Renewed and expanded funding for food production in the Northwest Territories

News release

March 30, 2023 - Yellowknife, Northwest Territories - Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada

A renewed funding partnership between the Government of Canada and the Government of the Northwest Territories (GNWT) will see an investment of $7.6 million to strengthen the competitiveness, innovation, and resiliency of the agriculture, agri‐food sector in the Northwest Territories (NWT) over the next 5 years.

The Sustainable Canadian Agriculture Partnership (Sustainable CAP) takes effect on April 1. It will provide funding for agriculture and agri-food projects to NWT-based producers, processors, retailers, non-profit organizations, and governments, including Indigenous Governments and Indigenous Organizations.

The new agreement increases government investment in the agriculture and agri-food sector by 25%.

The priorities of Sustainable CAP include market development and trade; building sector capacity and growth; science, research and innovation; resiliency and public trust; and climate change and the environment.

Sustainable CAP will further work to encourage greater diversity and inclusion in the sector and strengthen relationships with Indigenous Peoples.

In the NWT, the GNWT's partnership in Sustainable CAP will enable NWT producers to access 2 key Business Risk Management programs, AgriStability and AgriInvest, designed to provide producers with protection against income and production losses and to help them manage risks that threaten the viability of their operations.

Quotes

"The Sustainable Canadian Agriculture Partnership will provide innovative solutions to help ensure a dependable food supply and a more resilient and sustainable agriculture sector within communities across the Northwest Territories. We look forward to this renewed partnership so that the sector can reach its full potential and continue to contribute to Canada's economic growth and wellbeing."

- The Honourable Marie-Claude Bibeau, Federal Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food

"The GNWT's support for regional agriculture programs is doing more than encouraging local food production. It promotes economic development and diversity. We know that the NWT has the capacity to meet more of its own food needs. We will continue to advance actions and investments to increase the production of fresh, healthy, safe and more affordable locally-grown food choices while bringing new economic opportunities to NWT residents." 

- Caroline Wawzonek, Minister of Industry Tourism and Investment

Quick facts

  • The Sustainable Canadian Agricultural Partnership is a $3.5 billion, 5-year agreement between the federal, provincial and territorial governments.

  • Sustainable CAP is the fifth agreement signed between the Government of Canada and the GNWT since 2003.

  • The Government of Canada will provide 60% ($4,578,750 or $915,750 annually) of the funding, and the GNWT will provide 40% ($3,052,500 or $610,500 annually).

Associated links

Contacts

For media:

Simon Lafortune
Press Secretary
Office of the Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food
simon.lafortune@agr.gc.ca
343-549-0778

Media Relations
Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada
Ottawa, Ontario
1-866-345-7972
aafc.mediarelations-relationsmedias.aac@agr.gc.ca
Follow us on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, and LinkedIn
Web: Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada

Drew Williams
Asst. Director Strategic Communications 
Policy Planning Communications and Analysis
Government of the Northwest Territories
drew_williams@gov.nt.ca
(867) 767-9202 (63037)

Page details

Date modified: