Ontario Championing Agri-Food Research

GUELPH – The Government of Ontario is investing over $8 million in 47 Ontario-led research and innovation projects that will enhance the productivity of Ontario’s agri-food sector and position it for continued growth. Approved projects will help farmers protect animal health and welfare, enhance plant health and protection, drive economic development, and support improvements to environmental sustainability.

“Ontario-led research is helping our farmers, processors and agri-food businesses be more competitive on a global scale,” said Lisa Thompson, Minister of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs. “Through the Ontario Agri-Food Innovation Alliance Tier 1 projects, our government is helping to develop the technologies and innovations needed to advance our agriculture and food industry.”

These investments are being made through the Ontario Agri-Food Innovation Alliance, a collaboration between the Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs and the University of Guelph that works to advance the next generation of agri-food innovations. The 47 approved Alliance research projects will focus on providing support for rural communities, keeping our food supply safe, and developing a prosperous, environmentally sustainable agri-food sector.

As part of these 47 projects, the government is investing approximately $1 million through the Ontario Agri-Food Innovation Alliance Special Initiative Program in the Braiding Food Systems: Co-Constructing Indigenous Seed Systems in Northern Ontario for Food Sovereignty, Security and Climate Adaptation project. This project uses a community-based approach to address food insecurity and climate change impacting Northern Ontario First Nations communities.

“Our government has an ambitious plan to address food insecurity in northern, rural and Indigenous communities,” said Greg Rickford, Minister of Indigenous Affairs and Minister of Northern Development. “Through partnerships with tremendous institutions such as the University of Guelph, we are delivering on our promise to support farmers while ensuring every community has access to healthy, nutritious food so they can thrive.”

Other projects selected for funding include:

Managing soybean pests to promote sustainable yields
Optimizing immunity in poultry to reduce impacts of potential disease
Diversifying the value chain for expanding markets in the brewing industry
Examining the use of agri-food wastes in novel applications

“Through the power of partnership, the University of Guelph drives innovation and brings farm-tested research to the table, in Ontario and globally,” said Dr. Charlotte Yates, President, University of Guelph. “The Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs investment in world-class U of G research is vital to advancing a sustainable, competitive agri-food sector that makes a difference to the environment, to businesses, to producers, to communities and to the health of people, animals and planet.”

This initiative supports the goal outlined in the Grow Ontario Strategy of increasing agri-food innovation and adoption. The technologies and best practices developed through these projects will help strengthen the agri-food sector and ensure an efficient, reliable, and responsive food supply for Ontario and our international partners.

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“Investing provincial dollars to design and build mobile tech classrooms is exactly the out-of-the-box thinking Ontario needs to attract the next generation to the skilled trades. By bringing the trades directly to students, parents and teachers, Minister McNaughton is embodying the ‘all hands on deck’ approach required to close the skilled trades labour shortage we are facing.”

– Frank Notte
Director of Government Relations, Motor Vehicle Retailers of Ontario

“This latest investment by the Government of Ontario into the Skills Ontario mobile tech units will provide the all-important initial exposure to our youth by bringing hands-on learning stations and leading-edge simulators directly to their doorstep. This is a wonderful initiative and a great investment into the future of the province.”

– Jonathan White
International Representative – CSO, International Brotherhood of Boilermakers

“Today’s announcement is important in supporting people who are interested in exploring opportunities in the trades and finding a fulfilling and rewarding career path. Recruiting a new generation of trades people will allow us to build the homes, roads and infrastructure this province desperately needs, while opening up a door to a rewarding career and financial security for more of Ontario’s young people.”

– Mike Gallagher
Business Manager, IUOE Local 793

“Mobile Tech Classrooms serve as a catalyst for opportunity while working to advance accessibility, education and promotion of rewarding careers in the skilled-trades. LiUNA looks forward to continuing to work together with Minister McNaughton and Skills Ontario to invest in a comprehensive skilled trades strategy, attract talent and highlight skilled trades as a viable, first choice career path through the continuation of outreach, education and hands-on skills development programs.”

– Victoria Mancinelli
LiUNA Director Public Relations, Marketing, Strategic Partnerships

“These mobile tech classrooms are another example of Premier Ford and Minister McNaughton’s commitment to showcase the skilled trades to all corners of Ontario. UA Local 787 HVACR supports the Ontario government’s policies and investments to bring the best out of Ontario’s trades and to attract today’s generations into tomorrow’s promising future of building Ontario.”

– Andrew Tarr
Business Manager, UA Local HVACR 787

“The Provincial Building and Construction Trades Council of Ontario supports the Government of Ontario’s investment in building and deploying mobile training trailers with Skills Ontario. The skilled trades offer a lifelong career opportunity and the more people that can learn about jobs that exist within the sector, the better our province will be for it.”

– Marc Arsenault
Business Manager, Provincial Building & Construction Trades Council of Ontario

Ontario Championing Agri-Food Research

Ontario Championing Agri-Food Research

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