ARCHIVED - Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency - Supplementary Tables

Name of Transfer Payment Program: Atlantic Innovation Fund – Voted

Start Date: May 10, 2001

End Date: Ongoing

Description:
The Atlantic Innovation Fund (AIF) focuses on increasing research and development linked to economic growth and commercialization objectives in areas that are of strategic importance to the region, in particular, the growth of strategic sectors/clusters. The AIF emphasizes building Atlantic Canada’s system of innovation, including components that bridge the gap between research institutions and the marketplace. It encourages synergies among the various components of this system through partnerships, alliances and networks. Furthermore, the AIF supports research and development projects that focus on the areas of natural sciences, applied sciences, and social sciences and humanities, 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 on ACOA's website.

Strategic Outcome: A competitive Atlantic Canadian economy

Results Achieved:
ACOA focuses on accelerating the development of the knowledge-based economy and on facilitating transition within traditional industries. The Agency uses the AIF to increase the region’s capacity to carry out leading-edge research and development and to contribute to the development of new technology-based economic activity in Atlantic Canada. In 2010-11, there were 27 projects approved under the AIF, accounting for over $69 million in ACOA assistance toward projects valued at $116.4 million.

The AIF facilitates the development of strategic sectors characterized by regional clusters of firms. Twenty-one of 27 approved projects in 2010-11, accounting for $49.3 million in AIF funding, augmented development of the IT, life sciences-biotechnology, and oil and gas-oceans technology clusters, and complement the National Research Council’s Atlantic Cluster initiative.

ACOA encourages prospective stakeholders, including universities, colleges, research organizations and private-sector firms, to take an active role in seeking opportunities for partnerships/collaboration. In 2010-11, there were 77 meaningful partnerships stemming from AIF-funded projects.

Furthermore, ACOA continued to support Springboard Atlantic Inc., which combines the research and commercialization strengths of its 19 university and college members to create a pan-Atlantic network. Springboard Atlantic Inc. supports the commercialization of Atlantic Canadian research through the transfer of knowledge and technology to the private sector. This network has been instrumental in facilitating public-private partnerships nationally, internationally and throughout Atlantic Canada.

Program Activity: Enterprise Development
($ millions)

	2008-09 Actual Spending	2009-10 Actual Spending	2010-11 Planned Spending	2010-11 Total Authorities	2010-11 Actual Spending	Variance
Total Contributions	58.1	57.6	38.1	57.1	55.7	(17.6)

Comment on Variance:
Planned spending for 2010-11 was affected by the timing of the approval of ongoing funding for AIF of $19 million (which was approved only on August 3, 2010 – TB #835763). It was excluded from the Main Estimates and, therefore, was not part of the planned spending reported in the 2010-11 Report on Plans and Priorities.

Audit Completed or Planned:

• Completed
  • Audit of Advance Management, completed March 2011
• In Progress
  • Audit of Post-Payment Verification, estimated completion was July 2011
  • Audit of Due Diligence in the Atlantic Innovation Fund, estimated completion December 2011
• Planned (for 2011-12)
  • Audit of Management of Provisionally Repayable Contributions, estimated completion March 2012

Evaluation Completed or Planned:
Following the introduction of the Program Activity Architecture (PAA), the Agency began to conduct evaluations at the program sub-activity level starting in fiscal year 2009-10. In addition to direct program spending, program sub-activity evaluations include the assessment of transfer payment programs. The next planned evaluation of the Innovation program sub-activity (which includes the AIF) is 2013-14.

Name of Transfer Payment Program: Business Development Program – Voted

Start Date: July 25, 1995

End Date: Ongoing

Description:
Through its Business Development Program (BDP), ACOA works to create opportunities for economic growth in Atlantic Canada by helping small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) become more competitive, innovative and productive by working with communities to develop and diversify local economies and by championing the strengths of the region in partnership with Atlantic Canadians.

Strategic Outcome: A competitive Atlantic Canadian economy

Results Achieved:
During 2010-11, to improve productivity and preserve long-term employment prospects, the BDP invested in 27 projects to establish new businesses, 146 projects to help companies expand and/or modernize their facilities, and 64 innovation projects. This program continues to focus on innovation, skills development and trade activities to enhance the business environment in Atlantic Canada. The program serves to fill gaps in the financing continuum for SMEs and entrepreneurs in Atlantic Canada.

