Whitehorse, Yukon, April 24, 2013 – Growing Forward 2 (GF2) program details for the agriculture sector in Yukon were announced today by Federal Agriculture Minister Gerry Ritz and Yukon Minister of Energy, Mines and Resources Brad Cathers. The announcement follows the signing of the Canada-Yukon Growing Forward 2 bilateral agreement.
“Our Government is focused on the priorities of Canadians—jobs, growth and long-term prosperity. This agreement reflects the flexibility of GF2 to deliver effective programs that focus on innovation and help grow agriculture in Yukon,” said Minister Ritz. “We will continue to work with governments and industry to target investments and create opportunity in Canadian agriculture from the local level right up to the international stage.”
Growing Forward 2 is a renewed commitment by the federal, provincial and territorial governments to ensure productivity and profitability for Canada’s agricultural sector. With a focus on innovation, competitiveness, and market development, Growing Forward 2 programs are designed to help the industry position itself to respond to future opportunities and to realize its full potential as a significant contributor to the Canadian economy. Growing Forward 2 continues to support enhancing the agricultural industry in Yukon. Programs are tailored to encourage the growth of Yukon’s agricultural industry and to meet its diverse regional requirements.
“Growing Forward helped develop Yukon’s agriculture sector by providing funding for modernized equipment, increasing knowledge of safe practices for handling and processing foods, increasing awareness of agri-environmental impacts and implementing best management practices on Yukon farms,” Cathers said. “Growing Forward 2 will build on these successes and continue to strengthen and improve the growing agriculture community and industry in Yukon.”
The new five-year Growing Forward 2 agreement includes $2 billion for federal-provincial-territorial strategic initiatives, a 50 per cent increase in cost-shared funding, as well as $1 billion for federal-only strategic initiatives. The federal government has announced details of its three federal programs: AgriInnovation, AgriMarketing and AgriCompetitiveness.
Under Growing Forward 2 governments will offer programming to support key infrastructure development to support the continued diversification of farm products destined for farmers’ markets, restaurants and store shelves.
For more information on Growing Forward 2, visit agriculture.canada.ca/GrowingForward2. A complete list of Growing Forward 2 programs in Yukon is available at www.emr.gov.yk.ca/agriculture/funding_programs.html.
