2023-2024 Details on transfer payment programs
Table of contents
Promoting Regional Development in Canada's Three Territories
Start date: April 1, 2009
End date: Ongoing
Type of transfer payment: Grants and Contributions
Type of appropriation: Annually through Estimates
Fiscal year for terms and conditions: 2014-15, updated 2018-19
Link to departmental result(s):
- Businesses are developing in the Territories
- People and Communities participate in the economy in the Territories
Link to the department's program inventory:
- Business Development
- Community Development
Purpose and objectives of transfer payment program:
Through this umbrella transfer payment authority, CanNor delivers a range of northern economic development contribution programs / funding initiatives to promote the economic development of the North, in order to strengthen territorial economies and increase participation by Northerners.
For 2023-2024, these programs / funding initiatives include: Inclusive Diversification and Economic Advancement in the North (IDEANorth), the Northern Isolated Communities Initiative Fund (NICI), the Jobs and Growth Fund (JGF), and Tourism Growth Program (TGP).
Results achieved:
In 2023-24, through IDEANorth, CanNor provided $35 millions to 153 projects across the territories. These projects aimed to strengthen key sectors (mining, arts and culture, tourism, agri-businesses, and commercial fisheries), support small-scale economic infrastructure, studies, and pre-readiness activities, and foster capacity growth and skills development.
Under NICI, CanNor provided $2.5 millions to eight Indigenous and non-Indigenous community-led initiatives to strengthen regional food systems and reduce food insecurity in the territories. This support includes SMEs, employment in the food sector, local food infrastructure, and innovative nutritional solutions. Specifically, through the Stream 2 NICI Fund for the Northern Food Innovation Challenge (NFIC), CanNor awarded $2.5 millions to scale up innovative food systems projects, and coordination of knowledge dissemination opportunities.
Under the JGF, CanNor funded 35 projects across the territories with over $7.2 millions to help build an inclusive and diverse economy with resilient SMEs. CanNor also delivered $389,700 to five Tourism Growth Program (TGP) projects.
Findings of audits completed in 2023–24: No audits were completed during the reporting year.
Findings of evaluations completed in 2023–24: An evaluation of IDEANorth, NICI and the Northern Business Relief Fund (NBRF) was completed in 2023-24. Based on the findings from the evaluation of activities from 2019-2020 to 2022-2023, the IDEANorth program continues to be relevant, effective and efficient. The program promotes northern economic development by strengthening territorial economies and increasing northerners' economic participation. It funds projects to enhance business expansion, revenue growth, job creation, and address infrastructure gaps, and offers workshops for capacity building.
For all three programs, the evaluation identified three recommendations:
- establish a process, including timelines, for the selection and implementation of a data management system and procedures that will improve collection, storage, management, and use of data related to proponents, projects, and outcomes;
- improve the usefulness of performance measurement data by identifying and implementing indicators that more accurately demonstrate project outcomes and tell a performance story that is responsive and reflective of the territorial context; and
- identify opportunities to shorten project approval periods and to improve communication with project proponents about application status, anticipated timelines, and contract obligations.
A Management Response Action Plan (MRAP) was created to respond to the recommendations outlined in the evaluation and are available on CanNor's Audit and Evaluation website page.
The next fiscal evaluation for these programs is due for 2027-28.
An evaluation of Economic Development Initiative (EDI) across Regional Development Agencies (RDA) is underway and expected to be completed in 2024.
An evaluation of JGF and TGP was not included because these are time-limited programs from 2020-21 to 2023-24 and 2023-24 to 2025-26 respectively, and therefore does not require a mandatory evaluation as per subsection 42.1 of the Financial Administration Act and the Treasury Board Policy on Results.
Engagement of applicants and recipients in 2023–24: CanNor's economic development officers regularly engage with applicants and funding recipients throughout the project development cycle.
| Type of transfer payment | 2021–22 actual spending | 2022–23 actual spending | 2023–24 planned spending | 2023–24 total authorities available for use | 2023–24 actual spending (authorities used) | Variance (2023–24 actual minus 2023–24 planned) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Total grants | 56,825 | 145,000 | 2,500,000 | 3,184,187 | 3,091,833 | 591,833 |
| Total contributions | 40,204,220 | 60,927,653 | 42,360,500Table note * | 44,598,140 | 44,598,140 | 2,237,640 |
| Total other types of transfer payments | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Total program | 40,261,045 | 61,072,653 | 44,860,500 | 47,782,327 | 47,675,531 | 2,815,031 |
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Explanation of variances
The variance between planned spending, total authorities available for use, and actual spending primarily arises from the inclusion of funds reallocated from the previous year. These funds were allocated to complete the Regional Training Center in Pond Inlet for the Qikiqtani Inuit Association, the Canada Community Revitalization Fund, and new investments to support tourism growth in the North. This reflects the government's commitment to investing in these crucial programs and funding initiatives.
Northern Indigenous Economic Opportunities Programs (Voted)
Start date: April 1, 2014
End date: Ongoing
Type of transfer payment: Contribution
Type of appropriation: Annually through Estimates
Fiscal year for terms and conditions: 2013-14, revised 2017, revised 2022
Link to departmental result(s):
- Businesses are developing in the Territories
- People and Communities participate in the economy in the Territories
Link to the department's program inventory:
- Business Development
- Community Development
Purpose and objectives of transfer payment program: Through this transfer payment authority, including through additional funding received through Budget 2022, CanNor delivers the Northern Indigenous Economic Opportunities Program (NIEOP), to create Indigenous employment, support Indigenous entrepreneurship, and help build resilience in Indigenous communities through economic development, leading to territorial economic growth. The enhanced Program comprises three streams:
- Community Readiness and Opportunities Planning (CROP) stream, which provides project-based support to Indigenous communities and organizations for capacity and readiness activities so that communities are able to plan for, pursue and participate in economic opportunities. A Budget 2022 decision also approved additional funds to support the reintroduction of core funding to Indigenous rights-holding organizations.
- Entrepreneurship and Business Development (EBD) stream, which assists Indigenous entrepreneurs, businesses and organizations in the pursuit of economic opportunities for the benefit of Indigenous Peoples. The stream includes project-based support for activities that facilitate the establishment or expansion of Indigenous businesses.
- The Northern Indigenous Economic Research Stream, provides project-based support for research, knowledge transfer, and distribution of information to establish a research agenda and target research proposals that can contribute to the territorial Indigenous business ecosystem. This transfer payment program may be conditionally or unconditionally repayable.
Considerations for repayability are outlined in the program's terms and conditions.
Results achieved: Through CROP, in 2023-24, CanNor provided $9.6 millions to 41 Indigenous projects to enhance community economic infrastructure, increase employment, and improve conditions for community economic development.
Through EBD in 2023–24, CanNor supported four approved Service Delivery Partners (SDP) with a total of $2.7 millions. These partners are third-party Indigenous service providers with direct linkages into northern communities. CanNor's financial support afforded these Indigenous service providers greater capacity to assist Indigenous entrepreneurs, businesses and commercial entities to continue to cultivate a culture of entrepreneurship and increase the number of sustainable, resilient and prosper Indigenous businesses.
Findings of audits completed in 2023–24: No audits were completed during the reporting year.
Findings of evaluations completed in 2023–24: An evaluation of NIEOP, formerly named NAEOP, was completed in 2023-24. This evaluation covered the time period of 2016-17 to 2020-21, and concluded that the Program remains relevant to government commitments for Indigenous economic development and job creation. Evidence shows progress in establishing partnerships, conducting preliminary studies, supporting economic development project preparation/readiness work, and in achieving overall intended outcomes.
The evaluation identified three recommendations:
- develop a strategy that identifies economic development opportunities and local service demands that can be met by local resources with Program support;
- collaborate with communities to develop communication strategies that improve awareness, communication and coordination with federal/territorial economic development services; and
- review funding levels to ensure that contributions and funding awards account for inflation and actual costs of doing businesses in the North.
