Industry Canada and Other Federal Programs

KEY INDUSTRY CANADA AND OTHER FEDERAL GOVERNMENT INITIATIVES AND PROGRAMS AVAILABLE TO INDUSTRIES
INCLUDING THE CANADIAN APPAREL INDUSTRY

 

1.1 Apparel Human Resources Council (AHRC)
The AHRC, funded by the Department of Human Resources and Skills Development Canada, focuses the attention and commitment of industry partners to take action by developing human resources solutions that are specific to the apparel industry. The AHRC website provides information on initiatives available to the apparel industry.
http://www.apparelconnexion.ca

1.2 Duty Remission (Finance Canada Policy)
In 2001, a remission order for designer fabrics was created, which allows designers to import high-end fabrics duty free until December 2010.
http://www.fin.gc.ca/n05/05-071-eng.asp

1.3 Industry Canada Sectoral Development Initiatives
Industry Canada publishes information products and industry data. Among the studies is the document entitled A Canadian Approach to the Apparel Global Value Chain which discusses strategies and challenges faced by apparel companies in pursuing new business models. This document can be found on Industry Canada’s website along with other industry information.
www.ic.gc.ca/eic/site/apparel-vetements.nsf/eng/ap03304.html

1.4 Canada Small Business Financing Program (Industry Canada)
This program seeks to increase the availability of loans for establishing, expanding, modernizing and improving small businesses. It does this by encouraging financial institutions to make their financing available to small businesses. Industry Canada is responsible for the administration of the Program but financial institutions are responsible for all credit decisions and for making the loans.
http://www.ic.gc.ca/eic/site/csbfp-pfpec.nsf/eng/Home

1.5 Canadian Trade Commissioner Service (Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade)
The Trade Commissioner Service helps companies that have researched and selected their target markets. The Service works with companies that can demonstrate their commitment to succeed in the global marketplace.
http://www.tradecommissioner.gc.ca/eng/market-report-access.jsp

1.6 Export Development Canada (EDC)
EDC is a Crown corporation operating as a commercial financial institution. It provides trade financing and risk management services that help Canadian exporters and investors of all sizes do business in some 200 global markets.
http://www.edc.ca

1.7 Global Opportunities for Associations (GOA) (formally PEMD- Associations) (Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade)
GOA provides contribution funding to support national associations undertaking new or expanded international business development activities, in strategic markets and sectors, for the benefit of an entire industry (member and non-member firms).
http://www.tradecommissioner.gc.ca/eng/funding/global-opportunities-associations/home.jsp

1.8 Capital Cost Incentives to Businesses
To help manufacturing and processing businesses become more productive and globally successful, significant measures to position Canada’s economy for long-term recovery and to stimulate manufacturing and processing machinery and equipment investments have been put in place. These measures also include introducing a temporary 100-per-cent capital cost allowance (CCA) rate for computers acquired after January 27, 2009 and before February 1, 2011 and extending the temporary 50-per-cent straight-line accelerated CCA rate to investment in manufacturing or processing machinery and equipment undertaken in 2010 and 2011, as well as permanently eliminating tariffs on a range of machinery and equipment.
http://www.cra-arc.gc.ca/tx/bsnss/tpcs/slprtnr/rprtng/cptl/thngs-eng.html

1.9 Scientific Research and Experimental Development (SR&ED) Tax Incentive Program (Canada Revenue Agency)
The SR&ED provides tax incentives (in the form of tax credits and/or refund) to encourage Canadian businesses of all sizes and in all sectors to conduct research and development (R&D) in Canada that will lead to new, improved, or technologically advanced products or processes. The SR&ED program is the largest single source of federal government support for industrial research and development.
http://www.cra-arc.gc.ca/txcrdt/sred-rsde/menu-eng.html

2.0 Targeted Initiative for Older Workers (Human Resources and Skills Development Canada)
The Targeted Initiative for Older Workers introduced in 2006, was later extended for three years - to March 31, 2012. This initiative will help unemployed older workers in communities experiencing ongoing high unemployment and/or with a high reliance on a single industry affected by downsizing. Projects will be designed to improve the employability of participants from 55 to 64 years of age, and may assist them through activities such as prior learning assessment, skills upgrading, and experience in new fields of work.
http://www.hrsdc.gc.ca/en/cs/sp/hrsd/eppd/tiow.shtml

 

Federal Regional Development Agencies and FedNor (various programs)

The federal government's regional development agencies and FedNor provide programs aimed at improving the economy of Canadian communities. Regional Development Agencies are headquartered in different areas of Canada, including Atlantic Canada, Western Canada, Québec, and Northern Ontario. A listing of selected programs delivered by these agencies follows:

3.0 Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency Business Development Program
This ACOA program is designed to help set up, expand or modernize businesses. Focusing on small- and medium-sized enterprises, the program offers access to capital in the form of interest-free, unsecured, repayable contributions
http://www.acoa-apeca.gc.ca/Pages/Welcome-Bienvenue.aspx

3.1 Western Economic Diversification Canada Growth Capital Loan Program
The Growth Capital Loan Program is designed to benefit small and medium-sized businesses in British Columbia in traditional industries. The program is designed to provide debt financing for projects not normally financed by traditional lending institutions.
http://www.wd.gc.ca/eng/home.asp

3.2 Canada Economic Development for Québec Regions Business and Regional Growth Program
This program is designed to help SMEs improve their performance, become more competitive and engage in more innovation to facilitate their sustainable development. It also aims to support the transfer of technology and research outputs to enterprises.
http://www.dec-ced.gc.ca/eng/index.html

3.2.1 World Trade Center Montreal (City of Montreal)
This project focuses on helping specifically SME from the greater Montreal Region to adapt to new realities of international markets. SME should contact directly Mr Guy Jobin, Director of the World Trade Center Montreal at: 514-496-5918.

3.3 Federal Economic Development Initiative for Northern Ontario (FedNor) Northern Ontario Development Program
This program promotes economic growth throughout a diverse geographic area – stretching from Muskoka Lakes to James Bay, and from the Manitoba border to western Quebec. Program contributions are available to support projects in areas such as innovation, business financing and information and communications technology.
http://www.ic.gc.ca/eic/site/fednor-fednor.nsf/Intro

3.4 Federal Economic Development Agency for Southern Ontario (FedDev Ontario) Southern Ontario Development Program
This new multi-year program is designed to stimulate local economies and enhance the growth and competitiveness of local businesses and communities.
http://southernontario.gc.ca/eic/site/723.nsf/eng/home

 

SELECTED PROVINCIAL PROGRAMS AND ACTIVITIES

4.1 Province of Quebec
4.1.1 Promode Initiative
This Initiative is unique to the Province of Québec. This measure targets the Fashion and Design industries to answer to specific needs of the companies in the Apparel industry. Information about this Provincial initiative can be found at:
http://www.mdeie.gouv.qc.ca/index.php?id=3714

4.2 Province of Ontario
4.2.1 CME SMART program
The Government of Ontario is providing funding to the Canadian Manufacturers & Exporters for the delivery of the SMART Program to help small and medium-sized manufacturers in Ontario improve their productivity so they can compete more effectively in the global economy.
http://www.cme-smart.ca/

4.2.2 Advanced Manufacturing Investment Strategy (AMIS) Program (Ontario Ministry of Economic Development and Trade)
The AMIS program is a repayable loan program to encourage companies to invest in leading edge technologies and processes that will increase productivity and competitiveness. The goal of the AMIS program is to increase economic growth by stimulating private sector investment in innovation and leading edge technologies and processes across a range of sectors.
http://www.investinontario.com/resources/government_programs_progdetails.asp?pID=73