Ontario's Wood Promotions Program - Who may apply for funding
Eligible applicants include:
- primary and secondary wood product associations;
- strategic alliances between (any combination of) individuals, businesses, municipalities, and community organizations (including not-for-profit);
- not-for-profit organizations engaged in the forest or wood products industries; and
- educational institutions that can tie curriculum back to the primary and secondary wood products manufacturing industries, including trades, architecture, engineering, etc.
Individual firms are not eligible for funding.
All applicants must share in the risks of the project, invest in the project, and have a vested interest in completing the project. Applicants must demonstrate their ability to complete the project and carry on needed work after the project is finished. Applicants must establish and present the positive impact the project will have on the forest product and wood manufacturing industries in the province.
Cost-Shared Funding
Projects are cost-shared with the provincial government investing up to 50 per cent of the project's eligible costs in most cases. Under special circumstances, funding of up to 90 per cent of the total eligible projects costs may be available. In-kind contributions are not eligible for cost sharing. Payments are based upon the receipt of paid eligible invoices along with proof of payments, typically eligible from date of application. Applicants however assume the risk of incurring payments before they receive official approval.
How to Submit a Proposal
The program has a continuous application intake, up to the limit of available funds within any given year. The program has an annual allocation of one million dollars.
The program is a discretionary, competitive program and only the best proposals will receive conditional letters of offer, subject to limits on both project and overall program funding. This means that even if a proposal meets all of the program’s objectives and criteria, there is no guarantee that funding will be awarded, as there may be projects that more effectively meet the program’s objectives and criteria. All applicants will be notified of the status of their proposal in writing within 45 days of submitting a completed proposal.
Potential applicants should apply by submitting a business case outlining a clear demonstration of the need for the project, a sound financial plan, including satisfactory assessment of the applicants' financial viability, and demonstrated project feasibility; the economic development potential of the project; and specific outcomes, such as job creation, and performance measures that relate back to the programs objectives.
Periodically the program issues a call for proposals for certain initiatives. For example, colleges and universities across Ontario have been invited to submit proposals for capital assistance for education and training programs that promotes a culture of wood use in Ontario. Since 2010/11, 17 post secondary institutions have received funds for their projects.
Confidentiality - Application forms and supporting material submitted to the Province of Ontario will be subject to the Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act. Any information submitted in confidence should be clearly marked "CONFIDENTIAL" by the applicant.
Selection process
Applications are assessed according to evaluation criteria for the Ontario Wood Promotions Program. Project evaluations are conducted on an individual basis and include the fit of the project with the priorities and objectives of the Ontario Wood Promotions Program; level of commitment of the applicants; demonstrated economic benefits to the forest industry and wood manufacturing sectors; and the amount of financial support from other public and private sector sources.
Successful projects
All applicants for approved projects will be required to sign an Ontario Funding Agreement (i.e., contract) with the Province of Ontario. Applicants are advised to seek legal counsel regarding the terms and conditions of the agreement. All parties signing agreements with the Province of Ontario are required to have comprehensive general liability insurance with coverage for at least $2 million per occurrence. This insurance must show the Province (Her Majesty the Queen in right of Ontario) as an additional insured on the policy and contain the endorsements specified by the agreement and is required throughout the term of the agreement.
Municipalities and First Nations may be required to submit a Municipal By-law or Band Counsel Resolution allowing the municipality or the band to enter into an agreement with the Province of Ontario. All companies and incorporated entities will also be required to provide proof of current status (i.e., certificate of status) and constituting documents (i.e., articles of incorporation or letters patent, etc.) which indicate the full and proper name of the organization as well as the proper signatories to the agreement. In the event that your business or organization is not incorporated (i.e., sole proprietorship, unincorporated association, etc.), please be advised that the individual who signs the agreement on behalf of the business or organization will be assuming personal liability for the project. Moreover, this individual would be subject to all the terms and conditions set forth in the agreement.
