Ontario’s greenhouse sector receives funding from province

Bowmanville, Ont. – The growing greenhouse sector in Ontario is getting some help from the province to increase its competitiveness.

Through the Greenhouse Competitiveness and Innovation Initiative, the province is providing $19 million to help the sector develop new technologies, encourage investments in greenhouse agriculture and boost productivity.

“Ontario’s greenhouse sector is a major contributor to the provincial economy. We appreciate the government of Ontario’s support and recognition of the need to invest in our future as well as work with our members on challenges facing Ontario’s greenhouse sector,” says Jan VanderHout, the chair of The Ontario Greenhouse Alliance.

“This funding will support the continued growth of our sector and its capacity to create jobs, drive exports and provide a reliable supply of locally grown greenhouse products for Ontario consumers.”

In a statement, the province says Ontario’s greenhouse sector grows by 150 acres per year, with greenhouses currently making up a total 2,876 acres across the province. That represents almost half of the greenhouse sector in Canada.

The greenhouse sector contributes nearly 10 per cent of the province’s agri-food sector jobs and GDP. In fact, last year the sector and its related value chain supported more than 81,000 jobs and $3.2 billion in GDP.

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