In a joint effort to enhance the meat processing industry in Ontario, the Canadian and Ontario governments are channeling over $13 million through the Sustainable Canadian Agricultural Partnership (Sustainable CAP). The initiative, aimed at supporting independent meat processors and abattoirs, seeks to elevate productivity, efficiency, and food safety standards within the province.
This financial injection builds upon previous investments exceeding $14 million since 2020 under the Meat Processors Capacity Improvement Initiative, a component of the Canadian Agricultural Partnership (CAP). The Sustainable CAP, a comprehensive 5-year, $3.5-billion investment, is designed to fortify competitiveness, foster innovation, and enhance resilience in the agriculture sector, with a significant focus on federal-provincial collaborations.
Under Sustainable CAP, this funding will back 151 projects dedicated to improving meat handling and processing equipment, adopting advanced technologies, and refining industry practices. Notable beneficiaries of this support include Penokean Hills Farms, Sikorski Sausages, and Townsend Butchers, which will utilize the funds for equipment upgrades aimed at augmenting production capacity.
The initiative extends beyond equipment upgrades, also encompassing training and engineering costs. Applications for project proposals were accepted from August to September 2023, and the slated completion for the 151 projects is March 2024, as outlined in the news release. This collaborative effort underscores the commitment of both governments to fortify and modernize the meat processing sector, ensuring its sustainability and competitiveness in the evolving agricultural landscape.
