Canada & Manitoba invest in Maple Leaf bacon expansion

The Canadian and Manitoba governments are investing $500,000 in an expansion project that is expected to increase bacon production at Maple Leaf Foods’ Winnipeg-based facility by eight million kilograms each year.

The government funding will go toward new processing and packaging equipment for the bacon production line at the Maple Leaf Foods (MLF) plant in Winnipeg. The bacon production line expansion project is valued at more than $5.9 million, and is expected to be completed later this year.

Overall, the expansion is expected to create 34 new permanent, full-time jobs as well as 34 part-time jobs, and is part of a larger $35-million expansion of the plant.

According to an Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada news release, MLF is Canada’s largest value-added protein company, with fresh and prepared meat operations located in Winnipeg and Brandon, Man., as well as in Saskatchewan, Alberta, Ontario and Quebec.

“The meat sector is a great source of pride and prosperity to many Canadians. Part of the federal government’s plan to support the agriculture sector is to be a leader in job creation and innovation. I am pleased to announce this strategic investment that will mean more top-quality Canadian bacon in grocery aisles in Canada and across the world,” says Lawrence MacAulay, Canada’s Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food.

“Maple Leaf has invested more than $1 billion across Canada to build a highly competitive, sustainable, Canadian-headquartered company. We appreciate the support from the Canadian and Manitoba governments, which played a direct role in helping our company to create and sustain high skilled jobs here in Winnipeg and value-added export opportunities globally,” adds Rory McAlpine, senior vice-president, Government and Industry Relations, Maple Leaf Foods.