The governments of Canada and Ontario are supporting a project that will build and strengthen the capacity for the chicken industry to effectively and humanely manage chickens in emergency situations.

"The Government of Canada is committed to helping Canada's poultry sector proactively seek out new and innovative solutions to challenges faced by the industry. Investing in emergency preparedness and management strategies helps support the Ontario poultry farmers in their efforts to raise healthy, productive and well-cared for animals and ensure a strong and sustainable path forward for the sector."

- Marie-Claude Bibeau, Federal Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food

"Emergency situations are a reality on farms. It's important to our government to make sure that if and when those emergencies happen, farmers have a system in place to humanely deal with the animals involved. We're pleased to be able to help Ontario's chicken farmers strengthen their capacity to manage emergencies by supporting this project through the Canadian Agricultural Partnership."

- Ernie Hardeman, Ontario's Minister of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs

"Our industry is committed to the highest standards of animal welfare. This innovative, collaborative, industry-led service will strengthen our effective risk management strategies and further enhance animal care. We thank Minister Hardeman and Minister Bibeau for this support and partnership as we work together to enhance our emergency response services, and continuously improve biosecurity and animal welfare on our farms and throughout our industry."

- Ed Benjamins, Chair of Chicken Farmers of Ontario

• The Canadian Agricultural Partnership is a five-year, $3-billion commitment by Canada's federal, provincial and territorial governments that supports Canada's agri-food and agri-products sectors.

• Cost-share funding under the Partnership supports projects in the following priority areas:

  • Economic development in the agri-food and agri-products sectors.
  • Environmental stewardship to enhance water quality and soil health.
  • Protection and assurance to reinforce the foundation for public trust in the sector through improved assurance systems in food safety and plant and animal health.
    

• To date, both the federal and provincial governments have committed cost-share support to more than 1,150 projects through the Partnership to help eligible Ontario farmers, processors, businesses and sector organizations innovate and grow.

• In Ontario, cost-share programming to agriculture and value chain organizations is provided through the Place to Grow: Agri-food Innovation Initiative.

• Full program details on the Place to Grow initiative will be available in August 2019. The first application intake for the initiative will open on August 15, 2019 and remain open through September 27, 2019. The second Place to Grow intake is to open on January 6, 2020 and remain open through January 27, 2020.

• Ontario's agri-food sector supports more than 820,000 jobs and contributes more than $39.5 billion towards the province's Gross Domestic Product.

Associated links

• The Canadian Agricultural Partnership in Ontario
• Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada
• Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs

Justine Lesage
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Office of the Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food
justine.lesage@canada.ca
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Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs
Office of the Honourable Ernie Hardeman
Avi Yufest
416-326-3067

Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs
Communications Branch
Bianca Jamieson
519-400-9580