Simcoe-Grey Meat Packing Plant receives Funding

MPP Saunderson: Helping Local Meat Processors Increase Efficiency and Maintain Food Safety

FEBRUARY 23, 2024 ALLISTON – Brian Saunderson, Member of Provincial Parliament for Simcoe-Grey, and Parliamentary Assistant to the Attorney General, issued the following statement on the Sustainable Canadian Agricultural Partnership (Sustainable CAP), a joint funding program between the province of Ontario and government of Canada to help meat processing businesses and abattoirs in the province:
“I welcome this announcement as the Meat Processors Capacity Improvement Initiative will support upgrades that increase production capacity, efficiency, and maintain Ontario’s high food safety standards. This includes up to $150,000 for White Veal Meat Packers Ltd., in Cookstown, to purchase and install conveyors for boxing and trim/deboning lines, and semi-automatic clipper to increase labour productivity in its operations.
“The team at White Veal Meat Packers has more than half a century of experience in our area. What began as a family-owned wholesale butcher shop, is now a thriving, state of the art operation, and I’m thrilled this infusion of funding can allow them to improve their business.
“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 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.”
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ADDITIONAL QUOTES:
“I want to express my gratitude for the funding provided by the Provincial Government for our capacity enhancement project. Your support has been instrumental in enabling us to pursue our expansion goals and make a meaningful difference to our business.”

• Marcello Tomassetti of White Valley.
  “The Meat Processors Capacity Improvement Initiative is a prime example of how our government is making the right investments in the right places. 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.”
• Lisa Thompson, Ontario Minister of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs.