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Farmers And Businesses Benefit From Provincial Support
- $235 Million In Additional Funding This Year Alone
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TORONTO, Dec. 29 /CNW/ - The McGuinty government's support for the agri-food industry and investments in rural infrastructure during 2006 have helped build a stronger foundation for future prosperity, Minister of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs Leona Dombrowsky said today.
"We've made great progress in co-operation with Ontario's rural communities, farmers, food manufacturers and the many other businesses they support and depend on," Dombrowsky said. "Our government has consistently been there to help during the difficult times, and is moving in new directions that are good for the environment, good for the economy and good for the health of all our citizens."
During 2006, the government:
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- provided $235 million over and above ongoing programs to help farmers
deal with circumstances beyond their control, bringing total
assistance to more than $900 million over the past three years
- made an initial investment of $32 million out of a committed
$520 million to boost Ontario's ethanol production, creating jobs and
new markets for the agri-food industry, and cleaner energy
- committed more than $200 million to rural communities to help improve
bridges, roads, solid waste management facilities, water and
wastewater treatment facilities, as well as to revitalize economies,
enhance local skills and increase access to health care services.
"We're very proud of our record in rural Ontario, and are looking forward
to even greater achievements in 2007," Dombrowsky said.
Disponible en français
www.omafra.gov.on.ca
Backgrounder
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2006 IN REVIEW: GOVERNMENT ACHIEVEMENTS FOR RURAL ONTARIO
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Ontario's rural communities significantly contribute to the identity and prosperity of the province. The McGuinty government is on the side of families who live in rural Ontario and has made important investments to strengthen rural communities.
In early 2006, the government released its Rural Plan Update, titled "Building Strong Rural Communities: Working Together for Success ... And Achieving It." This document details the province's progress in helping rural communities achieve more prosperity, more job opportunities, improved access to health care and education, better decisions about land use, better protection of the environment, and a higher quality of life.
This year, the Ontario government has committed more than $200 million to the rural communities, to help improve bridges, roads, solid waste management facilities, water and wastewater treatment facilities, as well as to revitalize economies, enhance local skills and increase access to health care services.
Highlights of this year's achievements for rural Ontario include:
Rural Economic Development (RED) Program
The Rural Economic Development (RED) program provides funding for projects that are community-based partnerships that support sustainable rural economies in three priority areas: improved access to health care services, revitalized communities and downtowns, and enhanced skills training.
Under this program, 33 projects were approved for funding in 2006, in which the province is investing $9.6 million. This funding, in addition to the investments made by the communities themselves, amounts to a total investment of more than $46 million.
Project examples:
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- The government is contributing $973,000 to the "Journey to your good
health" project for the Royal Agricultural Winter Fair and Ontario
Agri-Food Education Incorporated. This project includes an
interactive program which engages elementary school students in
hands-on learning about how food and exercise affect health.
- The government is contributing $1.7 million to Ferrero Canada in
partnership with the City of Brantford to implement a recruitment and
specialized training project to support the 900,000 square foot
state-of-the-art chocolate and confectionary manufacturing facility
in Brantford, Ontario. This facility, which officially opened on
October 20, 2006, is the largest of its kind in North America, and
will employ up to 1,200 skilled workers by 2009.
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Canada-Ontario Municipal Rural Infrastructure Fund (COMRIF)
Under COMRIF, the governments of Ontario and Canada, together with their municipal partners, will contribute up to $900 million towards improved infrastructure across the province. Projects to ensure clean and safe drinking water, better sewage systems, improved waste management processes, and safer roads and bridges will be funded. Green infrastructure is a priority, with at least 55 per cent of funding going towards projects involving water quality, sustainable communities and innovation.
In 2006, the governments of Ontario and Canada announced a joint investment of more than $235 million in 88 communities through Intake Two of COMRIF. These investments will provide municipalities with the support they need to renew essential infrastructure in their communities.
COMRIF Intake Three is anticipated to be announced in winter 2007.
Asset Management Program (AMP) component of COMRIF
In December 2006, the governments of Ontario and Canada launched the Asset Management Program component of COMRIF. Ontario and Canada are cumulatively investing up to $5.96 million to help eligible municipalities and local services boards (LSBs) with asset management planning and capacity building. Consistent with the COMRIF program, eligible municipalities and LSBs are required to contribute one-third of the total costs of AMP initiatives. Municipal contributions may reach $2.98 million, for a total AMP investment of nearly $9 million.
Other Rural Funding
In addition to this year's commitments under COMRIF and the RED Program, the province committed $60 million to help Ontario municipalities renew their infrastructure, and $9.6 million for economic development.
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Other Rural Development Initiatives
Downtown Revitalization - The ministry continues to help communities
to create and implement downtown revitalizations. Seven new pilot
communities are working through the revitalization process.
First Impressions Community Exchange (FICE) is a structured process
that reveals the first impressions a community conveys to visitors.
