committee (NPAC) which includes FPT and industry representatives. These groups examine BRM policy and program issues and, as requested, develop options to be brought forward to senior management, including FPT Assistant Deputy Ministers (ADMs), Deputy Ministers and Ministers. NPAC provides advice through FPT ADMs.
Planning Highlights:
Work is underway to develop the next Federal-Provincial-Territorial (FPT) agricultural policy framework, the successor to Growing Forward, as set out in the Saint Andrews Statement that was endorsed by FPT Ministers in July 2011. FPT governments and industry stakeholder engagement sessions are planned for 2012 with a focus on the development of program options, including the next generation of BRM programming, that support the priorities identified for the new FPT agricultural policy framework.
The federal government will continue to work to ensure producers have access to affordable and comprehensive insurance coverage. The federal government will also continue working with the provinces and delivery agencies to develop new insurance options for agricultural products, including livestock, forage and horticultural crops.
Governments and industry stakeholder engagement sessions are planned for 2012, during which there will be a focus on the development of program options that support the policy priorities identified for a new FPT agricultural policy framework.
The development of the new generation of BRM programming will also take into consideration the results of recent evaluations and audits. The Departmental Audit and Evaluation Office undertook a review of AgriInsurance. The review was expected to be completed by June 2012.
Federal Partner: AAFC
Federal Partner Program Activity | Name of Program for Federal Partner | ($ millions) | |
---|---|---|---|
Total Allocation (from Start to End Date) | Planned Spending for 2012-13 |
||
Business Risk Management | AgriInsurance | Ongoing | 412.5 |
Total | Ongoing | 412.5 |
Expected results by program:
Production losses are mitigated by providing effective insurance protection.
Performance Indicators and Targets:
Total Allocation For All Federal Partners (from Start to End Date) | Total Planned Spending for All Federal Partners for 2012-13 |
---|---|
Ongoing |
412.5 |
Results to be achieved by non-federal partners:
Planning and development activities are done jointly with the provinces. Therefore, the expected results are the same, but the achieved results will vary by province.
Contact information:
Rosser Lloyd, A/Director General
Business Risk Management – Program Development
Room 241, Floor 3, Tower 7
1341 Baseline Road
Ottawa, Ontario
K1A 0C5
613-773-2116
Note:
Planned spending represents the amounts included in Main Estimates. Planned spending amounts include the federal cost-share of each province’s direct administration costs of its respective programming. This program is statutory and demand-driven; therefore actual spending could vary. See also the related horizontal initiatives on AgriStability and AgriInvest. Total allocation and planned spending amounts are net of indirect costs.
Name of Horizontal Initiative: AgriInvest
Name of lead department: Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada (AAFC)
Lead department program activity: Business Risk Management (BRM)
Start date of the Horizontal Initiative:
Agreements were signed with the provinces December 19, 2007, to implement the program for the 2007 program year.
End date of the Horizontal Initiative:
AgriInvest grants and contributions are statutory and ongoing.
Total federal funding allocation (start to end date): Ongoing
Description of the Horizontal Initiative (including funding agreement):
AgriInvest allows producers to self-manage, through producer-government savings accounts, the first 15% of their margin losses for a production year and make investments to reduce on-farm risks or increase farm revenues. Under the program, annual producer deposits of up to 1.5% of their allowable net sales are matched by government deposits. Government deposits are cost-shared 60:40 by federal and provincial/territorial governments. AgriInvest provides coverage for small income declines. AgriStability, another program in the suite of BRM programs, assists producers in managing larger losses.
AgriInvest provides producers with a secure, accessible, predictable, and bankable source of income assistance to address small drops in farm income and manage on-farm risks.
Authorities for the program include Section 4 of the Farm Income Protection Act, as well as Growing Forward: A Federal-Provincial-Territorial Framework Agreement on Agriculture, Agri-Food and Agri-Based Products Policy and Federal-Provincial-Territorial Agreement with Respect to AgriStability and AgriInvest.
The program links to the departmental strategic outcome of a competitive agriculture, agri-food and agri-based products sector that proactively manages risk and the Government of Canada's outcome of Strong Economic Growth.
For more information, visit the following websites:
AgriInvest (except Quebec)
AgriInvest in Québec (La Financière agricole du Québec)
Shared outcome:
The shared outcome for this initiative is that producers have the flexibility in managing small financial risks.