The BDP also invested more than $25 million in community development projects in 2010-11. These projects improved community capacity to identify economic development needs and opportunities, ensured that Atlantic Canada businesses had access to capital as well as business information and counselling, and improved community capacity to address economic and business development needs and opportunities. More information on the BDP can be found on ACOA's website.

Program Activity: Enterprise Development
($ millions)

	2008-09 Actual Spending	2009-10 Actual Spending	2010-11 Planned Spending	2010-11 Total Authorities	2010-11 Actual Spending	Variance
Total Grants	0.2	0.1	0.1	1.0	0.2	(0.1)
Total Contributions	99.9	105.7	87.5	92.9	108.6	(21.1)
Total Program Activity	100.1	105.8	87.6	93.9	108.8	(21.2)

Program Activity: Community Development
($ millions)

	2008-09 Actual Spending	2009-10 Actual Spending	2010-11 Planned Spending	2010-11 Total Authorities	2010-11 Actual Spending	Variance
Total Grants	0.5	0.3	0.1	1.0	0.4	(0.3)
Total Contributions	23.3	42.3	28.5	23.9	39.6	(11.1)
Total Program Activity	23.8	42.6	28.6	24.9	40.0	(11.4)

Program Activity: Policy, Advocacy and Coordination
($ millions)

	2008-09 Actual Spending	2009-10 Actual Spending	2010-11 Planned Spending	2010-11 Total Authorities	2010-11 Actual Spending	Variance
Total Grants	0.0	0.0	0.0	0.0	0.1	(0.1)
Total Contributions	0.6	0.7	0.5	0.5	0.6	(0.1)
Total Program Activity	0.6	0.7	0.5	0.5	0.7	(0.2)
Total for TPP	124.5	149.1	116.7	119.9	149.5	(32.8)

Comments on Variances:
An additional $32.8 million was made available for the BDP during the year due to an increased demand for programming. This provided funding to SMEs facing challenges during the current economic downturn and for the funding of initiatives in communities.

Audit Completed or Planned:

• Completed
  • Follow-up on the 2006-07 Audit of the Business Development Program, completed February 2011
  • Audit of Due Diligence in the Business Development Program, completed February 2011
  • Audit of Advance Management, completed March 2011
  • Audit of Due Diligence in the Delivery of the Economic Action Plan (Recreational Infrastructure Canada program and Canada Adjustment Fund), completed July 2011
• In Progress
  • Audit of Post-Payment Verification, estimated completion was July 2011
• Planned (for 2011-12)
  • Audit of Business Development Program – Monitoring of Commercial Projects, estimated completion December 2011
  • Follow up of Audit of Trade and Investment, estimated completion December 2011
  • Audit of Due Diligence – Non-Commercial Projects, estimated completion March 2012
  • Audit of Management of Provisionally Repayable Contributions, estimated completion March 2012

Evaluation Completed or Planned:
Following the introduction of the Program Activity Architecture (PAA), the Agency began to conduct evaluations at the program sub-activity level starting in fiscal year 2009-10. In addition to direct program spending, program sub-activity evaluations include the assessment of transfer payment programs. Evaluations completed or in progress related to the Business Development Program include:

• Evaluation of the Financing Continuum Program Sub-activity, completed September 2010
• Evaluation of the Trade and Investment Program Sub-activity, completed September 2010
• Evaluation of the Entrepreneurship and Business Skills Development Program Sub-activity, completed September 2010
• Evaluation of Business Skills Development, completed June 2011
• Evaluation of the Policy, Advocacy and Coordination Program Sub-activities, estimated completion date of October 2011

Name of Transfer Payment Program: Community Futures Program – Voted

Start Date: May 18, 1995

End Date: Ongoing (renewed on an ongoing basis as of October 2011)

Description:
The Community Futures (CF) Program supports community economic development and builds the capacity of communities to realize their full sustainable potential. The program provides financial support to CF organizations (i.e. Community Business Development Corporations in Atlantic Canada), enabling them, in collaboration with other partners and stakeholders, to assess their respective situation and develop strategies to meet their needs. The CF Program also provides support to small and medium-sized enterprises and social enterprises for undertaking appropriate community economic development initiatives.

Strategic Outcome: A competitive Atlantic Canadian economy

Results Achieved:
In 2010-11, Community Business Development Corporations (CBDCs) continued to achieve sustainable solutions for their economic need by approving 1,121 loans that represent an investment of $52.5 million and 954 new jobs in rural communities in the Atlantic region. The CBDCs also provided 7,844 counselling sessions to clients throughout the region. The Agency provides other support by using various funding programs to respond to the need for building community economic development capacity and identifying opportunities, which includes regional strategic planning.

