The Governments of Canada and Ontario are announcing cost-share funding to support and strengthen the health of the province’s honey bees and beekeeping sector.

“The health of bee populations is vital given the importance of pollinators to food and seed production. Our government is committed to providing beekeepers with the tools and support they need to maintain and enhance bee health, while ensuring a sustainable future for both beekeeping and the Canadian agriculture sector.”

- The Honourable Marie-Claude Bibeau, Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food

“We’re giving the province’s beekeeping sector a boost to help improve and sustain the health of honey bees and to support the important role they play in the agriculture sector. This is another example of our commitment to protect our agriculture industry while also working to help our hard-working beekeepers, farmers and food processors to succeed in their business efforts.”

- The Honourable Ernie Hardeman, Ontario Minister of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs

“Bees are important pollinators that are essential to maintaining healthy ecosystems and a healthy environment. Our government is committed to ensuring pollinators are well protected while supporting our farmers and beekeepers to thrive. Through our Made-in-Ontario Environment Plan, we’re working to protect vulnerable natural areas and other important habitats for future generations.”

- The Honourable Jeff Yurek, Minister of the Environment, Conservation and Parks

• At 23 per cent, Ontario’s average overwinter bee colony losses for this past winter were down significantly from the 2017-18 winter, based on beekeepers’ responses to OMAFRA’s spring 2019 survey.

• The health of managed honey bees is complex and influenced by several factors, including diseases, pests, genetics, environmental stressors and extreme weather.

• In addition to producing honey, Ontario-managed honey bees pollinate a wide range of crops, including apples, apricots, asparagus, blueberries, squash and canola, both within Ontario and in other provinces.

• 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.

• The beekeeper cost-share funding program has a continuous application process, with applications accepted until funding is fully allocated.

• Since June 2018, both the federal and provincial governments have committed cost-share support to almost 1,900 projects through the Partnership to help eligible Ontario farmers, processors, businesses and sector organizations innovate and grow.

Related products

• Backgrounder: Canadian Agricultural Partnership Program for Ontario Beekeepers

Associated links

• Pollinator health information for beekeepers
• Essential Practices for Beekeepers (PDF)
• Made-in-Ontario Environment Plan (PDF)

Justine Lesage
Press Secretary
Office of the Honourable Marie-Claude Bibeau
613-404-1168 (Cell)
justine.lesage@canada.ca

Media Relations
Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada
Ottawa, Ontario
613-773-7972
1-866-345-7972 
aafc.mediarelations-relationsmedias.aac@canada.ca
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Avi Yufest
Office of Ontario Minister of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs
Avi.Yufest@Ontario.ca
416-326-3067

Bianca Jamieson
Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs
Communications Branch
Bianca.jamieson@ontario.ca
519-400-9580