Governance structure:
The AgriInvest program is part of the comprehensive Growing Forward agricultural policy framework developed by federal, provincial and territorial (FPT) Ministers of Agriculture, and falls under the BRM Program Activity. Program costs, including program payments and administrative costs, are shared by the federal government, the provinces and the Yukon Territory on a 60:40 basis, respectively.
For the 2008 program year, the AgriInvest program was delivered by the federal government in all provinces except Quebec. Producer deposits and matching contributions were made to the accounts held by the federal government. Starting with the 2009 program year, producers opened and made their deposits into AgriInvest accounts at an approved financial institution of their choice. Any balance in their AgriInvest account held by the federal government was transferred to the financial institution account. In Quebec, the AgriInvest program is, and will continue to be, delivered provincially by La Financière agricole du Québec.
Like the other BRM programs, the governance structure for the program consists of working groups and committees, including the FPT BRM Policy Working Group and FPT Administrators Working Group, as well as the National Program Advisory Committee (NPAC) which includes FPT and industry representatives. These groups examine BRM policy and program issues and, as requested, develop options to be brought forward to senior management, including FPT Assistant Deputy Ministers (ADMs), Deputy Ministers and Ministers. NPAC provides advice through FPT ADMs.
Planning Highlights:
Work is underway to develop the next FPT agricultural policy framework, the successor to Growing Forward, as set out in the Saint Andrews Statement that was endorsed by FPT Ministers in July 2011. FPT governments and industry stakeholder engagement sessions are planned for 2012 with a focus on the development of program options, including the next generation of BRM programming, that support the priorities identified for the new FPT agricultural policy framework.
The development of the new generation of BRM programming will also take into consideration the results of recent evaluations and audit. The departmental Audit and Evaluation Office undertook a review of income stability tools for BRM programs, including AgriInvest. The review was expected to be completed by June 2012.
The Office of the Auditor General (OAG) tabled a report in the House of Commons on November 22, 2011, which included a chapter on Payments to Producers. The audit covered the AgriStability and AgriInvest Programs. The report noted the progress the Department had made in developing a performance measurement framework for the BRM programming with the provinces. The report did, however, indicate that improvements were needed on the collection and reporting of performance information, including the information related to the processing times for AgriInvest.
The Department is currently collecting information on the processing times for AgriInvest and will report the results in the 2011-12 Departmental Performance Report. It will continue to work with the provinces to refine the performance measurement framework for the BRM programs.
Federal Partner: AAFC
Federal Partner Program Activity | Name of Program for Federal Partner | ($ millions) | |
---|---|---|---|
Total Allocation (from Start to End Date) | Planned Spending for 2012-13 |
||
Business Risk Management | AgriInvest | Ongoing | 160.4 |
Total | Ongoing | 160.4 |
Expected results by program:
In partnership with the provinces and territories, AAFC has put in place a set of performance indicators and targets for the suite of BRM programs. Officials will use these performance indicators and targets to closely monitor and report on the performance of the BRM programs and ensure they are meeting their objectives.
Producers have the flexibility in managing small financial risks.
Performance Indicator and Target:
Producers use program account balances to address income declines or to make investments to reduce on-farm risks or increase farm revenues.
Performance Indicator and Target:
Application processing
Performance Indicator and Target:
Total Allocation For All Federal Partners (from Start to End Date) | Total Planned Spending for All Federal Partners for 2012-13 |
---|---|
Ongoing | 160.4 |
Results to be achieved by non-federal partners:
Coordination of program oversight and delivery with the federal government will ensure that the program is delivered consistently and that program objectives and reporting requirements are met.
Contact information:
Rosser Lloyd, A/Director General
Business Risk Management – Program Development
Room 241, Floor 3, Tower 7
1341 Baseline Road
Ottawa, Ontario
K1A 0C5
613-773-2116
Note:
Planned spending represents the amounts included in Main Estimates and currently approved Treasury Board Submissions. This program is statutory and demand-driven; therefore actual spending could vary. See also the related horizontal initiatives on AgriStability and AgriInsurance. Total allocation and planned spending amounts are net of indirect costs.
