The Canadian Agricultural Partnership program
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: March 7, 2019
QUEEN’S PARK – Farmers, businesses and organizations in the agri-food sector depend on the Canadian Agricultural Partnership, the CAP program, for various eligible projects. During Question Period, Toby Barrett, Haldimand-Norfolk MPP asked Ernie Hardeman, Minister of Agriculture, Food, and Rural Affairs, “for details on the latest intake under the partnership and how it’s going to help our farmers and our agribusinesses to grow and innovate.”
“The new intake will focus on eligible projects related to economic development [and] environmental stewardship,” said Minister Hardeman. “The intake will focus on protection and assurances to reinforce the foundation of public trust in the sector regarding food safety and plant and animal health.”
Through the CAP program the government is empowering farmers and agribusinesses as well as making it easier for them to do business in Ontario so they can continue to do what they do best: feed Ontario’s families. Economic development, environmental stewardship and food safety are some of the government’s top priorities.
“These categories focus on what’s important, like safe and healthy food, economic growth, job creation and protecting our environment for future generations,” Barrett pointed out in the Legislature.
The agriculture industry is one of the largest economic sectors in the province. There are four jobs waiting for every agriculture industry graduate in Ontario. The government wants to see those numbers increase.
“Our farmers are environmental stewards, always finding the most innovative ways to protect our land, our air and our waterways,” said Minister Hardeman in response to Barrett’s supplementary question. “We have a food system in Ontario and in Canada that works and catches problems before they impact public health.”
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For more information, contact MPP Toby Barrett at 519-428-0446 or toby.barrett@pc.ola.org