CanExport GAC-Led Delegations

2. Grant payments are provided in full per fiscal year and after signing the funding agreement. No claims are required to receive the funds. Recipients are required to report on results achieved.

We enforce the maximum funding limit when an applicant receives funding from various Canadian government sources for identical project activities. Total financial assistance from Canadian federal, provincial, territorial, municipal governments or Crown corporations must not exceed 75% of the costs of your project.

Companies can receive a maximum of $99,999 in CanExport GAC-Led Delegations funding per government fiscal year. This includes funding from projects under the other CanExport sub-programs.

Only certain types of business expenses may be supported by CanExport GAC-Led Delegations funding. These eligible expenses are described below and fall within the two categories listed.

For an expense to be valid:

1. the expense must be directly linked to participation in eligible missions or delegations for the purpose of developing export opportunities
2. the project activity and the related expense must take place within the project start and completion dates specified in a company's funding agreement
3. the project activity must fall within an approved category listed in a company's funding agreement and must be directly linked to one or more approved target markets

In all cases:

1. payments must be made using a corporate or business bank account or credit card; if personal credit cards are used for travelling expenses, the company must reimburse the employee using a corporate or business bank account
2. refundable GST, taxes, duties, and other items must be removed from the cost of the eligible expense
3. tips and items paid with reward points must be removed from the cost of the eligible expense

Category A: Travel for participation in an eligible delegation or mission

The CanExport GAC-Led Delegations program may support international travel expenses for attending trade events to meet with key contacts from target market(s) and/or conduct market visits.

We assess the international travel expenses by:

1. Travel duration. We evaluate travel duration based on trade event dates.

• Applicants must specify the travel dates, travelers, and planned activities for each trip. Per diem consists of a total daily allowance of $600 to cover accommodation, meals, and incidentals for each eligible traveler participating in a trade event.
• Travel is payable only as part of a roundtrip from Canada and can include travel between a project's target market(s) and/or destination(s).

2. Number of participants. Travel expenses may be claimed for up to 2 travelers per trip. To be eligible, travelers must be legally employed in Canada and on your payroll.

Funding is determined based on the estimated costs provided in the application. Applicants should provide reasonable cost estimates. High-cost estimates must be justified thoroughly and may affect the approval of the application. Receipts for expenses (e.g. accommodation, air travel) should be retained for 5 years for audit purposes.

Travel-specific definitions

Airfare is a refundable roundtrip in economy or premium economy, departing from Canada to the approved destination, directly or with a layover. It must be booked and paid for after the project begins and completed before the project ends. Reward program points are not allowed. Airfare from countries other than Canada may be considered if costs are lower.

Higher class fares are typically not allowed but may be approved if lower than the cost of economy or premium economy on a direct flight.

Ground transportation relates to the use of a ride-share service, taxi, or public transportation in the approved destination country. It also includes vehicle rentals and associated costs for gas, parking, and tolls, during the stay in the approved destination. Vehicle rentals must be made via a reputable vehicle rental company and at reasonable costs.

Per diem consists of a total daily allowance of $600 to cover accommodation, meals, and incidentals for each eligible traveler participating in a trade event. Eligible per diem includes the day before the trade event begins through the day after trade event ends. The program will not fund additional days, even if they relate to business in the target market.

A mandatory visa fee is the cost to obtain a visa required for travel to an approved target market or destination.

Eligible expenses include:

1. airfare
2. seat selection for a flight to an approved target market or destination
3. baggage fees for checked luggage or excess baggage
4. ground transportation in the approved destination
5. travel to and from the traveler's home or office to the airport
6. airport parking
7. per diems
8. costs related to obtaining an electronic travel authority
9. mandatory visa fee

Note

: If you plan to purchase a travel package that includes any combination of airfare, accommodation, meals, or rental vehicles you must provide an invoice with a breakdown of each component in your application.

Category B: Participation in trade events (non-travel related expenses)

CanExport GAC-Led Delegations may support non-travel related expenses associated with participation in eligible trade events listed in Section 1 of this guide.

Funding is limited to Canada-based employees who are legally employed and on the company payroll.

Eligible costs include:

1. Event attendance by a maximum of 2 eligible travelers per event. The trade event must be named and have confirmed dates.
2. Participating as an exhibitor at a trade event including:

• registration for space or a booth
• on-site booth design, assembly, and installation
• booth rental
• utilities like electricity and internet access
• rental of business card scanners or audiovisual equipment
• liability insurance
• when membership or sponsorship is required for participation in an event, eligible expenses apply only to the lowest applicable tier or class (additional documentation is required)

3. Shipping and handling costs for international shipping and transportation of items associated with event participation such as printed information materials, booth pop-ups, and products or prototypes, including return to Canada. Prototypes must be returned to Canada to be eligible for funding (costs for shipping prototypes that are not returned to Canada will not be reimbursed). For companies in the agri-food sector this includes the shipping of food samples.