News for Rural Communities

1. Government of Canada collaborating with Ontario farmers on sustainable solutions to environmental issues

   Today, the Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food, the Honourable Marie-Claude Bibeau, kicked-off a roundtable discussion with Ontario agriculture stakeholders by announcing an investment of $4.2 million to launch Living Lab – Ontario in the Lake Erie region.

2. Twenty-four innovators advance to Food Waste Reduction Challenge semi-finals 

   Today, the Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food, the Honourable Marie-Claude Bibeau, announced the 24 semi-finalists for Streams A and B of the $20-million Food Waste Reduction Challenge, an initiative under the Food Policy for Canada.

3. Semi-finalists for Streams A and B of the Food Waste Reduction Challenge

   The $20-million Food Waste Reduction Challenge was launched in November 2020 to accelerate and advance diverse and high-impact solutions to food waste in Canada.

4. Mi’kmaw artisans to build sales, showcase work

   Cape Breton Centre for Craft & Design to help Indigenous arts and craft producers grow their businesse

5. Eastern PEI strengthens tourism industry with new marketing initiatives and experiences 

   With many travel and public health restrictions still in place, the region’s tourism industry is facing a long and challenging road to recovery. That is why the Government of Canada is investing in six tourism groups and businesses in Eastern Prince Edward Island (PEI), to boost tourism initiatives and help the industry prepare for a swift recovery when travel restrictions are lifted.

6. Government of Canada supports tourism development in Eastern PEI

   Today, the Honourable Lawrence MacAulay, Minister of Veterans Affairs and Member of Parliament for Cardigan, and the Honourable Matthew MacKay, PEI Minister of Economic Growth, Tourism and Culture, today announced a combined investment of $743,079 for seven projects to help grow the tourism sector.

7. 2021 Saskatchewan Agriculture Scholarship Recipients Announced

   Today, Canada's Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food, Marie-Claude Bibeau and Saskatchewan Agriculture Minister David Marit awarded scholarships to four Saskatchewan students pursing an agriculture-related education.

8. Biographical notes - Maryse Dubé

   Maryse Dubé completed her LL.B. at Laval University in 1996 and was admitted to the Barreau du Québec in 1997. She works as a lawyer at Sylvestre & Associés and has been a partner with the firm since 2004. Her areas of practice include civil law, business law, corporate law and agri-food law

9. Minister Bibeau announces reappointment to the Farm Products Council of Canada

   Today, the Honourable Marie-Claude Bibeau, Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food, announced the reappointment of Maryse Dubé to the Farm Products Council of Canada (FPCC) for a four-year term, effective April 30, 2021.

10. Minister Bibeau launches program to create 2,000 youth jobs in the agriculture sector

    Today, the Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food, the Honourable Marie-Claude Bibeau, and the Member of Parliament for Glengarry–Prescott–Russell, Francis Drouin, hosted a virtual event to announce an investment of up to $21.4 million to enhance the Youth Employment and Skills Program (YESP) and fund about 2,000 jobs for youth in the agriculture sector.

11. Food Centre Expansion Will Support Saskatchewan's Value-Added Agriculture Sector

    The Governments of Canada and Saskatchewan are pleased to announce a $2.3 million investment into the expansion of the Agri-Food Innovation Centre. This funding is part of the Canadian Agricultural Partnership.

12. Government of Canada continues unprecedented investments for economic recovery in Atlantic Canada

    Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency to continue delivering financial support to businesses impacted by COVID-19.

13. Governments Investing in Meat Processors Capacity in Ontario

    The governments of Canada and Ontario are investing more than $7 million to quickly increase production and efficiency in meat processing plants across the province. This initiative will help to address supply chain disruptions through the purchase and installation of equipment, such as coolers and freezers, and their associated costs.

14. Helping Seniors in the Montérégie

    Today, the Honourable Marie-Claude Bibeau, Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food, and the Member of Parliament for Châteauguay—Lacolle, Brenda Shanahan held a roundtable meeting with many seniors groups from across the Montérégie to discuss Budget 2021: A Recovery Plan for Jobs, Growth, and Resilience and the Government of Canada’s proposed investment of $90 million over three years to launch the Age Well at Home initiative.

