Overview

The Ontario Automotive Modernization Program (O-AMP) is a partnership with small- and medium- sized automotive parts suppliers in Ontario.

The goal is to help modernize Ontario’s automotive supply chain to make it more competitive and responsive to the changing needs of its customers.

Support

Your business could get up to $150,000 to help cover up to 50% of eligible project costs.

As a successful applicant, you are required to contribute at least 50% of remaining project costs through:

  • internal business resources
  • private or bank financing

For more information, please see the eligible cost guidelines and the O-AMP program guide.

Eligibility

To be eligible for O-AMP, you must be a small- or medium- sized Ontario-based business in the automotive supply chain to Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs) of passenger and commercial vehicles. Aftermarket parts industry is not eligible.

Specifically, you must meet these requirements:

  • be a for-profit business (with a business number)
  • have less than 500 employees in Ontario
  • have less than $1 billion in global revenues
  • have a minimum of two (2) consecutive years of financial statements (auditor or accountant reviewed).
  • have at least 50% of the company’s total sales revenue from the auto supply sector
  • must have a manufacturing location in Ontario by the time your project starts

Eligible projects

O-AMP provides support to projects that fall under one or more of the following categories:

  • technology adoption for process efficiency – implementing advanced manufacturing hardware, software and/or training to improve processes and competitiveness e.g.07, Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) systems, production tracking systems and advanced hardware implementation.
  • tools and technologies to support new product development - adoption of  technologies to assist with the engineering and design of new products such as Computer-Aided Design & Computer-Aided Manufacturing (CAD/CAM) systems, Finite Element Analysis (FEA) software, Design for Manufacturing (DFM) tools, rapid-prototyping tools or other tools to support the New Product Introduction (NPI) process
  • lean manufacturing – improving operational efficiency and competitiveness by adopting lean manufacturing techniques and hiring the services of a mentor/consultant to help with lean implementation

Projects must also:

  • be achievable – applicants need to have the necessary financing, project management structure and experience to implement the project
  • align with O-AMP’s goals – job creation, revenue increases, cost savings, contributions to regional or automotive sector development

See the O-AMP program guide for details.

How to apply

Before you apply, you may wish to contact the Automotive Parts Manufacturers’ Association at o-amp@apma.ca for help to develop and strengthen your application.

You may also seek assistance from the Ministry’s Senior Business Advisors to develop and strengthen your application. Contact information can be found below:

Business Advisory Services - Southwestern Region Main Office

Business Advisory Services - Central Region Main Office

Business Advisory Services – Eastern Region Main Office

Once ready to apply, follow these steps:

  1. Read the O-AMP Applicant Guide
    • please note stacking with other provincial programs is not permitted. Funding from any federal sources and O-AMP combined must not exceed 50% of the total project cost
    • if a company has a previous O-AMP project, the project must have been successfully completed by the intake deadline before the company is eligible to re-apply (see intake deadline further below)
  2. To apply to and participate in O-AMP, you must first register with Transfer Payment Ontario (TPON) to create your ONe-key account and ID.
  3. Gather the required documents:
    • a copy of your Articles of Incorporation
    • financial statements for the last two fiscal years (auditor or accountant reviewed)
    • Ontario Tax Compliance Certificate
    • quotes from contractors/vendors for budget items
    • letter of attestation from the signing authority of the company (CEO, CFO, etc.) indicating that the company has the financial resources in place to complete the project
    • project team member resumes
  4. Submit your application with the required documents through Transfer Payment Ontario.

Document formats

Submit all program application documents in PDF format.

Working with an external firm

Applications may only be submitted by the company that is implementing the project and will be directly receiving support.

You may use a consultant or an external firm to prepare your application; however, it will have no effect on whether you are successful. Note: money spent on a consultant or firm to help you prepare an application is not eligible to be covered by the program.

After you apply

We will assess and make a decision regarding your application within 60 business days of the application deadline.

If your project has been approved

You will be required to enter into a funding agreement with the Ministry of Economic Development, Job Creation and Trade.

You will also be required to meet certain conditions, including providing:

  • evidence of project financing
  • proof of insurance
  • Ontario tax compliance verification (TCV) certificate

Review process

Applications are evaluated on their overall merits and reviewed against targeted results within the scope of O-AMP's objectives.

The review committee may request presentations and site visits from an applicant to help evaluate your project proposal.

Note: O-AMP is a discretionary, non-entitlement program with limited funding. Even if your application meets all program objectives and eligibility criteria, you may not receive approval based on the number and strength of other applications.

Contact us

For general inquiries and questions, please contact the O-AMP team at o-amp@ontario.ca.