Helping Local Meat Processors Increase Efficiency and Maintain Food Safety

Dufferin-Caledon – The governments of Canada and Ontario are making investments through the Sustainable Canadian Agricultural Partnership (Sustainable CAP) to help meat processing businesses and abattoirs in the province make upgrades that will increase production capacity, efficiency and maintain Ontario’s high food safety standards.

Sylvia Jones, MPP for Dufferin-Caledon welcomes this announcement as the Meat Processors Capacity Improvement Initiative will provide up to $150,000 for Dufferin County Meats Inc. in Amaranth for a drip cooler with condensing units, conveyor systems and mezzanines to increase production capacity and productivity.

A total of 151 meat processors are receiving cost-share funding through the Meat Processors Capacity Improvement Initiative to make upgrades to meat handling and processing equipment, technology and practices that will improve productivity, efficiency and food safety.

“The Meat Processors Capacity Improvement Initiative is a prime example of how our government is making the right investments in the right places,” said Lisa Thompson, Ontario Minister of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs. “By supporting meat processors who are working to improve efficiencies and increase capacity, we’re ensuring that Ontario’s meat processing sector can compete globally and opening doors to new opportunities.”

The Meat Processors Capacity Improvement Initiative also covers training and engineering costs associated with completing the projects. Applications opened on August 31, 2023, and closed on September 25, 2023. All projects are expected to be fully completed with equipment delivered by March 1, 2024. 

The action builds on previous investments of over $14 million in the Meat Processors Capacity Improvement Initiative funded through the Canadian Agricultural Partnership (CAP) since 2020.

Sustainable CAP is a five-year (2023-2028), $3.5-billion investment by federal, provincial and territorial governments to strengthen competitiveness, innovation, and resiliency of the agriculture, agri‐food and agri‐based products sector. This includes $1 billion in federal programs and activities and a $2.5 billion commitment that is cost-shared 60 per cent federally and 40 per cent provincially/territorially for programs that are designed and delivered by the provinces and territories.

MEDIA CONTACTS

Heather Grégoire, EA for Sylvia Jones, MPP Dufferin-Caledon

Heather.gregoire@pc.ola.org