Volunteer "visiting teams" from two exchange communities do
unannounced incognito visits, record their observations and provide
constructive feedback to their exchange community. Fifteen of these
exchanges were arranged in 2006 involving 30 communities. The
knowledge gained through the FICE experience is being used for
positive community action for downtown revitalization, tourism
development, investment attraction and community strategic planning
efforts.
Business Retention and Expansion (BR+E) - This program promotes job
growth and economic prosperity in rural Ontario by helping
communities identify both opportunities for expansion and the
barriers facing local businesses. In 2006, staff completed BR+E
coordinator training sessions in Owen Sound, Ingersoll, Morrisburg
and Midland, which were attended by 80 participants. Two community
of practice sessions were held, with approximately 70 participants
sharing their best practices in implementing BR+E in their local
communities. Twenty-nine communities have started new BR+E projects
since January 2006.
A number of seminars and workshops were also conducted on topics
ranging from increasing local tourism to linking small businesses to
apprenticeship opportunities.
Rural Summer Jobs Service
Each year, the Rural Summer Jobs Service program assists 4,000
students in rural Ontario obtain summer jobs. This program supports
youth employment in rural areas and helps youth gain valuable work
experience. Through the program, the government provides a $2/hour
student wage subsidy to employers who create summer employment
opportunities for students.
Disponible en français
www.omafra.gov.on.ca
Backgrounder
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2006 IN REVIEW: STRENGTHENING ONTARIO'S AGRI-FOOD SECTOR
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The year 2006 was another landmark for Ontario government support for Ontario's agri-food sector. This sector generates revenue of $30 billion a year, employs more than 700,000 people, ships more than $8 billion in exports annually, and accounts for more than 40 per cent of Canada's food and beverage capacity.
The government supports a vision for an agri-food sector that is innovative, sustainable, globally competitive, responsive to consumer needs and contributes to Ontario's economic, environmental and social health. This vision was endorsed by the government and industry at the second Premier's Summit on Agri-Food in February 2006.
The summit also resulted in the Premier's Awards for Agri-Food Innovation Excellence, a five-year, $2.5-million program to recognize farm-based ideas that generate new products, new jobs and new opportunities in the agri-food sector. It also generated the highly successful Outlook Conference, with a line-up of international speakers and panels who examined how innovation in Ontario's agriculture and food industry can create more opportunities for farmers and rural communities and lead to better health for Ontarians.
Ontario's Rural Plan 2006 update report demonstrated how the Province is boosting economic development, addressing infrastructure needs and meeting the unique needs of residents in rural and northern communities.
Among other 2006 achievements are:
Competitiveness and Economic Support
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- Helping farmers build a more sustainable future by providing
$125 million in immediate financial assistance, putting money in
their pockets before spring planting. A total of $80 million went to
grain and oilseed producers to offset losses on the 2005 crop,
$25 million to producers of edible horticultural crops to offset past
losses and extend the Self-Directed Risk Management program for 2006,
and $10 million for an Ontario livestock and poultry traceability
system to help industry strengthen emergency management and
capitalize on market opportunities.
- Announcing an additional $185-million investment in rural Ontario. Of
this, $110 million is going to farmers and $75 million to rural
infrastructure. More than $900-million has been provided to farmers
to help stabilize incomes since 2003.
- Investing $32 million in the construction of new ethanol plants,
which will provide jobs, economic opportunities, new markets for
farmers, and cleaner air for all Ontarians. The funding is part of
the $520-million Ontario Ethanol Growth Fund, which will also provide
operating grants worth up to $60 million annually for the new plants
in Hensall and Aylmer, as well as existing facilities in Chatham and
Collingwood.
- Providing $4 million in new funding for transitional support for an
affordable deadstock collection system. In total, the government has
provided more than $9 million for this service since the BSE crisis
in 2003.
- Providing $1.7 million to support Atwood Pet Food Limited. The
company has made a commitment to the livestock industry to find an
affordable, environmentally safe rendering and recycling system for a
portion of livestock mortalities.
- Helping educate students about agriculture by supporting Ontario
Agri-Food Education Inc. with $1.2 million over three years. The 2006
installment, worth $400,000, was the third under a memorandum of
understanding between the province and the organization.
- Supporting learning opportunities for the next generation of
agricultural leaders by providing the Centre for Rural Leadership
with $152,000 over two years. The funding will go towards the
organization's Advanced Agricultural Leadership program, one of the
longest-running, most successful programs of its kind in the world.
- Helping young people gain new learning experiences in their
communities by providing $2.1 million over three years to 4-H
Ontario. This year marked the second installment of $700,000.
- Supporting farm gate sales to the public with a $60,000 investment
over three years in the Ontario Farm Fresh Marketing Association.
This year, a second installment of $20,000 was provided to the
organization to help farmers market their produce, products and agri-
tourism experiences to the public.
