Summary
Today, Minister Hardeman announced that, the governments of Canada and Ontario are committing up to $11.5 million through the Canadian Agricultural Partnership (CAP) towards two important new programs to assist meat processors on projects to rapidly boost their safety and productivity, and help farmers adjust to current market challenges.
The Meat Processors Capacity Improvement Initiative is a $4 million, rapid response program that will provide up to $150,000 per project for improvements to product handling and processing equipment and will open to applications on December 4, 2020. This initiative is the part of a longer term strategy to build greater capacity in the meat processing sector.
Canada and Ontario are also providing up to $7.5 million for a new application intake under CAP to support farmers in making enhancements to their operations, which will open on December 9, 2020.
Key Messages
- The governments of Canada and Ontario are committing up to $11.5 million through the Canadian Agricultural Partnership (the Partnership) for two important new programs, one of which will assist meat processors on projects to rapidly boost their productivity, and one that will help farmers adjust to current market challenges.
- The Meat Processors Capacity Improvement Initiative will provide up to $150,000 per project for improvements to product handling and processing equipment and will open to applications on December 4, 2020.
- Farmers can receive support for a variety of investments that help them make timely enhancements to their operations. Examples of projects that can be funded through this programming include developing a product that will open new sales markets for a farm business, investing in new technology and equipment to enhance labour productivity, and improving food safety systems to meet or exceed international certification standards.
- This new intake will open to applications on December 9, 2020.
- Our government remains committed to supporting the agriculture and agri-food sector during this unprecedented time.