Governments Investing to Increase Workforce Diversity in Agriculture

Toronto, Ontario – Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada

The governments of Canada and Ontario are investing up to $1.5 million in the new Agricultural Workforce Equity and Diversity Initiative (AWEDI) to help minority groups start and build businesses in the agri-food sector.

Funded through the Sustainable Canadian Agricultural Partnership (Sustainable CAP), AWEDI provides grants of up to $100,000 to support business ventures led by primary agricultural producers and food processors who are Indigenous peoples, visible minorities, 2SLGBTQI+ people, persons with disabilities, youth, women or members of French linguistic minority communities.

AWEDI is open to applications from organizations, research bodies, municipalities or Indigenous communities. Successful projects will support underrepresented groups in accessing spaces and equipment to grow or process agri-food products, as well as resources to help with financing.

Applications open on October 8, 2024, and will remain open until December 3, 2024.

The Sustainable CAP is a 5-year, $3.5-billion investment by federal, provincial and territorial governments to strengthen competitiveness, innovation, and resiliency of Canada's 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% federally and 40% provincially/territorially for programs that are designed and delivered by provinces and territories.