Ontario is partnering with Conestoga Meat Packers to help boost productivity and expand its pork processing capacity by 86 per cent, creating 170 new jobs at its Breslau facility.
Daiene Vernile, MPP for Kitchener Centre, made the announcement Sept. 15 in Breslau on behalf of Jeff Leal, Minister of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs.
Conestoga Meat Packers is Ontario's second largest pork processor and is a wholly owned subsidiary of Progressive Pork Producers Co-operative Inc., a co-operative of 157 southwestern Ontario hog producers.
With support from Ontario's Jobs and Prosperity Fund, the company will be able to purchase leading-edge equipment that will almost double its meat processing capacity. Increased productivity will expand its product offerings and enhance export revenue, helping to keep Ontario's pork industry competitive.
Supporting a strong and innovative food processing sector is part of our plan to create jobs, grow our economy and help people in their everyday lives.
Quick Facts
- Ontario is investing up to $5.3 million in this project through its Jobs and Prosperity Fund – Food and Beverage Growth Fund.
- The investment is expected to create 170 new jobs over the seven-year term of the project, with the potential of creating an additional 165 jobs in Ontario in the following years.
- The Jobs and Prosperity Fund is providing $2.7 billion over 10 years to enhance productivity, boost innovation and grow Ontario’s exports. As part of the Jobs and Prosperity Fund, the Food and Beverage Growth Fund supports food, beverage and bio-product manufacturing projects that help create and retain jobs, increase domestic and export market access, and enhance innovation and productivity.
- The Jobs and Prosperity Fund helps secure private sector investment in Ontario, allowing the government to partner with businesses that are creating jobs and enhancing productivity, innovation and exports. Every dollar invested through the fund leverages an average of $9 in private sector investments.
- Since January 2013 Ontario has announced over 25 projects with government commitments totaling over $600 million, leveraging more than $6.3 billion in private sector investment.
- Ontario’s agri-food sector supports more than 800,000 jobs and contributes more than $37 billion toward the province’s Gross Domestic Product.
- Ontario is home to Canada’s largest food processing sector, employing 94,500 people across the province.