- Investing in programs to promote farm safety. The government is
providing a total of $360,000 over three years to the Farm Safety
Association to help it reduce injuries and illnesses on Ontario
farms. This is the first installment under the memorandum of
understanding between the province and the organization.
- Recognizing with Foodland Ontario Retailer Awards 28 grocery
retailers who have done an outstanding job of promoting the produce
grown by Ontario farmers.
- Investing $140,000 in the Royal Agricultural Winter Fair to continue
promoting agricultural awareness in Ontario, across the country and
around the world.
- Providing $270,000 over three years to Farmers' Markets Ontario to
support the growth of farmers' markets, which have $1.9-billion
economic impact on the province's rural economy. The 2006 installment
of $90,000 is the second under a memorandum of understanding signed
by the province and the organization.
- Introducing a new regulation under the Farm Implements Act that
supports smaller farm equipment dealers, their customers and the
rural communities they support and depend on.
- Food industry investments made in Ontario this year include:
- Kellogg North America is investing in its first new cereal plant
on the continent in almost 20 years. The $108-million plant, being
constructed in the Belleville area, will initially employ 120
people and provide positive economic spinoffs in the local
economy.
- Saputo Inc. - Riverside Cheese and Butter Division is investing
$4 million for expansion capacity.
- Blommer Chocolate, based in Chicago, purchased the existing
World's Finest Chocolate plant in Campbellford, Ontario. The
purchase resulted in retention of about 30 jobs in eastern
Ontario.
- Wrigley Canada Inc. is making a significant investment to expand
and add new lines to their Toronto facility. Once completed it
will be Wrigley's North American centre for sugar-free gum.
- Bunge Canada announced a $50 million development of a new oilseed
refinery that will be located on the company's Hamilton crushing
property.
Healthy Environment
- Establishing the Nutrient Management Science-Based Standards
Committee to develop measures that build on nutrient management
practices and protect drinking water without placing undue burdens on
the agriculture industry. The committee will develop recommended
nutrient management standards for the ministers of agriculture, food
and rural affairs and the environment by 2008.
- Putting in place clear land use planning tools that strengthen rural
communities and the agricultural sector. The government improved
Minimum Distance Separation (MDS) formulas to ensure fairness in
their use for farm operators, property owners and proponents of new
development.
- Investing $426,000 over three years in the Ontario Soil and Crop
Improvement Association's efforts to give farmers the tools they need
to make their farms even more economically and environmentally
efficient. This year marked the first installment of $142,000 under
the memorandum of understanding signed by the province and the
organization.
Food Safety
- Extending application deadlines for the Meat Plant Assistance program
to help industry meet requirements of a new, more stringent meat
regulation. The $25.4-million program is being delivered over four
years and is designed to help the industry in education, training,
technical and business decisions and facility and operation upgrades.
- Recognizing eight Ontario food manufacturers for obtaining HACCP
Advantage certification. The program helps companies further
safeguard the food supply, meet customer demands and capture new
markets.
- Enhancing the province's ability to prevent and respond to animal
disease threats like avian influenza by transferring $25 million to
the University of Guelph to support animal health in the province.
- Taking steps to further protect the health and safety of Ontarians by
consulting on details of an animal health strategy. Meetings were
held in late fall to determine the tools needed for a more
comprehensive approach to animal health.
Research and Innovation
- Establishing the Minister's Strategic Advisory Committee to help the
government strengthen the agri-food industry for the benefit of rural
families. The 16-member committee is drawn from a broad cross-section
of the industry and will advise the minister on how to best implement
an industry vision and strategic directions that came out of the 2006
Premier's Summit on Agri-Food. The committee also advised on the
design of an Outlook Conference on innovation in the agri-food
sector, held on November 8-9, 2006, and will provide an update on
industry progress at the next Premier's Agri-Food Summit, being
planned for early 2007.
- Appointing an advisory panel to examine the future revitalization of
the Vineland Research Station in the Niagara region. The four-member
expert panel was given $200,000 in funding and charged with exploring
how the facility can be transformed into a modern, revitalized centre
of excellence that serves the industry in the region and throughout
the province.
- Completing the transfer of 14 research stations and three colleges to
the Agricultural Research Institute of Ontario. This initiative will
better align the management of the province's agricultural research
infrastructure with program priorities, and leverage greater
investment from the agri-food industry.
- Supporting 17 new research projects that will help strengthen the
province's agri-food sector. In partnership with the federal
government, the Ontario government has committed more than
$1.75 million through the Alternative Renewable Fuels Research and
Development Fund and the Life Sciences and Agri-Food Innovation Fund.
Disponible en français
www.omafra.gov.on.ca
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For further information: Christopher Flavelle, Minister's Office, (416) 326-3072; Brent Ross, Communications Branch, (416) 326-9342, Cell: (416) 528-5059
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