TORONTO – The Governments of Canada and Ontario are investing up to $10 million to enhance the capacity processing capabilities in the province’s meat processing plants and abattoirs.
“Ontario’s meat processing industry meets the highest standards for producing high-quality food and is constantly striving to innovate,” said federal minister of agriculture and agri-food Honourable Marie-Claude Bibeau.
“This investment will help the industry continue to grow through new productivity-improving technologies.”
The Meat Processors Capacity Improvement Initiative (MPCII) 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 MPCII is funded through the Sustainable Canadian Agricultural Partnership (Sustainable CAP) and will provide up to $150,000 per eligible applicant.
Minister of agriculture, food, and rural affairs Lisa Thompson said “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.
“Not only will this initiative have a positive impact for Ontario meat processors, but we’re also increasing competitiveness in a global market.”
The action builds on previous investments of over $14 million in the MPCII since 2020.
The MPCII will also cover consulting and engineering costs associated with planning future projects.
Applications are open from Aug. 31 until Jan. 31, or until the initiative is fully subscribed, whichever comes first.
Eligible project costs can be incurred as of Aug. 31, 2023.
Eligible projects must be completed with equipment delivered by Mar. 1.
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 competitiveness, innovation and resiliency of the agriculture, agri-food, and agri-based products sector.
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.
There are approximately 480 provincially licensed and 239 federally licensed abattoirs and free-standing meat plants in Ontario.
Sustainable CAP will help enable the goals outlined in Ontario’s Grow Ontario Strategy, which include increasing the production of food by 30 per cent by 2032 and growing agri-food exports by eight per cent, annually.
