The governments of Canada and Ontario are committing up to $7 million to rapidly increase processing capacity in meat processing plants across the province.

"The livestock processing supply chain is dedicated to innovating and improving their capacity to produce safe, high-quality food. These investments will further position the sector to compete at home and in global markets through new productivity-boosting technologies."

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

“Ontario livestock processors have worked tirelessly since the COVID-19 pandemic began to ensure Ontarians had access to fresh, local, and high-quality meat products for their families,” said Lisa Thompson, Ontario Minister of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs. “While the sector continues to face extraordinary processing capacity challenges, our government is stepping up with this important investment to help Ontario meat processors and abattoirs continue producing the safe and healthy food millions of Ontarians rely on each and every day.”

- The Honourable Lisa Thompson, Ontario Minister of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs

“The pandemic has highlighted some of the vulnerabilities in our sector, including the need to increase processing capacity. This funding demonstrates our governments’ commitment to providing solutions that will help move the industry forward. We thank the federal and provincial governments for their continued partnership and this crucial funding that will help our sector invest in solutions that will benefit both processors and consumers.”

- Carol Goriup, President, Meat & Poultry Ontario

“The lack of sufficient processing capacity in Ontario has been a limiting factor to a healthy competitive market for the province’s beef sector. The first intake of the Meat Processor Capacity Improvement Initiative was fully subscribed, which speaks to its critical value to the livestock processing sector. We are grateful for the continued investment by both levels of government to support this initiative, which in turn, will help position our sector to better meet the demands for Ontario beef at home and abroad.”

- Rob Lipsett, President, Beef Farmers of Ontario

“Ontario Pork welcomes government support to strengthen processing capacity in the province. Lessons from the COVID-19 pandemic confirmed that the lack of processing is a bottleneck for our industry and for local food supply. We appreciate today’s announcement as another step in facilitating the growth of processing capacity here in Ontario.”

- John de Bruyn, Chair, Ontario Pork

• The Partnership is a five-year, $3-billion commitment by Canada's federal, provincial and territorial governments that supports Canada's agri-food and agri-products sectors. This includes a $2 billion commitment that is cost-shared 60 per cent federally and 40 per cent provincially/territorially for programs that are designed and delivered by provinces and territories.

• There are 480 provincially licensed and 230 federally licensed facilities (abattoirs and free-standing meat plants) in Ontario. The Ontario agri-food sector supports more than 720,000 jobs in Ontario and contributes nearly $47 billion each year to the province’s economy.

• The Meat Processor Capacity Improvement Initiative will be delivered by the Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs (OMAFRA).

Associated links

• The Canadian Agricultural Partnership in Ontario
• Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada
• Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs

Oliver Anderson
Office of the Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food
Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada
oliver.anderson@agr.gc.ca
613-462-4327

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Jack Sullivan
Office of the Minister of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs
Jack.Sullivan@ontario.ca

Christa Roettele, Communications Branch
OMAFRA.media@ontario.ca
519-826-3145