Lead Department: Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada
Start Date of the Horizontal Initiative: 2003-04 fiscal year
End Date of the Horizontal Initiative: 2007-08 fiscal year
Total Federal Funding Allocation: $42.5297 million over five years

Description

A key objective of the Agricultural Policy Framework (APF) International component is to secure and sustain an enduring competitive advantage over other countries by strengthening Canada's market development capacity and gaining recognition for Canada's world-leading capabilities to meet the quality demands of highly-segmented and increasingly competitive global markets.

This MOU establishes the operational principles, management practices and performance measurement criteria for the 32 agriculture and agri-food specialist positions abroad. The objective is to enhance the delivery of services to Canadian exporters in areas such as agriculture and agri-food business development, investment promotion, market access and advocacy, through Canadian Embassies and High Commissions located in key export markets.

Shared Outcome(s)

1. Improved capacity within DFAIT's (now International Trade Canada or ITCan) Trade Commissioner Service (TCS) to deliver in-market support to Canadian exporters;
2. Increased recognition in targeted markets of Canada's ability to supply high quality, safe and innovative agriculture and food products produced in an environmentally responsible manner;
3. Improved market access in key markets for Canadian agriculture and food products.

Governance Structures

The MOU Governance Model includes three levels:

1. the Joint Management Committee (JMC) which approves costed work plans with milestones, targets and indicators; reviews expenditures; and reports semi-annually on results to the Deputy Ministers' Committee;
2. the Deputy Ministers' Committee which reviews and recommends the annual release of funds that are held in frozen allotment by Treasury Board Secretariat (TBS), and recommends the Ministers' approval of changes, where objectives of this MOU change materially; and
3. Ministers who approve changes where objectives of this MOU change materially and who constitute the last resort for dispute resolution.

A TBS official sits as an ex-officio member on the JMC.

This MOU Governance Structure is supported by the International Markets Coordination unit at AAFC, which operates under the guidance of the relevant Directors General of AAFC and ITCan and the Senior Director at TBS and consults with appropriate AAFC and ITCan officials from the geographic, trade policy, investment, performance measurement, and human resources teams.

Partners

• Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada (AAFC)
• International Trade Canada

Contact

Eileen Durand, Manager
International Markets Coordination
International Markets Bureau
(613) 759-6531