The provincial and federal governments are partnering to grow Ontario’s food and beverage processing sector by supporting local businesses to increase productivity, meet consumer demand and create jobs.
Guelph MPP Liz Sandals made the announcement at Royal City Brewing Co. in Guelph on Feb. 23, along with Guelph MP Lloyd Longfield on behalf of Federal Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food Lawrence MacAulay.
With support provided through Growing Forward 2 (GF2), a federal-provincial-territorial initiative, the brewery purchased upgraded packaging equipment to help increase labour efficiency and expand to new markets, leveraging innovation to grow their business and the local economy.
“By investing in businesses such as Royal City Brewing Co. we are helping boost the competetitiveness of Ontario’s food and beverage processing sector,” said Ontario Minister of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs Jeff Leal in a release.
“For the last five years, Growing Forward 2 has been integral in strengthening Ontario’s agri-food sector and I look forward to building on its success through the Canadian Agricultural Partnership.”
Over $825,000 has been given to 18 projects across Wellington, Huron, Bruce and Grey County, including three local businesses:
– Rootham’s Gourmet Preserves Ltd., of Puslinch, received $57,869 to purchase and install an automated packaging line to improve labour productivity and efficiency to facilitate further market expansions;
– Dixon’s Distilled Spirits, owned by three Centre Wellington residents, will receive up to $4,250 for consulting services to complete a feasibility study; and
– Erin’s Bold Canine Inc. received $75,000 to purchase and install automated tunnel freezing equipment to help support the development of new products and expand domestic and global markets.
“Food and beverage businesses form the largest employer of all manufacturing industries in Canada, accounting for one out of every eight jobs. Investing in the growth and innovation of these Ontario companies will contribute to our government’s goal of increasing Canada’s agri-food exports to $75-billion by 2025 and supporting the creation of good middle class jobs,” said Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada Lawrence MacAulay in a release.
The provincial and federal governments are investing almost $18 million towards more than 300 projects across the province as part of this announcement.
GF2 was launched in 2013 and is a five-year commitment by Canada’s federal, provincial and territorial governments to support Canada’s agri-food and agri-based products sector, committing more than $50 million in cost- shared funding assistance to eligible food and beverage processors towards more than 950 GF2 projects. The Canadian Agricultural Partnership will follow Growing Forward 2, launching on April 1.
