Government of Canada supports agrifood producers and businesses in southern Ontario
News release
Government of Canada supports local agrifood producers and companies to increase production, adopt new green technologies
August 16, 2024 – Guelph, Ontario
Ontario’s agrifood processing sector provides us with fresh and nutritious local food and supports thousands of jobs. From farmers to suppliers to processors, this sector plays an important role in ensuring economic growth, rural development, and thriving domestic industry. The Government of Canada is investing in businesses and organizations to build a stronger, more sustainable future for Canadians.
Today, on behalf of the Honourable Filomena Tassi, Minister responsible for the Federal Economic Development Agency for Southern Ontario, Lloyd Longfield, Member of Parliament for Guelph, announced a Government of Canada investment of nearly $8 million for Bioenterprise Canada, Mapleview Agri Ltd. and Farm Health Guardian Ltd. to support Canadian agrifood producers and businesses.
Bioenterprise Canada, a not-for-profit organization dedicated to building and growing innovative companies focused on agricultural technology, is receiving a nearly $6-million investment. With this support, Bioenterprise will be delivering the Sustainable Growth and Adoption Program to which food and agritech businesses in southern Ontario can apply for funding. This funding will help businesses to accelerate their development, while also supporting businesses and organizations to adopt and integrate new clean technologies, practices, and process enhancements into their operations. With this investment, Bioenterprise Canada expects to support up to 45 businesses contributing to clean growth, and accelerate the commercialization of up to 40 new products, services or processes, resulting in up to $20 million in sales. Visit the Bioenterprise Canada website for details and to apply.
Located in Palmerston, Mapleview Agri Ltd. manufactures and distributes milk replacer products to feed calves, sheep and kid goats. To meet growing global demand, the company is expanding into a new energy-efficient facility that will house an integrated lab space and new, fully automated systems. With a FedDev Ontario investment of $1.5 million, the company will adopt specialized equipment to increase production capacity and enhance automation, quality control and efficiencies.
Farm Health Guardian Ltd. is a digital biosecurity and animal disease prevention software provider. The company has developed a farm biosecurity software system that reduces the risk and spread of animal disease, protecting farmers and food companies. The software is expected to reduce waste and greenhouse gas emissions while ensuring consumer access to a safe and secure food supply. Through an investment of $350,000, the company will be able to support the commercialization of its software system in Canada.
The agrifood sector is a critical part of southern Ontario’s industry and economy. The Government of Canada is committed to working with local partners to strengthen and support agrifood producers in southern Ontario, promoting regional growth, economic development, and the adoption of sustainable technology.
Quotes
“Cultivating a thriving, green agrifood sector in southern Ontario is nurturing innovation, supporting local economies and ensuring global competitiveness. These investments demonstrate the Government of Canada’s commitment to supporting the success and sustainability of our agrifood businesses by supporting them with the resources they need to succeed.”
- The Honourable Filomena Tassi, Minister responsible for the Federal Economic Development Agency for Southern Ontario
“Today’s investments will support the long-term prosperity and sustainability of our communities while strengthening our local agrifood sector right here in Guelph and across southern Ontario. ”
- Lloyd Longfield, Member of Parliament for Guelph
“One of the critical gaps that has been identified in the Canadian food and agri-technology sectors is the difficulty in getting new innovations adopted by industry. This is partially due to the high risk associated with innovation adoption, but also the time and expertise needed to complete the implementations. Through our partnership with the Government of Canada and FedDev Ontario, the Sustainable Growth and Adoption Program was designed to address these concerns, making it far easier to move innovations into the market.”
- Dave Smardon, President and Chief Executive Officer, Bioenterprise Canada
“With the support from FedDev Ontario, we are implementing our expansion plans to increase manufacturing capacity, ensuring we meet the growing demand of high-quality milk replacer products for Canadian farmers.”
- Aaron Keunen, Vice President, Mapleview Agri Ltd.
“The Government of Canada funding is a huge benefit to Farm Health Guardian and the agriculture and food sector we serve. This project will support faster commercialization of our patented digital biosecurity technology, which will improve animal health and protect farmers and food companies from the risks of animal disease.”
- Rob Hannam, Chief Executive Officer, Farm Health Guardian Ltd.
Quick facts
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Since its inception in 2003, Bioenterprise Canada has supported over 2,500 innovative ag-tech companies and helped launch 2,000 technologies.
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Mapleview Agri Ltd. conducts research in collaboration with academics as well as industry partners to develop and validate nutritional, nutraceutical and pharmaceutical products used in raising healthy animals. Mapleview has been recognized as one of the fastest-growing companies in Canada since 2019. With an extensive distribution network across Canada, Mapleview provides scientifically proven nutrition for young animals.
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Located in Guelph, Farm Health Guardian Ltd. uses facial recognition technology to manage access to farm entry points, ensuring only authorized staff can enter, helping to protect against disease. The company won the Innovation Award for livestock at Canada’s Outdoor Farm Show in 2022.
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Since 2015, the Government of Canada, through FedDev Ontario, has invested nearly $130 million in nearly 45 projects for the food producers sector in southern Ontario, supporting nearly 2,000 jobs.
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Since November 2015, the Government of Canada, through FedDev Ontario, has invested over $60 million in nearly 50 projects in Guelph, estimated to support over 5,100 jobs.
Associated links
Contacts
Edward Hutchinson
Press Secretary
Office of the Minister responsible for the Federal Economic Development Agency for Southern Ontario
Edward.Hutchinson@feddevontario.gc.ca
FedDev Ontario Media Relations
media@feddevontario.gc.ca
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