15. Minister Ng highlights Budget 2021 investments in small businesses and entrepreneurs

    Budget 2021 is the Government of Canada’s plan to finish the fight against COVID-19 and ensure a robust economic recovery that is sustainable and inclusive of all Canadians.

16. $9.5 million to provide high-speed Internet access to more than 1,000 households in the agglomeration of La Tuque by September 2022

    Thanks to a $9.5-million joint investment made as part of Canada–Quebec Operation High Speed, 1,020 households in the Mauricie region will have access to high-speed Internet services by September 2022.

17. Minister Ng highlights Budget 2021 investments in small businesses and entrepreneurs

    “This is the time to lean in and build back a more innovative, inclusive and sustainable future.

18. Governments of Quebec and Canada grant additional financial support of $11 million to Agri-food Export Group Quebec-Canada

    Quebec’s Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, André Lamontagne, and the Federal Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food, Marie-Claude Bibeau, announced an additional grant of up of up to $3 million for the 2020-2021 fiscal year and a maximum grant of $8 million for the 2021-2022 to 2023-2024 fiscal years. Of this amount, $4 million will be provided under the Canadian Agricultural Partnership.

19. Canada and Ontario invest over $44 M in improved culture, recreation, and green infrastructure in partnership with 15 communities across Ontario

    Today, the Honourable Maryam Monsef, Federal Minister for Women and Gender Equality and Rural Economic Development, and Member of Parliament for Peterborough—Kawartha, on behalf of the Honourable Catherine McKenna, Federal Minister of Infrastructure and Communities; the Honourable Laurie Scott, Ontario’s Minister of Infrastructure and Member of Provincial Parliament for Haliburton-Kawartha Lakes-Brock; Jim McDonell, Parliamentary Assistant to Ontario’s Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing and Member of Provincial Parliament for Stormont—Dundas—South Glengarry ; and His Worship John Grant, Mayor of the Township of Brock, announced joint funding for 20 green, recreation, and community infrastructure projects in 15 communities across Ontario.

20. Backgrounder: Canada and Ontario invest over $44 M in improved culture, recreation, and green infrastructure in partnership with 15 communities across Ontario

    Joint federal, provincial, and recipient funding through the Investing in Canada plan will support 20 infrastructure projects in 15 Ontario communities.

21. Minister Bibeau and MPs Brière and Bessette highlight Budget 2021 investments to help end gender-based violence

    Budget 2021 is the Government of Canada’s plan to finish the fight against COVID-19 and ensure a robust economic recovery that is inclusive of all Canadians.

22. Minister Ng highlights Budget 2021 investments in clean technology

    Budget 2021 is the Government of Canada’s plan to finish the fight against COVID-19 and ensure a robust economic recovery that is sustainable and inclusive of all Canadians.

23. Minister Bibeau and MP Duguid highlight child care investments in Budget 2021

    Budget 2021 is the Government of Canada’s plan to finish the fight against COVID-19 and ensure a robust economic recovery that is inclusive of all Canadians.

24. Government of Canada invests in the Vaccine and Infectious Disease Organization

    The Government of Canada has long supported the University of Saskatchewan’s Vaccine and Infectious Disease Organization’s (VIDO) cutting-edge work in the discovery and development of vaccines for some of the world’s most infectious diseases.

25. Government of Canada, Government of Northwest Territories and Tłı̨chǫ Government invest to bring high-speed Internet to 152 homes in Whatì

    The COVID-19 pandemic has highlighted how much we rely on our connections. Now more than ever, Canadians across the country need access to reliable high-speed Internet as many of us are working, learning, and staying in touch with friends and family from home.

26. Minister Bibeau announces reappointment to the Canadian Dairy Commission

    Today, the Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food, the Honourable Marie-Claude Bibeau, announced the reappointment of Serge Riendeau as Chief Executive Officer of the Canadian Dairy Commission (CDC) for a one year-term, effective May 14, 2021.

27. Biography - Serge Riendeau

    Serge Riendeau has over 40 years of experience in the Canadian dairy industry. He has been the co-owner of Riendeau et Gendron Inc., a 1000 acre farm with about 500 dairy cattle, since 1976.

