Canadian Agricultural Partnership Program for Ontario Beekeepers

Backgrounder

August 7, 2019 – Innisfil, Ontario - Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada

The Governments of Canada and Ontario announced cost-share funding to support and strengthen the health of the province’s honey bees and beekeeping sector.
 
Through the Canadian Agricultural Partnership (the Partnership), up to $500,000 will be invested to support beekeepers in making improvements to better manage pests such as Varroa mites, diseases and other stressors and to grow their bee-related business.

Funding themes

Funding for equipment or adoption of new practices, including best management practices and integrated pest management, will be provided under the following themes:

  1. Healthy, thriving populations of managed honey bees that in turn support a strong, successful agri-food sector and a healthy environment
  2. Beekeeper knowledge and practices that mitigate pest and disease risks to managed honey bees and the industry
  3. Marketing of honey or niche products or for bee breeding to support local businesses, build business capacity and address pest/disease resistance

Level of funding

The program will provide 50 per cent of the costs for equipment and projects, up to a total of $3,500 per applicant.

Eligibility requirements

To be eligible to access this funding support under the Partnership, beekeepers must have:

  • A valid registration under the Bees Act for the current beekeeping season
  • 10 or more bee colonies

Intake

The application intake will open September 3, 2019.

Quotes

“I grew up being a honey lover and learning the many health benefits honey can provide. Ontario’s pollinators like the ones in Innisfil play an integral role in our local economy,” said Barrie-Innisfil MPP Andrea Khanjin. “Local beekeepers help generate over $1 billion in value towards Ontario’s agriculture crop every year. They support healthy and thriving managed honey bee populations, which in turn support our local businesses.”

“My riding is home to apiaries and producers, as well as the Barrie Farmer’s Market, where honey and bee products are offered from all over Simcoe County,” said Barrie-Springwater-Oro-Medonte MPP Doug Downey. “It’s important to me that we’re providing the right support, where and when it’s needed. We want to help maintain the honey bee sector, and ensure residents in our communities can continue to shop local, with a sustainable supply of honey right here at home.”

“This worthwhile support from the federal and provincial governments will not only allow us to better preserve the health of our bees and protect against disease, but will also expand our honey and beekeeping operations here at Innisfil Creek Honey,” said Brian Scott, founder and owner of Innisfil Creek Honey.

“Hive health is not only important to beekeeping success, but it also impacts the health of neighbouring hives and the industry as a whole,” said Paul Kozak, Provincial Apiarist with the Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs. “It’s important to follow best management practices relevant to Ontario’s unique conditions to ensure healthy and productive managed honey bees.”

Related Product

News release - Supporting Honey Bee Health: Funding helps Ontario beekeepers address stress factors affecting bee health and improve their business­­

Contacts

Justine Lesage
Press Secretary
Office of the Honourable Marie-Claude Bibeau
613-404-1168 (mobile)
justine.lesage@canada.ca

Media Relations
Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada
Ottawa, Ontario
613-773-7972
1-866-345-7972
aafc.mediarelations-relationsmedias.aac@canada.ca
Follow us on Twitter: @AAFC_Canada
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Avi Yufest
Office of Ontario Minister of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs
Avi.Yufest@Ontario.ca
416-326-3067

Bianca Jamieson
Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs
Communications Branch
Bianca.jamieson@ontario.ca
519-400-9580

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