A Management Response Action Plan (MRAP) was created to respond to the recommendations outlined in the evaluation and are available on CanNor's Audit and Evaluation website page.
The next planned evaluation for NIEOP is set for 2028-29.
Engagement of applicants and recipients in 2023–24: CanNor continued to engage program recipients and stakeholders regarding the inclusion of capacity-related funding. In addition, CanNor's economic development officers regularly engage with applicants and funding recipients throughout the project development cycle.
As part of initiatives under the Northern Indigenous Economic Research Stream, CanNor will also identify research priorities through engagement with Indigenous communities and educational institutions. It is expected that the first signed contribution agreements will start in 2024-25.
| Type of transfer payment | 2021–22 actual spending | 2022–23 actual spending | 2023–24 planned spending | 2023–24 total authorities available for use | 2023–24 actual spending (authorities used) | Variance (2023–24 actual minus 2023–24 planned) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Total grants | ||||||
| Total contributions | 10,728,988 | 13,199,993 | 13,200,000 | 13,200,000Table note * | 13,200,000Table note * | |
| Total other types of transfer payments | ||||||
| Total program | 10,728,988 | 13,199,993 | 13,200,000 | 13,200,000 | 13,200,000 | |
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Explanation of variances
No variance to be reported.
Regional Economic Growth Through Innovation
Start date: October 18, 2018
End date: REGI – CanNor specific funding until 2025-26
Type of transfer payment: Grants and Contribution
Type of appropriation: Annually through Estimates
Fiscal year for terms and conditions: 2019-2020
Link to departmental result(s): Businesses are developing in the Territories
Link to the department's program inventory: Business Development
Purpose and objectives of transfer payment program: The Regional Economic Growth Through Innovation (REGI) initiative builds on the objectives of the Innovation and Skills Plan. The goal of REGI is to provide streamlined, nationally consistent and yet regionally tailored support for business productivity and scale-up, particularly for SMEs and women entrepreneurs and other underrepresented groups, and assist the enhancement of regional industrial and technology clusters and regional innovation ecosystems.
Contributions issued under REGI may be unconditionally or conditionally repayable, or non-repayable.
Results achieved: In 2023-24, CanNor provided $1.3 millions to 4 projects in REGI funding to support long-term agreements with innovators and the commercialization of new products and services across Yukon and Northwest Territories.
Findings of audits completed in 2023–24: No audits were completed during the reporting year.
Findings of evaluations completed in 2023–24: An evaluation of REGI was completed in 2023-24. CanNor participated in a national evaluation of the REGI program conducted by the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency (ACOA). It covered 2018-19 to 2022-23 period. The evaluation finds that the program continues to be relevant and meets the needs of Canadian businesses and communities, while contributing to business growth, ecosystem advancement and economic development in all regions.
The evaluation identified three recommendations:
- improve inclusivity through the adoption of best practices, proactive approaches and ongoing GBA Plus analysis;
- enhance quality and consistency of performance information; and
- increase the efficiency of application, approval, and referral processes, and align program design with needs.
A Management Response Action Plan (MRAP) was created to respond to the recommendations outlined in the evaluation and are available on CanNor's Audit and Evaluation website page.
The next planned evaluation for REGI is set for 2027-28.
Engagement of applicants and recipients in 2023–24: CanNor's economic development officers regularly engage with applicants and funding recipients throughout the project development cycle.
| Type of transfer payment | 2021–22 actual spending | 2022–23 actual spending | 2023–24 planned spending | 2023–24 total authorities available for use | 2023–24 actual spending (authorities used) | Variance (2023–24 actual minus 2023–24 planned) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Total grants | 168,168 | |||||
| Total contributions | 4,555,243 | 1,518,884 | 1,239,790 | 1,254,232 | 1,254,232 | |
| Total other types of transfer payments | ||||||
| Total program | 4,555,243 | 1,518,884 | 1,407,958 | 1,254,232 | 1,254,232 |
Explanation of variances
The planned spending for the REGI program was not included in the 2023-24 Departmental Plan due to the funding being received in-year through the Estimates processes.