Name of Horizontal Initiative: AgriStability
Name of lead department: Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada (AAFC)
Lead department program activity: Business Risk Management (BRM)
Start date of the Horizontal Initiative:
Agreements were signed with the provinces December 19, 2007, to implement the program for the 2007 program year.
End date of the Horizontal Initiative:
AgriStability grants and contributions are statutory and ongoing.
Total federal funding allocation (start to end date): Ongoing
Description of the Horizontal Initiative (including funding agreement):
AgriStability is a margin-based program that provides support when producers experience large farm income losses, which result in drops in their margins (eligible farm income less eligible farm expenses) for a program year of more than 15% relative to their average margins from previous years (i.e., their reference margins). Thus, a payment is triggered under the program when producers' program year margins drop below 85% of their reference margins. AgriStability also includes coverage for negative margins, as well as mechanisms to advance to participants a portion of their expected payments during the year when significant declines in incomes are expected (interim payments and Targeted Advance Payments). AgriStability assists producers in managing large losses. AgriInvest, another program in the suite of BRM programs, provides coverage for smaller income declines.
Authorities for the program include Section 4 of the Farm Income Protection Act, as well as Growing Forward: A Federal-Provincial-Territorial Framework Agreement on Agriculture, Agri-Food and Agri-Based Products Policy and Federal-Provincial-Territorial Agreement with Respect to AgriStability and AgriInvest.
The program links to the departmental strategic outcome of a competitive agriculture, agri-food and agri-based products sector that proactively manages risk and the Government of Canada's outcome of Strong Economic Growth.
For more information, visit the following websites:
Federal AgriStability
AgriStability in British Columbia
AgriStability in Alberta
AgriStability in Saskatchewan
AgriStability in Ontario
AgriStability in Quebec
AgriStability in Prince Edward Island
Shared outcome:
The shared outcome for this initiative is that the short-term impacts of large income losses are mitigated.
Governance structure:
The AgriStability program is part of the comprehensive Growing Forward agricultural policy framework developed by Federal, Provincial and Territorial (FPT) Ministers of Agriculture, and falls under the BRM Program Activity. Program costs, including program payments and administrative costs, are shared by the federal government and the provinces/territory on a 60:40 basis, respectively.
In British Columbia, Alberta, Saskatchewan, Ontario, Quebec, and Prince Edward Island, the AgriStability program is delivered provincially. The AgriStability program is administered by the federal government for Manitoba, New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, Newfoundland and Labrador, and the Yukon Territory.
Like the other BRM programs, the governance structure for the program consists of working groups and committees, including the FPT BRM Policy Working Group and FPT Administrators Working Group, as well as the National Program Advisory Committee (NPAC) which includes FPT and industry representatives. These groups examine BRM policy and program issues and, as requested, develop options to be brought forward to senior management, including FPT Assistant Deputy Ministers (ADMs), Deputy Ministers and Ministers. NPAC provides advice through FPT ADMs.
Planning Highlights:
Work is underway to develop the next FPT agricultural policy framework, the successor to Growing Forward, as set out in the Saint Andrews Statement that was endorsed by FPT Ministers in July 2011. FPT governments and industry stakeholder engagement sessions are planned for 2012 with a focus on the development of program options, including the next generation of BRM programming, that support the priorities identified for the new FPT agricultural policy framework.
The development of the new generation of BRM programming will also take into consideration the results of recent evaluations and audits. The departmental Audit and Evaluation Office undertook a review of income stability tools, including AgriStability. The review was expected to be completed by June 2012.
The Office of the Auditor General (OAG) tabled a report in the House of Commons on November 22, 2011, which included a chapter on Payments to Producers. The audit covered the AgriStability and AgriInvest Programs. The report noted that the Department has made progress on design issues, but the long standing challenges with timeliness of payments remain. The report noted that the Department followed a sound process for the transfer of AgriStability delivery to British Columbia and Saskatchewan. The report noted the work done with the provinces in developing a performance framework for BRM programming and suggested further improvements.
Potential adjustments to improve timeliness of AgriStability payments under a new FPT agricultural policy framework are being considered. AAFC will also continue to work with the provinces to refine the performance measurement framework for the BRM programs.