Program Activity: Community Development
($ millions)

	2008-09 Actual Spending	2009-10 Actual Spending	2010-11 Planned Spending	2010-11 Total Authorities	2010-11 Actual Spending	Variance
Total Contributions	12.4	13.0	11.0	12.6	12.9	(1.9)

Comment on Variance:
The variance between planned spending and actual spending occurred because the incremental funding for the CF Treasury Board Submission was approved in September 2010, which affected the normal budgeting cycle. Additional funding was subsequently received.

Audit Completed or Planned:

• Completed
  • Follow-up on the 2006-07 Audit of Community Development, completed November 2010
  • Audit of Advance Management, completed March 2011
• In Progress
  • Audit of Post-Payment Verification, estimated completion was July 2011
• Planned (for 2011-12)
  • Follow-up of Audit of Community Futures, estimated completion December 2011

Evaluation Completed or Planned:
Following the introduction of the Program Activity Architecture (PAA), the Agency began to conduct evaluations at the program sub-activity level starting in fiscal year 2009-10. In addition to direct program spending, program sub-activity evaluations include the assessment of transfer payment programs. The next planned evaluation of the Community-based Business Development program sub-activity (which includes the Community Futures Program) is 2012-13. This evaluation is expected to be completed before June 2014.

Name of Transfer Payment Program: Innovative Communities Fund – Voted

Start Date: April 1, 2005

End Date: Ongoing (renewed as an ongoing program in March 2010)

Description:
The program is designed to support strategic initiatives that respond to the economic development needs of communities through non-repayable contributions. To effectively address the wide range of challenges and opportunities of regions, communities and sectors, the Innovative Communities Fund (ICF) takes a comprehensive approach to working with communities at various stages along the economic development continuum while ensuring sustainable economic outcomes.

The ICF has three distinct components. The first component, Strategic Community Capacity (SC), is designed to support non-commercial, non-profit strategic initiatives that target the economic development needs of rural communities. The second, Proactive Investments (PI), is intended to stimulate transformative change. This component supports proactive identification and implementation of strategic opportunities with local partners. The third component, the Community Adjustment Fund (CAF), was a two-year funding initiative ending March 31, 2011, that was part of Canada’s Economic Action Plan (CEAP). CAF was put in place by the Government of Canada to provide economic stimulus to mitigate the short-term impacts of the economic downturn; it created employment opportunities and addressed transitional and adjustment challenges in restructuring communities. In Atlantic Canada, ACOA delivered CAF using its existing Innovative Communities Fund (ICF) and Business Development Program.

Strategic Outcome: A competitive Atlantic Canadian economy

Results Achieved:
During fiscal year 2010-11, 159 projects were approved under the ICF, of which 142 were funded under the SC component, 17 under the PI component. Another 20 projects were funded under the CAF component. The 159 projects approved under the original ICF (SC and PI components) had total project costs of $119.4 million, with an ACOA contribution of $45.5 million and dollars leveraged amounting to $73.9 million. The 20 CAF projects had total project costs of $8.1 million, with an ACOA contribution of $3.8 million and dollars leveraged amounting to $4.3 million.

In 2010-11, ACOA continued to work in partnership with communities and stakeholders in strategic investments that focused on infrastructure, capacity building at the community level, and business-sector development. Strategic investments reflect economic development plans and priorities that are elaborated and implemented by communities. The ICF exceeded its annual target for partnership, with a total of 495 collaborators for 308 approved projects.

Program Activity: Community Development
($ millions)

	2008-09 Actual Spending	2009-10 Actual Spending	2010-11 Planned Spending	2010-11 Total Authorities	2010-11 Actual Spending	Variance
Total Contributions	48.9	73.4	87.8	92.8	72.8	15.0

Comment on Variance:
The variance can be explained by the timing of the program’s renewal and ACOA’s focus on the delivery of initiatives under Canada’s Economic Action Plan, such as the Community Adjustment Fund and Recreational Infrastructure Canada program.

