Details on transfer payment programs: 2024 to 2025
Transfer payment program or funding agreement: Accessibility Standards Canada (CASDO) Grants and contributions program, Advancing Accessibility Standards Research
Start date: 2019 to 2020
End date: Ongoing
Type of transfer payment: Grants and contributions
Type of appropriation: Each year through Main Estimates
Fiscal year for terms and conditions: 2018 to 2019
Link to departmental result(s): Core Responsibility: Accessibility Standards
Link to the department’s program inventory: Standards Development
Purpose and objectives of transfer payment program:
Accessibility Standards Canada’s Grants and contributions program, Advancing Accessibility Standards Research, provides funding for research projects.
The goals of the program are to:
- support research projects to identify, remove and prevent barriers to accessibility
- help inform accessibility standards in the future
The program allows Accessibility Standards Canada to work with different partners across Canada to advance accessibility standards research. Each year, the organization identifies the priority areas for this research.
This program uses funding from these transfer payments:
- grants under the Advancing Accessibility Standards Research Program
- contributions under the Advancing Accessibility Standards Research Program
Results achieved:
In the 2024 to 2025 fiscal year, following an open call for research projects proposals launched in the previous fiscal year, the program funded 14 projects. These multi-year research projects started in the 2024 to 2025 fiscal year. These projects are currently being delivered by the funded organizations. Research reports resulting from the funded projects will be made publicly available once the projects are completed.
The funded projects were selected through a 2-step application process designed to reduce the burden on applicants.
Step 1: Organizations from across Canada were invited to submit an Expression of interest (EOI), which included:
- a short project description
- an explanation of how the project aligns with the program’s objectives
- the total funding requested
The EOIs were assessed, and those that best aligned with the program’s purpose and objectives were invited to go to Step 2.
Step 2: Selected organizations submitted a full application package which included:
- a detailed proposal
- a detailed budget
- supporting documentation
Detailed applications were assessed, and the projects that met the assessment criteria were approved for funding. The organizations with approved projects were then invited to sign funding agreements.
Also, during the 2024 to 2025 fiscal year, the program received research reports from previously funded projects that were completed. Funding recipients are required to publish their research reports online, free of charge. Accessibility Standards Canada’s Centre of Expertise was updated to indicate the completion of these projects, and to inform the public that they can request copies of the research reports.
In addition, the program launched a new call for proposals to fund research projects starting in the following fiscal year 2025 to 2026. The program is continuing its commitment to advance knowledge that supports the development of accessible standards.
Findings of audits completed in 2024 to 2025:
Not applicable, new program.
Findings of evaluations completed in 2024 to 2025:
Not applicable, new program.
Engagement of applicants and recipients in 2024 to 2025:
The program’s ongoing activities include:
- adding program information and call for proposals on the Website
- helping applicants by phone and email
As part of the launch for calls for proposals, the program works with the Communications team to implement a dissemination strategy. This includes:
- sending an invitation email to those who may be interested in applying to submit a funding application to the program
- sending notifications via Accessibility Standards Canada’s newsletter and social media sites, including Facebook and LinkedIn
Accessibility Standards Canada also:
- worked with program interested parties throughout the year by attending related conferences and organizing meetings
- met with interested parties to help with setting program priorities
Financial information (dollars)
Table 1: Financial information (dollars) on transfer payments (2022 to 2025)
Table 1 below presents a summary of actual, planned, and authorized spending for various types of transfer payments (in dollars) from fiscal years 2022 to 2023 to 2024 to 2025.
Type of transfer payment | 2022 to 2023 actual spending | 2023 to 2024 actual spending | 2024 to 2025 planned spending | 2024 to 2025 total authorities available for use | 2024 to 2025 actual spending (authorities used) | Variance (2024 to 2025 actual minus 2024 to 2025 planned) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Total grants | 1,333,495 | 726,546 | 4,250,000 | 4,250,000 | 373,511 | (3,876,489) |
Total contributions | 7,164,680 | 7,776,454 | 4,250,000 | 4,250,000 | 8,125,000 | 3,875,000 |
Total other transfer payments | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Total program | 8,498,175 | 8,498,175 | 8,500,000 | 8,500,000 | 8,498,511 | (1,489) |
Explanation of variances
Accessibility Standards Canada has a grants and contributions budget of $8.5 million. Up to 50% of this budget can be spent on grants. To maintain flexibility, we forecast the maximum amount of grants for the fiscal year. In the current fiscal year, most of the signed agreements were contributions.