In Alberta, the partnership represents $508 million in funding over five years that will provide grants to programs that support the needs of Alberta’s agriculture and agri-food sector.
Alberta’s programs will aim to create new jobs and spur growth in the agriculture sector by supporting value-added processing competitiveness, attracting new investment and expanding irrigation capacity that will boost crop production.
"The new Sustainable CAP provides flexibility to deliver programs that will help producers grow their business and improve productivity while addressing the unique challenges of farming in Alberta. Alberta's producers are among the best in the world when it comes to sustainable practices, and we will continue to support their efforts to feed the world while protecting the environment for generations to come.”
“The Sustainable Canadian Agricultural Partnership is an ambitious way forward while we collaborate to ensure economic, environmental and social success for the sector. This historic investment will help producers and processors in Alberta to innovate, to grow, to prosper and to be competitive.”
The programs will also continue protecting plant and animal health and animal welfare, managing risks to Alberta’s natural resources and investing in producer-led agriculture research.
Producers also have access to an enhanced suite of business risk management programs to help them manage significant risks that threaten the viability of their farms and are beyond their capacity to manage.
In total, the Sustainable Canadian Agricultural Partnership (Sustainable CAP) is a five-year, $3.5-billion investment by Canada's federal, provincial and territorial governments that supports Canada's agri-food and agri-products sectors. This includes $1 billion in federal programs and activities and a $2.5-billion commitment that is cost-shared 60 per cent federally and 40 per cent provincially/territorially for programs that are designed and delivered by provinces and territories.
Compared with the current partnership, which expires at the end of the month, there is a $500-million increase in cost-shared funding. Half of this additional funding will help develop and implement the Resilient Agricultural Landscape Program, which will support carbon sequestration, and protect grasslands and wetlands on agricultural lands.
The Sustainable Canadian Agricultural Partnership comes into effect April 1 and replaces the Canadian Agricultural Partnership (CAP).
Quick facts
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Sustainable CAP represents the fifth pan-Canadian agreement on agriculture, agri-food and agri-based products policy. It replaces CAP (2018-2023), Growing Forward 2 (2013-2018), Growing Forward (2008-2013) and the Agriculture Policy Framework (2003-2008).
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On March 6, the federal government announced that applications are being accepted for federal programs under Sustainable CAP that will take effect on April 1.
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The Sustainable CAP framework provides flexibility for Alberta to develop and deliver programs that are aligned with the needs of Alberta’s agriculture and agri-food sector and Government of Alberta priorities. Programs will align with five priority areas:
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building sector capacity, growth and competitiveness
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climate change and environmental protection
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science, research and innovation
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market development and trade
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resiliency and public trust
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