Canada and Ontario Invest $23.55 Million in Horticultural Innovation

Vineland, ON – The horticulture sector in Ontario is set to benefit from a significant investment by the governments of Canada and Ontario. Announced recently, the funding amounts to $23.55 million and will be directed towards horticultural research, innovation, and commercialization activities. This initiative falls under the Sustainable Canadian Agricultural Partnership (Sustainable CAP).

Chris Bittle, Member of Parliament for St. Catharines, spoke on behalf of the Honourable Lawrence MacAulay, federal Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food, highlighting the importance of this investment. “By investing in practical solutions for the horticulture sector, we can help ensure farmers have the tools and knowledge they need to stay competitive,” Bittle stated. He emphasized that the research conducted at the Vineland Research and Innovation Centre (VRIC) is pivotal in maintaining Canada’s global standing in agricultural innovation.

Yesterday I joined @samoosterhoff at @vinelandrsrch to announce Canada and Ontario are investing $23.55 M in infrastructure and research projects. Research & innovation are key to ensuring our agri-food industry continues to grow. #Ontag #SustainableCdnAg https://t.co/YAYQDIcdJR pic.twitter.com/vNQ5b46xqR

— Rob Flack (@RobFlackEML) July 12, 2024

The VRIC will use this multi-year investment to enhance the competitiveness and profitability of Ontario and Canada’s horticultural industries. Collaborating with Agricultural Research and Innovation Ontario (ARIO), the Centre aims to ensure up-to-date equipment and infrastructure are available for industry-focused research and innovation.

Ontario’s Minister of Agriculture, Food and Agribusiness, Rob Flack, underscored the role of VRIC in the broader context of Ontario’s agri-food research capabilities. “The Vineland Research and Innovation Centre is a key part of Ontario’s wider agri-food research capabilities that drive innovation and commercialization for the industry,” Flack noted. He added that the facility’s work in identifying market trends, best production practices, and competitiveness contributes significantly to the success of Ontario’s agriculture and food businesses.

The VRIC’s research is organized into five main areas: automation, biological crop protection, plant responses and the environment, plant variety development, and consumer, sensory, and market insights. These focus areas are aligned with the Grow Ontario Strategy, which aims to:

• Achieve over 250 patents and licenses through research funded by the Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Agribusiness by 2030
• Develop new agri-food technologies
• Translate and transfer research findings into practical industry solutions
• Expand the market for Ontario’s innovative technologies both domestically and globally

Sustainable CAP represents a five-year (2023-2028), $3.5-billion investment by federal, provincial, and territorial governments. Its goal is to enhance the competitiveness, innovation, and resilience of Canada’s agriculture, agri-food, and agri-based products sector. The program includes $1 billion in federal initiatives and a $2.5 billion commitment that is cost-shared 60 percent federally and 40 percent provincially/territorially for programs designed and implemented by the provinces and territories.

This substantial investment underscores the commitment of both the federal and provincial governments to support the agricultural sector, ensuring that it remains competitive, innovative, and resilient in the face of global challenges. For Ontario’s farmers and consumers, this means a brighter, more sustainable future in horticulture.