INGLESIDE, ONTARIO — Canada’s Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food Lawrence MacAulay announced an investment of up to $89 million on Feb. 5 to support the nation’s processors.

“I will always stand up for Canada’s supply management system and the communities it supports,” MacAulay said. “With this funding, dairy, poultry and egg processors will be able to modernize their operations so they can continue providing Canadian families with high-quality products while supporting small, rural communities across the country.”

The investment will support 49 projects through the Supply Management Processing Investment Fund. Dairy, poultry and egg processors will be able to purchase and install new automated equipment and technology through the funds, allowing them to increase production capacity and respond to environmental challenges and labor shortages.

Project examples include milk pasteurizers, ultrafiltration systems, robotics for packaging systems, and new machines for grading, setting and breaking eggs.

Launched in 2022, the Supply Management Processing Investment Fund is a 6-year, $397.5-million program aimed at helping processors of supply-managed commodities adapt to market changes resulting from trade agreements.

The program supports up to 50% of eligible project costs for small- and medium-sized establishments and up to 25% for large organizations of 500 employees or more.

Applications to receive funding are currently open.