28. Government of Canada announces support for Prince Edward Island hog producers

    Hog producers in Prince Edward Island (PEI) have been impacted by COVID-19 outbreaks and disease control measures at processing plants, and many producers are being forced to keep hogs on-farm beyond their standard lifecycle. This has resulted in extraordinary feed and maintenance costs which have put a financial strain on their operations.

29. Governments of Canada and Northwest Territories invest to bring high-speed Internet to 152 homes in the North Slave region

    The COVID-19 pandemic has highlighted how much we rely on our connections. Now more than ever, Canadians across the country need access to reliable high-speed Internet as many of us are working, learning, and staying in touch with friends and family from home.

30. Statement from Minister Champagne regarding the CRTC Wireless Framework decision

    The Honourable François-Philippe Champagne, Minister of Innovation, Science and Industry, made the following statement:

31. The Government of Canada and the Government of Quebec are providing financial assistance to livestock producers affected by the slowdown of slaughterhouses

    The Federal Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food, Marie-Claude Bibeau, and Quebec’s Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, André Lamontagne, announced the creation of the Canada-Quebec Livestock Assistance Initiative, $21.8 million in financial assistance intended to mitigate the consequences of COVID-19 in 2020-2021.

32. Government of Canada investment in two initiatives helping the fish and seafood sector in Prince Edward Island remain strong

    The workforce of Canada’s fish and seafood processing sector is an economic driver in coastal and rural communities, and is vital to the national food supply chain. The sector faced immense challenges due to COVID-19, and the Government of Canada worked quickly to ensure it had the support it needed during this unprecedented time.

33. Minister Vandal to announce support for high-speed Internet in the Northwest Territories

    The Honourable Dan Vandal, Minister of Northern Affairs, on behalf of the Honourable Maryam Monsef, Minister for Women and Gender Equality and Rural Economic Development, along with Michael McLeod, Member of Parliament for Northwest Territories, will announce federal investments to improve high-speed Internet access in the Northwest Territories.

34. The Sunset Community expands facility and employment services

    Additional space will enable Pugwash social enterprise to create more vocational opportunities for adults with disabilities

35. Media advisory - Stephenville, Newfoundland and Labrador

    Members of the media are invited to an important virtual announcement regarding important infrastructure upgrades with Gudie Hutchings, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister for Women and Gender Equality and Rural Economic Development and Member of Parliament for Long Range Mountains, on behalf of the Honourable Maryam Monsef, Minister for Women and Gender Equality and Rural Economic Development and the Honourable Catherine McKenna, Minister of Infrastructure and Communities; and the Honourable Elvis Loveless, Minister of Transportation and Infrastructure.

36. Compensation Programs for Chicken, Turkey and Egg Producers

    The Poultry and Egg On-Farm Investment Program and Market Development Program for Turkey and Chicken are delivering on the Government of Canada’s commitment to provide full and fair compensation to supply-managed sectors for market access concessions made under the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP).

37. Close to $29M to provide high-speed Internet access to 2,632 households in the Bas-Saint-Laurent region by September 2022

    Thanks to a joint investment of $28.9M made as part of Canada–Quebec Operation High Speed, 2,632 households in the Bas-Saint-Laurent region will have access to Bell high-speed Internet services by September 2022.

38. Minister Bibeau announces new programs that deliver full and fair compensation for chicken, turkey and egg farmers

    Today, the Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food, the Honourable Marie-Claude Bibeau, announced details of two new programs designed to help drive innovation and market development for Canada’s 4,800 chicken, turkey and egg farmers

39. $22.7M to provide high-speed Internet access to close to 3,000 households in the Memphrémagog RCM by September 2022

    Thanks to a joint investment of $22.7M made as part of Canada–Quebec Operation High Speed, close to 3,000 households in the Memphremagog region will have access to Cogeco high-speed Internet services by September 2022. Marie-Claude Bibeau, Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food and Member of Parliament for Compton—Stanstead;

40. Minister Bibeau to announce details of new programs to support poultry and egg farmers

    The Honourable Marie-Claude Bibeau, Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food, will announce details of two new programs that deliver full and fair compensation for Canada's chicken, turkey, and egg farmers.

41. Governments of Canada and Nova Scotia invest $733,000 in accessible sports infrastructure that will benefit all Cape Breton residents

    Today, Mike Kelloway, Member of Parliament for Cape Breton-Canso, on behalf of the Honourable Maryam Monsef, Minister for Women and Gender Equality and Rural Economic Development, the Honourable Geoff MacLellan, Minister of Infrastructure and Housing, the Honourable Derek Mombourquette, Minister of Education and Early Childhood Development, and Her Worship Amanda McDougall, Mayor of the Cape Breton Regional Municipality, announced funding for Phase I of the redevelopment of Hawks Dream Field, in Dominion, into a fully accessible recreation space.

42. Backgrounder: Canada and Ontario invest in improved recreation infrastructure in Peterborough City and County

    Joint federal, provincial, and recipient funding through the Investing in Canada plan will support four community and recreational infrastructure projects in Peterborough County.

43. Government of Canada investing over $6 million to help improve safety of agri-food workers in southwestern Ontario

    Throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, Canadian food producers and processors have stepped up to deliver quality food for Canadians and people around the world. From the outset, the Government of Canada has helped food processors invest in safety measures and maintain their capacity to keep up with demand.

44. UPDATE - Media Advisory - Cape Breton, Nova Scotia

    Members of the media are invited to attend an important sports infrastructure announcement with Mike Kelloway, Member of Parliament for Cape Breton-Canso, on behalf of the Honourable Maryam Monsef, Minister for Women and Gender Equality and Rural Economic Development; the Honourable Geoff MacLellan, Minister of Infrastructure and Housing, on behalf of the Honourable Suzanne Lohnes-Croft, Minister of Communities, Culture and Heritage, the Honourable Derek Mombourquette, Minister of Education and Early Childhood Development, and Her Worship Amanda McDougall, Mayor of the Cape Breton Regional Municipality.

45. Registration closed and payments finalizing for second round of dairy compensation

    Dairy farmers provide Canadians with a stable supply of high-quality products, and are an essential part of the country’s rural landscape. Supporting them as they adapt to new market realities and consumer demands is vital to ensuring the sector remains well positioned for future growth.

46. Government of Canada invests to bring high-speed Internet to 144 more households in Lemonville and Locust Hill

    The COVID-19 pandemic has highlighted how much we rely on our connections. Now more than ever, Canadians across the country need access to reliable high-speed Internet as many of us are working, learning, and staying in touch with friends and family from home.

47. Government of Canada supports Alberta agri-food sector with investment in BioNeutra

    The agriculture and agri-foods sectors support quality jobs for Canadians and are of vital importance to the Canadian economy. That is why today, the Honourable Jim Carr, Special Representative for the Prairies, announced more than $2.94 million to help Alberta-based BioNeutra to double its manufacturing capacity and better compete in global markets.

48. Database: Emergency Processing Fund projects in Ontario

    The Emergency Processing Fund (EPF) provides funding to help companies implement changes to safeguard the health and safety of workers and their families due to the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic. On April 7, 2021, Agriculture and Agri-food Canada highlighted over $12 million in funding through the program to improve worker safety and increase capacity of Ontario meat processing.

49. Government of Canada investing over $12 million to improve worker safety and increase capacity of Ontario meat processing

    The COVID-19 pandemic has caused significant disruptions to Canada’s food system, while demonstrating the need for more diversified food processing capacity. As a result, Canadian livestock producers and meat processors have taken on unexpected and exceptional activities to manage health and safety during the pandemic. The Government of Canada is helping meat processors invest in safety measures to protect their workers and in facility improvements that strengthen Canada’s food supply.

50. Parliamentary Secretary Neil Ellis to highlight support to meat processors in Ontario

    Neil Ellis, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food, and Tim Louis, Member of Parliament for Kitchener-Conestoga, will virtually highlight support to meat processing companies across Ontario, to help in their efforts to keep employees safe and our food system strong.