CanNor investments support jobs, growth and agri-food opportunities across the territories

COVID-19 has underscored the importance of a safe, resilient food supply for all Canadians. Securing our food system begins in the field, and the Government of Canada is working with agri-food businesses and organizations in the territories and across the country to foster innovation and help producers embrace new technologies, increase productivity, develop value-added products and expand to new markets.

The Government of Canada, through the Canadian Northern Economic Development Agency (CanNor), is investing nearly $4.6 million to support agri-food producers and organizations across the territories. Additional investments of $604,348 have been provided through the Canadian Agricultural Partnership, a federal-provincial-territorial initiative to strengthen the agriculture and agri-food sector. This will help the agricultural industries of Nunavut, Northwest Territories and Yukon innovate, grow and play a major role in the economic recovery of Canada's territories.

Agri-food focused initiatives supported by CanNor

Nunavut

Government of Nunavut - Harvesting Infrastructure Investments: $2,000,000

CanNor invested $2,000,000 in this two-year project with a further $873,444 investment from the Government of Nunavut, and $526,556 through the Canadian Agricultural Partnership. The total cost of the project is $3,400,000. This project will see the completion of the design, build and installation of community freezers in Sanirajak (formerly Hall Beach), Baker Lake, and Kimmirut. In addition, a country food preparation area is being added to the community freezer in Iqaluit and renovations are being completed on the community freezer in Kugluktuk. Community freezers are essential to the expansion and diversification of Nunavut's harvesting economy, and critical to improving local access to country food and overall food security in the communities within the territory.

Government of Nunavut - Intercommunity Trade System: $752,800

CanNor invested $752,800 in this two-year project with a further $188,200 investment from the Government of Nunavut. The total cost of the project is $941,000. The funding supports the development and implementation of a web-based country food system in Baker Lake, Arviat, Qikiqtarjuaq, Pond Inlet, and Kimmirut. This initiative is jointly coordinated between Iqaluit and the communities.

The Baffin Fisheries Coalition - Baffin Inshore Fisheries Development: $272,000

CanNor invested $272,000 in this two-year project with a further $160,000 investment from the Government of Nunavut, and $51,000 from Baffin Fisheries. The total cost of the project is $483,000. The funding supports the commercialization of inshore turbot and char fishing in Nunavut, as well as the development of small-scale, inshore commercial fishing operations in Pond Inlet, Clyde River, and Kimmirut.

Northwest Territories

Marine Training Centre Expansion: $849,420

CanNor invested $849,420 in this one-year project with a further $723,580 investment from the Nunavut Fisheries and Marine Training Consortium (NFMTC). The total cost of the project is $1,573,000. The funding supported the expansion of the NFMTC's training facility in Hay River which increased their capacity to deliver training to more students; the enhancement of their existing bridge simulator to provide a more comprehensive training experience; and the purchase of equipment for their training vessel to allow for various training such as search and rescue operations and fishing.

Laughing Lichen – New Facilities, Phase 2: $86,275

CanNor invested $86,275 in this one-year project with a further $65,475 from Laughing Lichen, a $20,000 investment from the Government of Northwest Territories, and $800 from the Arctic Energy Alliance. The total cost of the project is $172,550. The funding supports the expansion of their manufacturing facility outside of Yellowknife. This project builds on Laughing Lichen's efforts to grow its business and expand its manufacturing capacity of teas, soaps, and other consumable products that use locally harvested herbs and fungi. They provide internships and workshops in remote NWT communities and at their new manufacturing facility.

Yukon

Northern Blue Bird Farm - Expansion: $99,999

CanNor invested $99,999 in this four-year project with a further $57,792 investment through the Canadian Agricultural Partnership, and $62,209 from Northern Blue Bird Farm. The total cost of the project is $220,000. The funding supports the establishment of a multipurpose building to house an egg grading station, processing room and storage facility as well as set up a white meat abattoir. This project will allow the farm to further process meat into value-added products that can be sold in Yukon.

Horse Haven Ranch – Improving cattle feed and production: $99,900

CanNor invested $99,900 in this two-year project with a further $55,000 investment from the Government of Yukon, and $120,150 from Horse Haven Ranch. The total cost of the project is $275,050. The funding supports an initiative to secure high quality, low cost feed to support the expansion of cattle production in Yukon. Through this project, the Ranch will be purchasing silage equipment to feed cattle and sell to other farms in the Whitehorse area. The silage will allow low quality/previously wasted hay to be turned into a high quality feed source.

Yukon Born and Raised Inc. – Commercial Processing: $99,900

CanNor invested $99,900 in this two-year project with a further $194,500 investment from Farm Credit Canada, and $19,100 from Yukon Born and Raised Inc.. The total cost of the project is $313,500. The funding supports the purchase of an existing slaughter and processing business. It will allow the company to expand the processing and marketing of Yukon-raised meat, and to develop the Yukon meat product supply chain and support the development of the agriculture sector in the territory.

Klondike Valley Creamery – Barn Construction: $91,515

CanNor invested $91,515 in this two-year project with a further $91,516 investment from Klondike Valley Creamery (KVC). The total cost of the project is $183,031. The funding supports the construction of a new barn. As Canada's Northern-most dairy barn, this project will increase KVC's production capacity and allow the farm to meet local demand for its products.

Sunnyside Farm - Micro-Dairy Plant: Phase one, construction: $80,000

CanNor invested $80,000 in this one-year project with a further $5,000 investment through the Canadian Agricultural Partnership, and $75,000 from Sunnyside Farm. The total cost of this phase of the project is $160,000. The funding supports utilities infrastructure and groundworks necessary for the construction of a micro-dairy plant in the Whitehorse area. Due to COVID-19, the project has been divided into two phases. Building construction is scheduled to begin in the spring of 2021, provided travel from southern Canada is permitted.

ColdAcre Food Systems Inc. – All-Season Growing Facility Expansion: $76,450

CanNor invested $76,450 in this one-year project with a further $76,450 investment from ColdAcre Food Systems Inc.. The total cost of the project is $152,900. The funding supports the expansion of the company's hydroponic growing facility and the establishment of a mushroom cultivation unit. This project will increase the company's production capacity to better meet the needs of local consumers, increase revenues and expand their customer base.

Little Red Hen Eggs - Egg Grader: $42,525

CanNor invested $42,525 in this one-year project with a further $42,525 investment from Little Red Hen Eggs. The total cost of the project is $85,050. This project saw the increase of efficiency, capacity and expansion of their flock size through the purchase of a new modern egg grader.

Chilkoot Brewing Co Ltd. (Yukon Brewing) - Spent Grain Removal System: $40,000

CanNor invested $40,000 in this two-year project with a further $15,000 investment through the Canadian Agricultural Partnership, and $40,000 from Chilkoot Brewing Co Ltd. The total cost of the project is $95,000. The funding supports an initiative that will allow livestock farmers to reduce their expensive feed costs. The installation of a spent grain removal system will allow spent grain to be used by local farmers at no cost. The company will work in conjunction with the Yukon Agriculture Association to distribute grain to farmers in the Whitehorse area.