Audit Completed or Planned:

• Completed
  • Follow-up on the 2006-07 Audit of Community Development, completed November 2010
  • Audit of Advance Management, completed March 2011
  • Audit of Due Diligence in the Delivery of the Economic Action Plan (Recreational Infrastructure Canada Program and Canada Adjustment Fund), completed July 2011
• In Progress
  • Audit of Post-Payment Verification, estimated completion was July 2011
• Planned (for 2011-12)
  • Audit of Due Diligence – Non-Commercial Projects, estimated completion March 2012

Evaluation Completed or Planned:
Following the introduction of the Program Activity Architecture (PAA), the Agency began to conduct evaluations at the program sub-activity level starting in fiscal year 2009-10. In addition to direct program spending, program sub-activity evaluations include the assessment of transfer payment programs. The next planned evaluation of the Community Investment program sub-activity (which includes the ICF) is 2012-13.

Name of Transfer Payment Program: Recreational Infrastructure Canada – Voted

Start Date: April 1, 2009

End Date: October 31, 2011

Description:
The Recreational Infrastructure Canada (RInC) program provided $500 million nationally for projects to assist in the rehabilitation of recreational facilities across Canada. The initial end date for the RInC program was March 31, 2011. An extension to the program was announced on December 2, 2010, with a new end date of October 31, 2011.

Through RInC, the Government of Canada committed to support upgrades and repairs of existing recreational assets, including new construction that adds to or replaces existing recreational infrastructure assets or capacity. The program was designed to provide a timely, targeted stimulus to the economy and to help mitigate the impacts of the global economic recession by increasing the total volume of construction activity related to recreational infrastructure. Through the rehabilitation of recreational infrastructure, this program also encouraged participation in physical activity and community building.

Strategic Outcome: A competitive Atlantic Canadian economy

Results Achieved: ACOA has fully committed its RInC allocation by investing $34.2 million in 230 approved projects across Atlantic Canada. During fiscal year 2010-11, seven projects were approved under RInC, with total projects costs of $1.6 million and dollars leveraged amounting to $1.2 million. Since the beginning of the RInC program, 188 projects were successfully completed by March 31, 2011, and 49 were proposed to be extended to October 31, 2011.

Program Activity: Community Development
($ millions)

	2008-09 Actual Spending	2009-10 Actual Spending	2010-11 Planned Spending	2010-11 Total Authorities	2010-11 Actual Spending	Variance
Total Contributions	0.0	11.3	22.4	24.0	19.4	3.0

Comment on Variance:
The discrepancy is due to a number of factors, many of which were beyond ACOA’s control, including severe weather conditions and consequent delays to construction schedules. Forty-nine projects were proposed for an extension to October 31, 2011, as per the conditions announced by the Prime Minister in December 2010.

Audit Completed or Planned:

• Completed
  • Audit of Advance Management, completed March 2011
  • Audit of Due Diligence in the Delivery of the Economic Action Plan (Recreational Infrastructure Canada program and Canada Adjustment Fund), completed July 2011
• In Progress
  • Audit of Post-Payment Verification, estimated completion was July 2011
• Planned (for 2011-12)
  •  None

Evaluation Completed or Planned:
Not applicable. There is no evaluation planned for this transfer payment program.

Name of Transfer Payment Program: Saint John Shipyard Adjustment Initiative – Voted

Start Date: May 29, 2003

End Date: May 31, 2011

Description:
The initiative aims to address the economic impact of the lack of manufacturing activities at the site of the former Saint John shipbuilding yard in the province of New Brunswick.

Strategic Outcome: A competitive Atlantic Canadian economy

Results Achieved:
On June 16, 2010, the Minister of ACOA agreed to make changes to the Saint John Shipyard Adjustment Initiative (SJSAI). These modifications allowed for the extension of the project approval date to May 31, 2011, and for project contract payments to be made beyond this date.

On March 4, 2011, the Minister approved a $6.1-million project for Atlantic Wallboard Limited Partnership to install natural gypsum rock crushing equipment at its plant in Saint John. A total of $3 million was committed for the 2010-11 fiscal year, in addition to $3.1 million that will flow in 2011-12.

Program Activity: Community Development
($ millions)

	2008-09 Actual Spending	2009-10 Actual Spending	2010-11 Planned Spending	2010-11 Total Authorities	2010-11 Actual Spending	Variance
Total Contributions	0.0	0.0	10.0	10.0	3.0	7.0

Comment on Variance:
The client did not proceed with the project, which was expected to flow $10 million during fiscal 2010-11. A replacement project was not approved until late in the year, and only $3 million of the approved project funds were expended during the year. The balance of this project and the remaining initiative funds are expected to flow during 2011-12, with two projects currently under review.

Audit Completed or Planned: None

Evaluation Completed or Planned:
Not applicable. There is no evaluation planned for this transfer payment program.