MP Badawey and MP Bittle Celebrate the Collaborative Greenhouse Technology Centre Opening in Niagara

News Release

June 3, 2016 – Vineland Station, Ontario – Federal Economic Development Agency for Southern Ontario (FedDev Ontario)

Today, Vance Badawey, Member of Parliament for Niagara Centre, along with Chris Bittle, Member of Parliament for St. Catharines, attended the grand opening of the Vineland Research and Innovation Centre's new Collaborative Greenhouse Technology Centre, on behalf of the Honourable Navdeep Bains, Minister of Innovation, Science and Economic Development and Minister responsible for FedDev Ontario. While at the event, MP Badawey and MP Bittle announced a FedDev Ontario investment of up to $5.76 million in the Vineland Research and Innovation Centre to develop and commercialize innovative horticultural and greenhouse technologies.

Canadian agricultural producers are responding to global demand for effective and reliable supplies of food. The funding announced today will help strengthen Canada's position in global food supply. FedDev Ontario funding will support the fit up of the new Collaborative Greenhouse Technology Centre, a state-of-the-art facility, which brings together research institutions, business and academia to research, develop and commercialize new technology solutions in the robotics, automation and greenhouse industries. This will help improve Ontario's competitiveness and increase domestic production of vegetables in the greenhouse sector.

The contribution will also go towards the development of four new innovative greenhouse technologies and will help bring to market an additional three automated systems. Some of the technologies supported through FedDev Ontario's contribution, including a mushroom harvester and wireless irrigation system, were showcased during the event. These innovations will help reduce labour and production costs, while producing safe and healthy foods in a controlled environment.

Please see the backgrounder for more information.

Quotes

"With FedDev Ontario's support, the technologies developed and commercialized by the Vineland Research and Innovation Centre will innovate the ways the greenhouse industry operates, here in Canada and abroad."

– The Honourable Navdeep Bains Minister of Innovation, Science and Economic Development and Minister responsible for the Federal Economic Development Agency for Southern Ontario

"Today is a celebration that southern Ontario, and Niagara Region in particular, is a leader in greenhouse and horticultural sectors' innovation. The grand opening of the Collaborative Greenhouse Technology Centre will attract companies, research, and development partners to Niagara Region while creating new innovative jobs in our community."

– Vance Badawey, Member of Parliament for Niagara Centre

"The Collaborative Greenhouse Technology Centre provides a world-class facility for researchers and industry leaders to come together to find innovative solutions to strengthen both the manufacturing and the greenhouse sectors. This is what creates opportunities for southern Ontario, including building skills and creating high-quality jobs."

– Chris Bittle, Member of Parliament for St. Catharines

"This funding will increase the capacity of Ontario's emerging innovation strength in greenhouse horticulture technologies. The Vineland Research and Innovation Centre's new Collaborative Greenhouse Technology Centre is uniquely positioned at the junction of the greenhouse horticulture and advanced engineering sectors to drive growth and we are thankful for FedDev Ontario's support to meet this challenge."

– Jim Brandle, CEO, Vineland Research and Innovation Centre

Quick Facts

  • FedDev Ontario's non-repayable contribution of up to $5.76 million, towards a total project cost of $13,326,764, is provided through the Investing in Commercialization Partnerships initiative.
  • The Vineland Research and Innovation Centre expects to create 125 full-time equivalent jobs over the course of the project.

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FedDev Ontario
416-954-6652
fdo.mediarel-relmedias.fdo@canada.ca

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