Federal Partner: AAFC
Federal Partner Program Activity | Name of Program for Federal Partner | ($ millions) | |
---|---|---|---|
Total Allocation (from Start to End Date) | Planned Spending for 2012-13 |
||
Business Risk Management | AgriStability | Ongoing | 591.0 |
Total | Ongoing | 591.0 |
Expected results by program:
In partnership with the provinces and territories, AAFC has put in place a set of performance indicators and targets for the suite of BRM programs. Officials will use these performance indicators and targets to closely monitor and report on the performance of the BRM programs and ensure they are meeting their objectives.
Short-term impacts of large income losses are mitigated.
Performance Indicators and Targets:
Total Allocation For All Federal Partners (from Start to End Date) | Total Planned Spending for All Federal Partners for 2012-13 |
---|---|
Ongoing | 591.0 |
Results to be achieved by non-federal partners:
Coordination of program oversight and delivery with the federal government will ensure that the program is delivered consistently and that program objectives and reporting requirements are met.
Contact information:
Rosser Lloyd, A/Director General
Business Risk Management – Program Development
Room 241, Floor 3, Tower 7
1341 Baseline Road
Ottawa, Ontario
K1A 0C5
613-773-2116
Note:
Planned spending represents the amounts included in Main Estimates and currently approved Treasury Board Submissions. This program is statutory and demand-driven; therefore actual spending could vary. See also the related horizontal initiatives on AgriInvest and AgriInsurance. Total allocation and planned spending amounts are net of indirect costs.
Name of Horizontal Initiative: Canada’s Rural Partnership
Name of lead department: Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada (AAFC)
Lead department program activity: Rural and Co-operatives Development
Start date of the Horizontal Initiative:
Start date under the Growing Forward Framework: April 1, 2008
(Original start date under Agricultural Policy Framework: April 1, 2003)
End date of the Horizontal Initiative: March 31, 2013
Total federal funding allocation (start to end date):
$52.9 million over five years (including in-year transfers)
Description of the Horizontal Initiative (including funding agreement):
Canada's Rural Partnership (CRP) leads an integrated, government-wide approach through which the government aims to co-ordinate its economic, social, environmental, and cultural policies towards the goal of economic and social development and renewal of rural Canada.
The program links to the departmental strategic outcome of an innovative agriculture, agri-food and agri-based products sector and the Government of Canada's outcome of An Innovative and Knowledge-Based Economy.
Shared outcomes:
Governance structure:
The CRP is managed by the Rural and Co-operatives Secretariat. It contributes to raising awareness and inclusion of rural Canada in federal policies and programs, as well as engaging government and non-government partners to stimulate economic development in rural Canada. The mechanisms for achieving this include:
In each province and territory, these efforts are reinforced by Rural Teams, comprised of federal government representatives and, in most cases, members from the provincial or territorial government, and sectoral stakeholders.
Moreover, the Secretariat is an active participant in the National Rural Research Network, which brings together research partners from both academia and government to focus on enhancing knowledge about rural issues to better inform policy making.
Planning Highlights:
Through its networks, teams and programming, CRP will stimulate collaborative approaches with all levels of government and non-government organizations to assist rural communities to: enhance the competitiveness of rural regions; foster the transformation of local ideas and untapped assets into innovative sustainable economic activities; and help develop new economic opportunities from existing natural and cultural amenities.
Federal Partner: AAFC - Rural and Co-operatives Development
Federal Partner Program Activity | Name of Program for Federal Partner | ($ millions) | |
---|---|---|---|
Total Allocation (from Start to End Date) | Planned Spending for 2012-13 |
||
AAFC – Rural and Co-operatives Development | Canada's Rural Partnership | 52.9 | 10.3 |
Total | 52.9 | 10.3 |
Expected results by program:
Rural communities and regions are using information and tools to develop local amenities and other assets.
