Western Economic Diversification Canada
www.wd-deo.gc.ca
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Frequently Asked Questions
- Who is benefiting from the Community Adjustment Fund?
- When are project proposals due?
- Who can I contact for more information?
- Will the Community Adjustment Fund become a permanent program?
- Which communities are eligible for funding under the Community Adjustment Fund?
- What type of communities should CAF projects benefit?
- Is Western Economic Diversification Canada funding businesses under the Community Adjustment Fund?
- How much of the Community Adjustment Fund will be invested in the West?
- How much will the federal government contribute toward Community Adjustment Fund projects?
- How are projects being assessed?
- Can an infrastructure project be considered under CAF?
- When will I hear if my application has been successful?
- How quickly will projects be assessed?
- Does my project require an Environmental Assessment?
- Are there any special requirements I should be aware of if I am successful and receive project funding?
1. Who is benefiting from the Community Adjustment Fund?
Many communities across Canada rely on industrial sectors that have been hard hit by current economic conditions, including forestry, mining, energy, agriculture, fisheries and manufacturing. The Community Adjustment Fund (CAF) is giving priority to severely affected communities that are resource-based and/or that depend on a limited industry base.
top of page2. When are project proposals due?
The deadline for submitting an application for program funding has passed.
3. Who can I contact for more information?
For more information on the initiative, please visit Western Economic Diversification Canada’s website: http://www.wd-deo.gc.ca/.
If you have further questions about CAF, please contact:
Western Economic Diversification Canada
Toll Free: 1 888 338-WEST (9378)
Teletypewriter (TTY): 1 877 303-3388
Email: caf-fac@wd-deo.gc.ca
For more information on the Job Opportunities Program (JOP) for projects in British Columbia, please visit: Job Opportunities Program.
4. Will the Community Adjustment Fund become a permanent program?
The Community Adjustment Fund (CAF) is a two-year program. All projects funded under the CAF must be completed no later than March 31, 2011.
5. Which communities are eligible for funding under the Community Adjustment Fund?
The focus of the Community Adjustment Fund (CAF) is to help create and/or maintain jobs in the short-term. The fund will support projects in and around affected communities. Priority will be given to rural, single-industry communities.
6. What type of communities should CAF projects benefit?
Communities with populations under 250,000 that have been adversely affected by the economic downturn were eligible to apply for projects under CAF. These communities:
- have experienced significant job losses and lack alternative employment opportunities, or
- have experienced at least a 20% increase in the number of EI beneficiaries in the past year.
The focus of the Community Adjustment Fund (CAF) is to help create and/or maintain jobs in the short-term. The fund is supporting projects in and around affected communities. Priority will be given to rural, single industry communities that are reliant on resource based industries (i.e.: forestry, mining, energy, agriculture and fisheries) and to communities that are reliant on the manufacturing industry.
7. Is Western Economic Diversification Canada funding businesses under the Community Adjustment Fund?
Businesses located in and around affected communities are eligible to apply for funding under the Community Adjustment Fund to create new jobs or maintain jobs that would otherwise be lost. Contributions to commercial enterprises may be made on a repayable basis.
8. How much of the Community Adjustment Fund will be invested in the West?
The Community Adjustment Fund will inject $306 million in Western Canada over two years to help create jobs and support adjustment measures in communities impacted by the global economic downturn.
9. How much will the federal government contribute toward Community Adjustment Fund projects?
Priority will be given to projects in and around eligible communities that leverage funds from provinces, territories and other funding partners. For details, please discuss federal contribution levels with WD staff.
10. How are projects being assessed?
Priority is being given to projects in and around eligible communities that:
- Are located in rural, single-industry communities;
- Create jobs and maintain employment;
- Leverage funds from provinces, territories and other funding partners;
- Build on partnership arrangements already in place (e.g. federal-provincial/territorial agreements) and existing programs; and,
- Provide a legacy of longer-term economic benefits.
Applications from eligible communities are being assessed against the priority criteria listed above.
11. Can an infrastructure project be considered under CAF?
Projects that are eligible for funding under any federal infrastructure program are not being considered for funding under the Community Adjustment Fund.
12. When will I hear if my application has been successful?
Western Economic Diversification Canada will contact you as soon as your application is approved so that you can begin work on the project immediately.
13. How quickly will projects be assessed?
CAF projects are complex and WD staff continues to work hard to review and approve the remaining eligible projects as quickly as possible. As of February 18, 2010, a majority of CAF project decisions have been made.
14. Does my project require an Environmental Assessment?
If your project includes new construction, it may be subject to review under the Canadian Environmental Assessment Act. Please contact your regional WD Office to discuss this further.
15. Are there any special requirements I should be aware of if I am successful and receive project funding?
As projects are implemented, Western Economic Diversification Canada (WD) will monitor recipients’ progress against a set of performance milestones included in each contribution agreement. Recipients will be required to report quarterly on progress towards job creation and other measures.
An independent evaluation will also be conducted at the end of the program to evaluate success and effectiveness, and to measure short-term outputs such as the number of jobs created and/or maintained, new business start-ups, number of projects approved and total funds committed.
