(AGENPARL) – lun 28 novembre 2022 [Ontario Logo]
NEWS RELEASE
Ontario Unveils Plan to Strengthen Food Supply Chain from Farm to Fork
Grow Ontario Strategy designed to increase production of food grown and consumed in the province
November 28, 2022
“The Grow Ontario Strategy is our government’s plan to make sure the province’s food supply chain remains safe, strong and stable from farm to fork,” said Lisa Thompson, Minister of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs. “This plan is a bold vision of pride and trust in the quality and quantity of food produced in Ontario, grown on the foundation of a competitive agri-food industry that serves the needs of Ontarians, Canadians and the world.”
The plan focuses on three key priorities:
– Strengthen Agri-food Supply Chain Stability: Increase both the consumption and production of food grown and prepared in Ontario by 30 per cent, increase Ontario’s food and beverage manufacturing GDP by 10 per cent and boost Ontario’s agri-food exports eight per cent annually by 2032. This includes opening applications for the $10 million Food Security and Supply Chain Fund which will provide funding for projects such as updated inventory software, expanded warehousing to allow increased inventory levels or automation equipment to address labour gaps. The province is also strengthening its food processing capacity and food security to position the sector for growth through the $25 million Strategic Agri-Food Processing Fund.
– Increase Agri-food Technology and Adoption: Boost research infrastructure, advance the uptake of new technologies, grow the market for Ontario innovative technologies domestically and globally, and grow the use of data to support efficiencies in the agri-food sector and value chain. The province will also begin consultations on modernizing the Agricultural Research Institute of Ontario Act to fuel innovation and support efforts to provide modern, relevant research information to farmers and agri-food businesses.
– Attract and Grow Ontario’s Agri-food Talent: The province aims to increase total agri-food sector employment by 10 per cent by 2032, as well as increase awareness of modern, high-tech agri-food careers, opportunities for mentorship and hands-on job training, and support efforts to increase veterinary capacity in underserviced areas of the province. This includes launching public consultations to explore opportunities to modernize the Veterinarians Act as part of the plan to increase access to veterinary care in Ontario.
“The Grow Ontario Strategy is an important part of Less Red Tape, Stronger Ontario, our fall red tape reduction package to strengthen provincial supply chains and improve competitiveness,” said Parm Gill, Minister of Red Tape Reduction. “We’re stepping up our efforts to work directly with Ontarians to remove red tape and regulatory barriers across government, so people can thrive and businesses can prosper.”
“In these globally troubled times, few things are as critical to the well-being of Ontarians as a secure food supply,” said Christine Hogarth, MPP for Etobicoke-Lakeshore. “This strategy will strengthen our supply chain while supporting our province’s all-important agri-food sector.”
Quick Facts
– The Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs is expanding international trade markets for agri-food businesses by embarking on a trade mission with businesses to Japan and Vietnam in February 2023.
– Ontario’s agri-food sector contributes $47 billion in GDP to the provincial economy, representing 6.4 per cent of total Ontario GDP.
– Food and beverage processing is the province’s largest manufacturing sector in terms of GDP and one of the largest in North America. The Grow Ontario Strategy goal is to increase food and beverage GDP by 10 per cent by 2032.
– Ontario’s agri-food sector employs more than 750,000 people, accounting for one-in-ten jobs in the province.
– 48,346 Ontario farmsproduce over 200 different commodities.
Additional Resources
Media Contacts
Emily McLaughlin
Minister’s Office
Media Line, (519) 826-3145
Communications Branch