Contribution agreements for community development and knowledge building projects
Contributing activities by AAFC:
Performance Indicator and Target:
Total Allocation For All Federal Partners (from Start to End Date) | Total Planned Spending for All Federal Partners for 2012-13 |
---|---|
52.9 | 10.3 |
Results to be achieved by non-federal partners:
Not applicable
Contact information:
Michaela Huard, Executive Director
Rural and Co-operatives Secretariat
Room 125, Floor 2, Tower 7
1341 Baseline Road
Ottawa, Ontario
K1A 0C5
613-773-2916
Note:
AAFC's Growing Forward is the five-year policy framework that replaced the Agricultural Policy Framework as of the 2008-09 fiscal year. Planned spending represents the amounts included in Main Estimates and currently approved Treasury Board Submissions. Total allocation and planned spending amounts are net of indirect costs.Name of Horizontal Initiative: Co-operative Development Initiative
Name of lead department: Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada (AAFC)
Lead department program activity: Rural and Co-operatives Development
Start date of the Horizontal Initiative:
Start date under the Growing Forward Framework: April 1, 2008
(Original start date under Agricultural Policy Framework: April 1, 2003)
End date of the Horizontal Initiative: March 31, 2013
Total federal funding allocation (start to end date):
$23.6 million over five years (including in-year transfers)
Description of the Horizontal Initiative (including funding agreement):
The Co-operatives Secretariat provides advice on policies and programs affecting co-operatives and builds partnerships within the federal government and with industry, provinces and other key stakeholders to support the development of co-operatives. The Secretariat manages a grants and contributions program, the Co-operative Development Initiative, which includes:
The program links to the departmental strategic outcome of an innovative agriculture, agri-food and agri-based products sector and the Government of Canada's outcome of An Innovative and Knowledge-Based Economy.
Shared outcomes:
Governance structure:
The Co-operatives Secretariat, now an integral part of the Rural and Co-operatives Secretariat, was created as a focal point between Canadian co-operatives and federal departments and agencies. It has instituted mechanisms to raise awareness and inclusion of co-operatives in federal policies and programs, as co-operatives can be a vehicle to help government achieve its goals. These include dialogue and collaboration with key federal departments as well as with provincial counterparts and the sector.
Planning Highlights:
The Co-operatives Secretariat will continue to manage a partnership agreement with two national co-operative associations for the delivery of the Co-operative Development Initiative with the objective of enhancing the contribution of co-operatives to meeting the economic and social needs of Canadians.
The Secretariat will explore opportunities to engage other departments in ensuring the co-operative approach is considered as a tool in delivering their mandates, leveraging the International Year of Co-operatives (2012) for interdepartmental collaboration.
The Secretariat will also collaborate with provinces in the area of research on co-operatives with a view to developing a common research agenda and enhancing knowledge sharing.
The Secretariat will continue to collect and analyze data to produce a final Performance Measurement Strategy report for the program (2009-2013).
Federal Partner: AAFC - Rural and Co-operatives Development
Federal Partner Program Activity | Names of Programs for Federal Partners | ($ millions) | |
---|---|---|---|
Total Allocation (from Start to End Date) | Planned Spending for 2012-13 |
||
AAFC - Rural and Co-operatives Development | Co-operative Development Initiative | 23.6 | 4.7 |
Total | 23.6 | 4.7 |
Expected results by program:
Innovative co-operative projects are implemented.
Contributing activities by AAFC:
Performance Indicator and Target:
Total Allocation For All Federal Partners (from Start to End Date) | Total Planned Spending for All Federal Partners for 2012-13 |
---|---|
23.6 | 4.7 |
Results to be achieved by non-federal partners:
AAFC partners with co-operative sector organizations that act as delivery agents. The above-noted expected results and measures are to be achieved by these organizations.
Contact information:
Michaela Huard, Executive Director
Rural and Co-operatives Secretariat
Room 125, Floor 2, Tower 7
1341 Baseline Road
Ottawa, Ontario
K1A 0C5
613-773-2916
Note:
AAFC's Growing Forward is the five-year policy framework that replaced the Agricultural Policy Framework as of the 2008-09 fiscal year. Planned spending represents the amounts included in Main Estimates and currently approved Treasury Board Submissions. Total allocation and planned spending amounts are net of indirect costs.Name of Horizontal Initiative: Growing Forward non-BRM Cost-Shared Programs (formerly known as Growing Forward Program Initiatives Development)
Name of lead department: Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada (AAFC)
Lead department program activity: Food Safety and Biosecurity Risk Management Systems
Start date of the Horizontal Initiative: April 1, 2009
End date of the Horizontal Initiative: March 31, 2013
Total federal funding allocation (start to end date):
$31.8 million over four years
Description of the Horizontal Initiative (including funding agreement):
Two separate Memoranda of Understanding (MOU) between AAFC and the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) set out the general terms, roles and responsibilities for the management and funding of the various components of the Canadian Integrated Food Safety Initiative (CIFSI) funded under AAFC's Growing Forward framework agreement, in respect of the Growing Forward non-BRM Cost-Shared Programs. The following initiatives are delivered by CFIA, in collaboration with AAFC:
These initiatives are managed through joint leadership between CFIA and AAFC and coordinated through the Traceability Management Office.
