Government of Canada invests in agri-food producers and organizations in Northern Ontario

August 12, 2020

Office of Terry Sheehan

Member of Parliament for Sault Ste. Marie

Government of Canada invests in agri-food producers and organizations in Northern Ontario

FedNor announces over $3 million from FedNor to help businesses grow and create jobs across Northern Ontario

For Immediate Release

August 12, 2020 – Sault Ste. Marie, ON – Federal Economic Development Initiative for Northern Ontario – FedNor

Canada’s farmers and agri-food producers have been hit hard by COVID-19. The Government of Canada has taken significant action to help them through this difficult period, and it is committed to giving them the tools they need to be part of our economic recovery and emerge from it stronger and more competitive than before. Innovation is essential to making this a reality, which is why the government is working closely with producers and organizations to help them create jobs and increase production.

Federal support to help agri-food producers and organizations across Northern Ontario create jobs and increase production

Terry Sheehan, Parliamentary Secretary to the Honourable Mélanie Joly, Minister of Economic Development and Official Languages and Minister responsible for FedNor, today announced more than $3 million in federal investments to help Northern Ontario’s agri-food sector innovate, grow and create jobs.

Delivered by FedNor, this funding will support 13 important initiatives in communities across Northern Ontario. It will help farmers and producers boost profits with new, modern equipment and value-added products, while increasing exports and expanding to new markets thanks to recent trade agreements. It will also assist them in becoming more efficient by increasing capacity and field yields, adopting new technologies and improving data collection and analysis. As COVID-19 causes serious disruptions to supply chains, this investment will help businesses mitigate and address these challenges.

This important investment will set Northern Ontario’s agricultural sector on the path to future success. It will open more opportunities for young people to pursue a future in agriculture through the hiring of interns, while giving young farmers across the region access to mentorship and other special assistance. Recognizing the importance of the agricultural sector across society, it will improve access to capital for producers that create social and environmental benefits. Finally, it will support research to better understand which plants can thrive in the challenging climate of Northern Ontario.

Today’s announcement is further proof of the Government of Canada’s commitment to Canadian farmers and agri-food businesses – helping them to not just survive, but thrive. Initiatives like these will help get Canadians back to work and ensure that our agricultural sector can play a major role in Canada’s economic recovery.

Quotes

“The wellbeing all Canadians – physically, socially and economically – begins with a safe food supply. Northern Ontario’s farmers and agri-food businesses are essential to this, and we’re here for them. These important measures will help them scale-up and support good jobs by improving productivity, increasing yields and ensuring the security of the safe, nutritious food supply we all rely on.”

The Honourable Mélanie Joly, Minister of Economic Development and Official Languages and Minister responsible for FedNor

“Today’s announcement will help agri-food producers innovate, expand, and create value-added projects for market. I am proud that FedNor investments are helping to secure a reliable food supply chain here in Northern Ontario, supporting good local jobs across our region.”

Terry Sheehan, Member of Parliament for Sault Ste. Marie and Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Economic Development and Official Languages and Minister responsible for FedNor

“I am excited that the Government of Canada and FedNor, through this strategic investment, are demonstrating their commitment to Northern food and farm enterprises by helping provide equitable and accessible capital that will enable them to grow.”

Sally Miller, Project Manager, Fair Finance Fund

“I would like to thank the Government of Canada and FedNor for their support for our grain handling and storage facility. This investment in infrastructure will not only support the expansion of the region’s agricultural sector and improve the supply chain impacted by COVID-19, it will address an identified regional need.”

Denis Clement, Mayor of the Town of Cochrane.

Quick Facts

The funding announced today is provided through FedNor’s programs, which support projects that promote sustainable community economic development, enhance business development and growth, and facilitate innovation.

FedNor is contributing more than $3 million to support 13 initiatives led by agri-food businesses and organizations that focus on innovation, clean-tech adoption, productivity enhancement and environmental sustainability in Northern Ontario.

Related Products

Backgrounder: FedNor investments support jobs, growth and agri-food opportunities across Northern Ontario

Associated Links

Government of Canada COVID-19 Resources for Agriculture and the Agri-food Industry

Canada’s COVID-19 Economic Response Plan

Regional Relief and Recovery Fund (RRRF)

Coronavirus disease (COVID-19)

To find out more about our programs and services, please visit: fednor.gc.ca

Follow Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada on Twitter: @ISED_CA

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Contacts

Jennifer MacNab