Monday, March 4, 2024

Wine industry gets subsidies

Federal Agriculture Minister Lawrence MacAulay has provided a three-year extension for the Wine Sector Support Program that began in 2022.


He put the value at $177-million when he spoke at a winery Friday in Niagara-on-the-Lake.


"Canada's wine sector creates jobs, drives economic growth, and supports so many communities right across the country," said MacAulay. 


"This extension of the Wine Sector Support Program will provide vitally important support to our wineries as they continue to innovate and adapt to challenges so the sector can stay strong and competitive for years to come."


There are about 850 licenced wineries across Canada.  But there will be none made from British Columbia grapes this year because winter killed the buds.


MacAulay also announced $5.9 million under the AgriScience Program Clusters Component for the Grape and Wine Cluster, and $836,220 under the AgriAssurance program. Those two initiatives are under the Sustainable Canadian Agricultural Partnership.


The Grape and Wine Cluster is designed to help wineries deal with extreme weather conditions caused by climate change, along with pest and disease issues.


The AgriAssurance program provides wineries with clean materials needed to plant virus-free grapevines.