If your food business wants to sell kosher or halal red meat, certification is required. You may need to buy special equipment, change your facility, and pass audits. The AgriAssurance Program (Kosher & Halal Investment Component) helps Canadian for-profit businesses cover some of these upfront costs with non-repayable federal funding.
This guide explains who can apply, what costs are covered, and how to submit a strong application.
The AgriAssurance Program – Kosher and Halal Investment Component (For Profit) is a federal grant managed by Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada (AAFC). It helps Canadian businesses get their first kosher or halal certification for red meat products, focusing on beef and veal.
This program supports projects that:
Funding is non-repayable. If you follow the program rules, you do not have to pay the money back.
Your business must meet all these requirements to apply:
Projects for poultry, processed foods, or plant-based products are not covered by this program.
You can only claim costs that are directly related to getting kosher or halal certification. Common eligible expenses include:
Costs must be reasonable, necessary, and spent during the approved project period.
If you are unsure whether your expenses qualify, tools like GrantHub’s eligibility matcher can help you check before you apply.
AAFC does not set one grant amount for everyone. The amount you get depends on:
Funding is a non-repayable contribution. You may be able to combine it with other government funding, but the total must stay within program rules.
For more on stacking funding, see: How to stack grants and loans without violating funding rules
Here’s how to prepare and apply for the AgriAssurance Kosher & Halal Investment Component:
Make sure your project is for first-time kosher or halal certification and is focused on beef or veal. Other projects will not qualify.
Write down:
List all eligible expenses. AAFC wants to see clear links between your costs and the certification requirements.
Send your application directly to Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada using the instructions on their official website.
AAFC will check if you qualify, review your project, and see if funds are available before making a decision.
Applying for certification renewals
Only first-time kosher or halal certification projects are allowed.
Including ineligible products
Projects for poultry or non-red meat products do not qualify.
Vague budgets or unrelated expenses
Budgets must be clear and directly tied to certification.
Not following funding stacking rules
Getting too much government funding can reduce or cancel your grant.
Q: Is the AgriAssurance Kosher & Halal Investment Component repayable?
No. If you follow the program rules, you do not have to pay back the funding.
Q: Can I apply if I already have kosher or halal certification?
No. This program is only for your first certification, not renewals or expansions.
Q: Can I combine this funding with provincial grants?
Yes, sometimes. But the total government funding must stay within the program’s limits.
Q: Are certification costs tax deductible?
In general, certification costs are often treated as business expenses for tax purposes, but you should check with a tax professional for advice specific to your situation. This is general information, not a rule of the AgriAssurance Program.
Q: Does AAFC fund ongoing operational costs?
No. Only costs for getting your first certification are eligible.
Visit GrantHub to discover more funding options for your business. GrantHub tracks hundreds of active grant programs across Canada. You can see which ones fit your business profile.
The AgriAssurance Program (Kosher & Halal Investment Component) can help reduce some of the biggest costs of entering certified red meat markets. Make sure your project leads straight to first-time certification and helps your business keep meeting certification standards.
If you want to learn more about related funding, see:
Knowing your funding options early can make your application stronger and faster.
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