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Table: Details of Transfer Payments Programs


1) Strategic Outcome:
A competitive Atlantic Canadian economy
2) Program Activity
Enterprise Development
3) Transfer Payment Program:
Atlantic Innovation Fund – voted
4) Start Date: 5) End Date:
May 10, 2001 March 31, 2010
6) 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 and 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.

7) 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).

  ($ millions)
  8)
Forecast
Spending
2008-2009
9)
Planned
Spending
2009-2010
10)
Planned
Spending
2010-2011
11)
Planned
Spending
2011-2012
12) Total Contributions 64.1 69.8 38.0 38.0
13) Total 64.1 69.8 38.0 38.0

14) Planned Evaluations:
An innovation impact evaluation is currently being conducted to examine the relevance, success and cost-effectiveness of the Innovation program sub-activities, which include the Atlantic Innovation Fund, the innovation component of the Business Development Program, and the Productivity and Business Skills Initiative. The final report targeted date is June 2009.


1) Strategic Outcome:
A competitive Atlantic Canadian economy
2) Program Activity
Enterprise Development; Community Development; Policy, Advocacy and Coordination
3) Transfer Payment Program:
Business Development Program – voted
4) Start Date: 5) End Date:
July 25, 1995 March 31, 2010
6) 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 ones. 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.

7) Expected Results:
BDP activities support ACOA’s mandate to:
  • increase the number of successful businesses;
  • increase the successful expansion and modernization of SMEs; and
  • enhance the business environment in Atlantic Canada.

  ($ millions)
  8)
Forecast
Spending
2008-2009
9)
Planned
Spending
2009-2010
10)
Planned
Spending
2010-2011
11)
Planned
Spending
2011-2012
Program Activity: Enterprise Development        
12) Total Grants 0.4 1.0 1.0 1.0
12) Total Contributions 95.6 90.1 89.2 89.2
13) Total 96.0 91.1 90.2 90.2
Program Activity: Community Development        
12) Total Grants 0.3 1.0 1.0 1.0
12) Total Contributions 20.9 20.5 23.0 22.5
13) Total 21.2 21.5 24.0 23.5
Program Activity: Policy, Advocacy and Coordination        
12) Total Contributions 0.3 0.5 0.5 0.5
13) Total 0.3 0.5 0.5 0.5
Total of all Program Activities        
12) Total Grants 0.7 2.0 2.0 2.0
12) Total Contributions 116.8 111.1 112.7 112.2
13) Total 117.5 113.1 114.7 114.2

14) Planned Evaluations:
The following evaluations are based on the 2008-2009 ACOA Program Activities Architecture (PAA).

1. An impact evaluation is currently being conducted to examine the relevance, success and cost-effectiveness of the Innovation program sub-activity, which includes the Atlantic Innovation Fund, the innovation component of the Business Development Program, and the Productivity and Business Skills Initiative. The final report targeted date is June 2009.

2. An impact evaluation is being conducted to examine the relevance, success and cost-effectiveness of the following program sub-activities: Community Investment; Community Development Resources; Official Languages Minority Communities; and Aboriginal Communities, which includes the Innovative Communities Fund and the Business Development Program. The final report targeted date is June 2009.

3. An impact evaluation of the Financing Continuum program sub-activity is being conducted to examine its relevance and performance (i.e., effectiveness, efficiency, economy), which includes the Business Development Program element. The final report targeted date is July 2009.

4. An impact evaluation of the Trade and Investment program sub-activities will be conducted in fiscal year 2009-2010 to examine their relevance and performance (i.e., effectiveness, efficiency, economy), which includes the Business Development Program, the Atlantic Trade and Investment Partnership, and the International Business Development Program.

5. An impact evaluation of the Entrepreneurship and Business Skills Development program sub-activity will be conducted in fiscal year 2009-2010 to examine its relevance and performance (i.e., effectiveness, efficiency, economy), which includes the Business Development Program, the Woman in Business Initiative, and the Young Entrepreneur Development Initiative.

6. An impact evaluation of the Policy, Advocacy and Coordination program sub-activities will be conducted in fiscal year 2009-2010 to examine their relevance and performance (i.e., effectiveness, efficiency, economy), which includes the Business Development Program and the Atlantic Policy Research Initiative.



1) Strategic Outcome:
A competitive Atlantic Canadian economy
2) Program Activity
Community Development
3) Transfer Payment Program:
Community Futures Program – voted
4) Start Date: 5) End Date:
May 18, 1995 October 2, 2010
6) 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 athttp://www.acoa-apeca.gc.ca/English/IWantTo/StartABusiness/Pages/GetHelpFinancing.aspx
7) 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.

  ($ millions)
  8)
Forecast
Spending
2008-2009
9)
Planned
Spending
2009-2010
10)
Planned
Spending
2010-2011
11)
Planned
Spending
2011-2012
12) Total Contributions 12.3 13.1 11.0 11.0
13) Total 12.3 13.1 11.0 11.0

14) Planned Evaluations:
An impact evaluation of the Community Futures Program is being conducted across Canada, and in the four agencies administering the program (Western Economic Diversification, Federal Economic Development Initiative for Northern Ontario [FedNor through Industry Canada], Canada Economic Development for Regions in Quebec, and ACOA) to examine relevance, design and delivery, success, cost-effectiveness, and alternatives. The ACOA final evaluation report targeted date is the end of January 2009. The pan-Canadian final evaluation report targeted date is March 2009.


1) Strategic Outcome:
A competitive Atlantic Canadian economy
2) Program Activity
Community Development
3) Transfer Payment Program:
Innovative Communities Fund – voted
4) Start Date: 5) End Date:
April 1, 2005 March 31, 2010
6) 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. 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/English/publications/FactSheetsAndBrochures/Pages/Innovative
_Communities_Fund.aspx
.
7) 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
  • engagement of project partners.

  ($ millions)
  8)
Forecast
Spending
2008-2009
9)
Planned
Spending
2009-2010
10)
Planned
Spending
2010-2011
11)
Planned
Spending
2011-2012
12) Total Contributions 49.1 43.6 42.3 42.3
13) Total 49.1 43.6 42.3 42.3

14) Planned Evaluations:
An impact evaluation is being conducted to examine the relevance, success and cost-effectiveness of the program sub-activities: Community Investment; Community Development Resources; Official Languages Minority Communities; and Aboriginal Communities, which includes the Innovative Communities Fund and the Business Development Program. The final report targeted date is June 2009.


1) Strategic Outcome:
A competitive Atlantic Canadian economy
2) Program Activity
Enterprise Development
3) Transfer Payment Program:
Saint John Shipyard Adjustment Initiative – voted
4) Start Date: 5) End Date:
May 29, 2003 May 31, 2010
6) Description of Transfer Payment Program:
To facilitate closure of the shipyard operations and redevelopment of the site for other economic development use.
7) Expected Results:
To respond to the lack of manufacturing activities and its economic impact on the province of New Brunswick, the Saint John Shipyard Adjustment Initiative short-term results are:
  • demonstration that redevelopment of site is financially feasible;
  • application for assistance for site redevelopment; and
  • site improvements.

  ($ millions)
  8)
Forecast
Spending
2008-2009
9)
Planned
Spending
2009-2010
10)
Planned
Spending
2010-2011
11)
Planned
Spending
2011-2012
12) Total Contributions 0.0 10.0 0.0 0.0
13) Total 0.0 10.0 0.0 0.0

14) Planned Evaluations:
An evaluation of the Saint John Shipyard Adjustment Initiative, which includes the Shipyard Redevelopment Program and the Industrial Diversification Program is planned for fiscal year 2010-2011.