Funding Alert: Labour Force Management Strategies Initiative (LFMSI)

The Labour Force Management Strategies Initiative (LFMSI) offers funding for Ontario pilot projects that implement innovative attraction, recruitment and/or retention strategies to help address local labour force challenges in the agri-food industry. $4,000,000 has been allocated to LFMSI through the S-CAP.

Intake Period:

Oct 22, 2024 – Sep 2, 2025 (or until funding is fully allocated)

Program Funding Amount

• 50% of eligible costs up to a maximum of $40,000 per project (single producer/processor)
• 50% of eligible costs up to a maximum of $100,000 per project (industry orgs/collaborations)

*Applicants can have a maximum of 2 approved projects through LFMSI

Eligible Applicants: Labour Force Management Strategies Initiative (LFMSI)

• Primary Producer or Processor with a valid Premises ID (and FBRN for Primary Producers)
• Industry Organization

Eligible Activities

Must address an identified need and support attraction, recruitment and/or retention of staff:

• Piloting incremental worker supports, such as related to transportation, language, dependent care solutions and employer-specific or sector-based training.
• Piloting incremental recruitment strategies within Ontario, such as workforce attraction marketing campaigns or job promotional events.
• Development of new or incremental HR policies and programs to mitigate recruitment and retention issues.
• Planning for on-site amenities for employees, such as health/wellness facilities, recreational facilities, religious accommodations or dependent care spaces.

Eligible Costs

Must be incurred after application approval but prior to Feb 28, 2026. Includes:

• Goods/Supplies (e.g. training materials, promotional print materials)
• Third-party Service Provider Expenses (e.g. childcare, translation, HR plans, engineering/architectural fees for amenities planning, creative services, advertising costs, training & skills development fees such as for workshops, mentoring or coaching)
• Venue and Facility Rental Fees
• Travel (including local/regional transportation support for employees)

Evaluation Criteria

• Alignment with Program Objectives (project need/rational and impact)
• Sectoral Benefits (contribution to knowledge sharing)
• Risk level (internal capacity to execute, budget and work plan quality)

Contact one of our Grant experts today and get your application started ASAP before program funding is depleted! We’re here to help and answer all of your questions.