
Government grants are incentives designed to encourage and support certain kinds of business and organizational activities, from hiring to export to research and product development. As government-funded programs, grant programs are subject to changing political and economic conditions.
Elections can significantly reshape the grant funding landscape. It is important to note that funding programs that have already received budgetary approval will continue to operate normally. Applications will continue to be accepted and processed through normal evaluation and approval channels, and large requests that require ministerial approval will continue to be processed as cabinet remains active. This applies to both provincially- and federally-funded grant programs. Froese Law encourages clients who may be interested in grant programs to reach out as soon as possible to ensure their applications are submitted before the election writ is dropped.
How Grants Are Impacted Once an Election is Called
Once the election writ is dropped, there will be a pause on all decisions pertaining to grant funding programs. In Ontario, which recently announced a snap election, this means that all provincially-funded grant programs are currently on hold until after the election is held on February 27, 2025. If you have submitted a request for grant funding from the provincial government, please expect delays. Applicants may continue to submit requests for funding, but decisions will only be made once the new government has formed.
At the federal level, the election writ has not been dropped. Instead, parliament has been prorogued until March 24, 2025. Prorogation does not impact the intake and processing of existing grant funding programs; if you plan to apply for federal grant funding, Froese Law recommends submitting your application as soon as possible.
Once parliament reconvenes in late March, an election may be called soon afterwards. During the election period, applicants may continue to submit requests for funding but all evaluation and review will be on hold until after the election. Post-election cabinet changes may further delay application processing. Froese Law advises clients to be patient and take into account these delays when preparing their applications and setting out project timelines.
Grants are still available
Despite the Ontario and upcoming federal election, there are still grants available for businesses, not-for-profits, and charitable organizations. Froese Law encourages clients to consider non-federal and non-provincial funding when planning their grant funding pipeline in 2025 such as private corporate funding, foundations, and funding administered by third-party organizations.
If you have questions about how the provincial and federal elections will impact your grant funding strategy in 2025, please contact Froese Law and schedule a free 15-minute consultation to learn more.
Questions? Reach out!
Ashlee Froese, Founder, Froese Law: ashlee@froeselaw.com
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