TORONTO — The governments of Canada and Ontario are investing up to $8 million through the Sustainable Canadian Agricultural Partnership (Sustainable CAP) to create or increase processing efficiencies and enhance food safety in the province’s dairy processing sector.
“Ontario’s dairy processors work tirelessly to ensure their products meet the highest standards for quality and safety,” said the Honourable Lawrence MacAulay, federal Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food.
“Through this $8 million shared investment under Sustainable CAP, processors will be able to access the technology they need to continue to grow and improve their efficiency.”
Eligible dairy businesses are invited to apply for funding through the Dairy Processing Modernization Initiative to acquire modern technologies that increase production efficiency and ensure food safety in their facilities.
Cost-share support can be used to help cover the purchase and installation of new or refurbished equipment and its associated costs, such as training.
This investment supports the objectives of the government’s Grow Ontario Strategy: to increase the production of food by 30 per cent by 2032 and grow agri-food exports by eight per cent annually.
“Efficiencies realized through new technologies will play a key role in helping the sector continue to thrive,” said Lisa Thompson, Ontario’s Minister of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs.
The initiative is open to cow, goat, sheep and water buffalo milk processors. Each eligible applicant can receive up to $200,000 in cost-share support.
Applications open on April 2, 2024, and will remain open until the initiative is fully subscribed. Eligible project costs can be incurred as of April 2, 2024.
The Sustainable CAP is a five-year (2023-2028), $3.5-billion investment by federal, provincial and territorial governments to strengthen competitiveness, innovation, and resiliency of the agriculture, agri-food and agri-based products sector.
This includes $1 billion in federal programs and activities and a $2.5 billion commitment that is cost-shared 60 per cent federally and 40 per cent provincially/territorially for programs that are designed and delivered by the provinces and territories.
There are 171 licensed cow and goat dairy processors, plus additional sheep and buffalo dairy processors in the province, officials state.
For more information or to apply, visit ontario.ca.
