KAWARTHA LAKES-The governments of Canada and Ontario say they are investing up to $1 million over two years through the Sustainable Canadian Agricultural Partnership (Sustainable CAP) to support productivity and growth in the province’s maple syrup sector.
Officials say the Maple Production Improvement Initiative will provide eligible maple syrup producers access to cost-shared funding to support a range of activities to enhance their operations. Project costs can be applied retroactively to April 1, 2023, when Sustainable CAP officially launched.
“Ontario’s maple syrup producers continue to deliver exceptional products that are enjoyed here in Canada, and around the world,” said the Honourable Lawrence MacAulay, federal minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food. “This initiative is an investment in future growth,and will bring more operational efficiency to the sector.”
“Our government appreciates the resilience and determination of maple syrup producers throughout Ontario and how they have continued to build a solid market for their maple syrup products,” said Lisa Thompson, Ontario Minister of Agriculture, Food, and Rural Affairs. “This investment, through the Sustainable Canadian Agricultural Partnership, will drive increased production, supporting specific growth targets for the wider sector laid out in our Grow Ontario Strategy.”
Under the Maple Production Improvement Initiative, applicants can receive up to 50 per cent cost-share funding for eligible costs, to a maximum of $20,000 per project.
Eligible businesses can apply for support through this program starting on November 9, 2023. The initiative will support the purchase and installation of upgraded production equipment for eligible syrup producers, that increase productivity, efficiency and growth, such as reverse osmosis or remote monitoring systems. It will also provide funding to cover a portion of certain woodlot management activities, including tree marking and the development of a forest plan, to assist the operation of eligible businesses.
“Ontario has a tremendous opportunity to grow its maple syrup sector; whereas Ontario has the largest number of maple trees in Canada, only a very small percentage of this number is used for maple syrup production. The Ontario Maple Syrup Producers’ Association is very pleased by this announcement, and we look forward to continuing to work closely, with both levels of government, to create the conditions to bring more of Ontario’s maple trees into production.” said Randal Goodfellow
President, Ontario Maple Syrup Producers’ Association.
To be eligible, applicants must have a minimum of 1,000 taps in operation, as of April 1, 2023 and meet other criteria.
