Canada's short growing season limits our ability to produce enough fruits and vegetables to meet year-round demand. That is why, as part of the recently announced $3.2-billion National Food Security Strategy, the Government of Canada is supporting innovation that helps Canadian producers increase productivity, reduce reliance on imports, and provide Canadians with consistent access to fresh, affordable, and high-quality food.
Today, the Honourable Heath MacDonald, Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food, announced the launch of the $750-million Controlled Environment Agriculture (CEA) Growth Pathway Program. Funding will be available through two streams:
- CEA Technology Adoption Stream ($650 million): supports producers in adopting, expanding, and modernizing CEA infrastructure and technologies, including automation, robotics, lighting, and digital growing tools.
- Expanding Local Food Production in Rural and Northern Communities Stream ($100 million): supports community-driven CEA solutions that increase local and regional food production, improve access to fresh food, and strengthen food security in rural and northern communities.
The CEA Growth Pathway Program aims to support increased domestic fruit and vegetable production, reduce reliance on imported produce, and contribute to a more resilient and locally responsive food system. The program will support the adoption of CEA technologies and locally driven food production solutions across the country. The approved CEA Growth Pathway Program projects may receive between $100,000 and $10 million in funding from Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada.
Through the National Food Security Strategy, the Government of Canada continues to take action to strengthen Canada's food system from farm to table. Investments include Farm Credit Canada's $1-billion Agri-Food Project Finance Fund, the recently announced $1-billion Food-Link Fund and tax measures that allow for immediate expensing for eligible greenhouse buildings which will help to boost domestic food production and improve food affordability for Canadians. Today's announcement of the CEA Growth Pathway Program is another step toward building a more resilient, sustainable, and secure food system for Canada.