These initiatives link to the departmental strategic outcome of a competitive agriculture, agri-food and agri-based products sector that proactively manages risks and the Government of Canada's outcome of Strong Economic Growth.
Shared outcomes:
These initiatives contribute to the following strategic outcome of AAFC:
These initiatives contribute to the following strategic outcomes of CFIA:
Governance structure:
The overall administration of the two MOUs is delegated to:
Growing Forward Program Initiatives Development
Development of Traceability National Information Portal
Planning Highlights:
Government-recognized and science-based food safety, biosecurity and traceability standards, practices and systems developed and implemented at the farm and agri-business levels will help to prevent the spread of animal and plant diseases. This will reduce costs associated with responses to disease outbreaks, help continue and enhance market access, and allow the sector to better respond to increasing demands for assurances of food safety. In turn, this will strengthen domestic and international consumers' confidence in Canada as a source for safe products.
Key targets or expected results include:
Federal Partner: AAFC
Federal Partner Program Activity | Name of Program for Federal Partner | ($ millions) | |
---|---|---|---|
Total Allocation (from Start to End Date) | Planned Spending for 2012-13 |
||
Note: Since CFIA is delivering these programs with funds transferred from AAFC, total allocations, planned spending and expected results are reflected in the CFIA table below. | |||
Food Safety and Biosecurity Risk Management Systems | CFIA System Recognition and Scientific and Technical Support | N/A - funds transferred to CFIA | N/A – funds transferred to CFIA |
National Biosecurity Standards Development | N/A - funds transferred to CFIA | N/A - funds transferred to CFIA | |
Development of Traceability National Information Portal formally known as Traceability Information Sharing Solution | N/A - funds transferred to CFIA | N/A - funds transferred to CFIA | |
Traceability Management Office Legislative and Regulatory Infrastructure | N/A - funds transferred to CFIA | N/A - funds transferred to CFIA | |
Total | N/A - funds transferred to CFIA | N/A - funds transferred to CFIA |
Expected results by program:
Refer to Expected Results listed under the CFIA table below.
Federal Partner: CFIA
Federal Partner Program Activity | Name of Program for Federal Partner | ($ millions) | |
---|---|---|---|
Total Allocation (from Start to End Date) | Planned Spending for 2012-13 |
||
Due to rounding, figures may not add up to the totals shown. | |||
Food Safety and Nutrition Risks | CFIA System Recognition and Scientific and Technical Support | 6.5 | 1.1 |
Animal Health Risks and Production Systems | National Biosecurity Standards Development | 9.3 | 2.8 |
Plant Health Risks and Production Systems | |||
Animal Health Risk and Production Systems | Development of Traceability National Information Portal formally known as Traceability Information Sharing Solution | 12.7 | 5.7 |
Traceability Management Office Legislative and Regulatory Infrastructure | 3.3 | 0.9 | |
Total | 31.8 | 10.5 |
Expected results by program:
CFIA System Recognition and Scientific and Technical Support:
National Biosecurity Standards Development:
Development of the Traceability National Information Portal also known as Traceability Information Sharing Solution:
Traceability Management Office Legislative and Regulatory Infrastructure:
Total Allocation For All Federal Partners (from Start to End Date) | Total Planned Spending for All Federal Partners for 2012-13 |
---|---|
31.8 | 10.5 |
Results to be achieved by non-federal partners:
Not applicable
Contact information:
Linda Parsons, Director General
Agriculture Transformation Programs Directorate
Farm Financial Programs Branch
Room 220, Floor 8, Tower 7
1341 Baseline Road
Ottawa, Ontario
K1A 0C5
613-773-1900
Note:
AAFC's Growing Forward is the five-year policy framework that replaced the Agricultural Policy Framework as of the 2008-09 fiscal year. Planned spending represents the amounts included in Main Estimates and currently approved Treasury Board Submissions. Total allocation and planned spending amounts are net of indirect costs.