The governments of Canada and Manitoba are investing in several major capital infrastructure and investment projects under the Sustainable Canadian Agriculture Partnership (Sustainable CAP) that will increase food processing capacity in Manitoba, allowing producers to sell more of their product locally and create more agricultural jobs, Agriculture Minister Ron Kostyshyn announced today (Thu).

“We’re supporting Manitoba companies to process more of our homegrown agricultural products right here, so we can grow our agriculture sector and our economy,” said Kostyshyn. “Helping food processors scale up production will mean more good Manitoba jobs, an increased value and volume of Manitoba-grown commodities, and a more competitive economy that benefits all Manitobans.”

Through Sustainable CAP the governments are investing up to $15.4 million over four years to 70 projects through four streams of the Capital Infrastructure and Investments program. These projects support growth and expansion through capital investments in modernization activities that enhance efficiency, productivity and environmental sustainability .

“Burnbrae is proud to have been providing quality eggs and egg products to food service operators, processors and Canadian families for over 80 years”, said Margaret Hudson, president and CEO of Burnbrae Farms. “We are grateful to the federal and provincial governments for recognizing the hard work of our staff and management that made this success possible. The funding from this program will allow us to expand the capacity of our Winnipeg operation and continue to provide a variety of eggs from responsibly raised hens for all Canadians to enjoy.”

Some of the companies and their funded projects include:

• Burnbrae Farms Limited specializes in egg production and egg based products. This funding is to modernize and improve efficiency at their Winnipeg plant and allow greater capacity.
• Kimberly Packing Corporation, under Kroeker Farms Limited is a producer and processor of potatoes in southern Manitoba. This funding will allow them to package their product in Manitoba, a process currently done outside the province.
• Roquette Canada Limited is investing in new equipment at its Portage la Prairie pea protein plant, the largest pea protein processing plant in the world. This will double their production and allow local producers to sell more of their product in Manitoba.
• Spenst Bros Premium Meats is a farm family owned pizza production facility, retail store and meat processing plant located in Winkler. The project involves expanding the market for their popular frozen pizza products across Canada.

Funding will allow organizations to purchase equipment that will bring new and innovative technologies into the production process, improving productivity and leading to increased employment and scaled up production.

“Roquette searched far and wide when looking for the perfect place to build our state-of-the-art pea protein plant,” said Chris Chinery, manager, Roquette Portage Pea Protein Plant. “We settled on Manitoba and more precisely, Portage la Prairie, because of the potential we saw for partnering with government to foster innovation and help create a hub for sustainable, plant-based ingredients that will help feed North America and the world. Over the years, we have been delighted to see that potential become reality and remain grateful for that partnership.”

The Sustainable Canadian Agricultural Partnership is a five-year, $3.5-billion investment by Canada’s federal, provincial and territorial governments to strengthen the 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 provinces and territories.

For more information on Manitoba programs under the Sustainable Canadian Agricultural Partnership, visit www.manitoba.ca/scap/.

(Manitoba Government news release)