The Ontario and federal governments are driving growth in the meat processing sector

To drive growth in the provincial meat processing sector, a $10 million investment is being made.

By Andrew Joseph, Farms.com; Photo Credit: industryview/iStock/Getty Images Plus photo

The Governments of Canada and Ontario are investing up to $10 million under the Sustainable Canadian Agricultural Partnership (Sustainable CAP) to enhance the capacity processing capabilities in the province’s meat processing plants and abattoirs through the Meat Processors Capacity Improvement Initiative.

"Ontario's meat processing industry meets the highest standards for producing high-quality food and is constantly striving to innovate," said the Honourable Marie-Claude Bibeau, federal Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food. "This investment will help the industry continue to grow through new productivity-improving technologies."

Bibeau, as of July 26, 2023, is no longer the federal Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food. She is now the Minister of National Revenue. The new federal Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food is Lawrence MacAulay, the PEI MP for Cardigan since 1988.

MacAulay was previously the Agriculture Minister from November 2015 to March 2019, leaving at that time after another cabinet shuffle to join the Ministry of Veteran Affairs and Associate Minister of National Defence.

The Meat Processors Capacity Improvement Initiative will provide funding to eligible free-standing meat plants and abattoirs to make short-term investments in meat handling and processing equipment, technologies, and practices that improve efficiency, productivity, and food safety. The initiative is being funded through Sustainable CAP and will provide up to $150,000 per eligible applicant.

"This program is a prime example of how our government is making the right investments in the right places that have helped Ontario’s meat processing businesses," said Lisa Thompson, the Ontario Minister of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs. "Not only will this initiative have a positive impact for Ontario meat processors, but we’re also increasing competitiveness in a global market."

he action builds on previous investments of over $14 million in the Meat Processors Capacity Improvement Initiative funded through the Canadian Agricultural Partnership (CAP) since 2020.

The Meat Processors Capacity Improvement Initiative will also cover consulting and engineering costs associated with planning future projects.

Applications open on August 31, 2023, and will remain open until January 31, 2024, or until the initiative is fully subscribed, whichever comes first.

Eligible project costs can be incurred as of July 26, 2023, and completed with equipment delivered by March 1, 2024. Recipients will have until June 28, 2024, to have their equipment installed.

The Sustainable CAP is a five-year (2023-2028) $3.5 billion investment by federal, provincial, and territorial governments to strengthen the competitiveness, innovation, and resiliency of the agriculture, agri-food, and agri-based products sectors. This includes $1 billion in federal programs and activities and $2.5 billion in cost-shared programs that are designed and delivered by federal, provincial, and territorial governments.