MP Kody Blois highlights $177-million extension to the Wine Sector Support Program
WOLFVILLE, NS, March 1, 2024 /CNW/ - Today, during a visit to Lightfoot & Wolfville Vineyards in Wolfville, Nova Scotia, Kody Blois, Member of Parliament for Kings-Hants and Chair of the House of Commons Agriculture and Agri-Food Committee, highlighted an extension to the Wine Sector Support Program. With an investment of up to $177 million over the next three years, the program will continue to help the Canadian wine sector improve its competitiveness and adapt to the challenges it faces. This follows an announcement made by the Honourable Lawrence MacAulay, Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food, at Trius Winery in Niagara-on-the-Lake, Ontario, earlier today.
Nova Scotia has a long and rich tradition of growing grapes for wine and its reputation as a wine-growing region continues to flourish with award-winning labels and expanding production. According to the most recent statistics from the Wine Growers of Nova Scotia, the Nova Scotia wine industry has an economic impact of more than $245 million annually and supports more than 1,100 jobs. The wine industry also provides a big boost to tourism, attracting well over 150,000 visitors to the province each year.
While the Canadian wine industry has seen considerable growth over the past several years, it continues to face a range of pressures impacting its financial resilience and competitiveness, including input price increases, labour shortages, climate limitations and severe weather events.
Originally launched in July 2022, the Wine Sector Support Program provides financial support to help licensed Canadian wineries adapt to ongoing and emerging challenges. This new funding will provide additional support to the wine sector, incenting investments that will help to capitalize on strengths and position it for long-term success. The additional funding brings the Government of Canada's total investment through the program to over $343 million.
The national, regional and local economic contribution of Canada's wine sector has a far reach ? from grape growing, to retail sales, to tourism ? while also helping the agricultural sector grow and diversify. The Government of Canada will continue to work with the wine industry to strengthen the sector and keep it competitive.
"Canada's wine sector creates jobs, drives economic growth, and supports so many communities right across the country. 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."
- The Honourable Lawrence MacAulay, Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food
"Nova Scotia's wine industry forms an important underpinning of our rural economy. Our industry is producing world class wines, while employing over 1,100 Nova Scotians directly, and contributing hundreds of millions to the provincial economy. Today's investment is a direct result of our government's belief in this industry and everything it brings to our communities."
- Kody Blois, Member of Parliament for Kings-Hants and Chair of the House of Commons Agriculture and Agri-Food Committee
"The Grape Growers Association of Nova Scotia greatly appreciates today's announcement from the federal government. Bringing stability and the ability to compete on a more level playing field to our sector will allow both wineries and independent growers to invest in our vineyards to make them more sustainable and resilient. We are very pleased to see our federal government announce a fair and effective program to make our industry stronger."
- Steve Ells, President of the Grape Growers Association of Nova Scotia
"The Nova Scotia farm wine industry contributes about $245 million to the local economy annually. The introduction of the Wine Sector Support Program in 2022 marked a significant milestone, and the recent extension of this program, secured through dedicated advocacy and the support of the federal government, is critical to the industry's continued success. The Nova Scotia farm wine industry expresses profound appreciation for the federal government's recognition of its efforts, highlighting the significance of the Nova Scotia farm wine industry's role in the economy and potential for growth."
- Karl Coutinho, Board Chair, Wine Growers of Nova Scotia
- In 2022, farm cash receipts for grapes in Nova Scotia were valued at $4.5 million.
- Since July 2022, 17 wineries in Nova Scotia have received financial support through the Wine Sector Support Program.
- With this extension, the Wine Sector Support Program will continue to provide non-repayable grants based on wineries' production of bulk wine fermented in Canada from domestic and/or imported primary agricultural products.
- Eligible recipient payments are determined based on the eligible litres of wine produced. To be eligible, wine must be produced in Canada using fermented domestic and/or imported primary agricultural products in the previous fiscal year from the one in which a grant payment is approved.
- The application intake period for 2024-2025 will open on April 8, 2024 and close on May 24, 2024. Eligible wineries must submit an application within the intake window each year to be considered for funding for that fiscal year.
- The Wine Sector Support Program will end on March 31, 2027.
- In addition to this funding, Minister MacAulay also announced today two initiatives under the Sustainable Canadian Agricultural Partnership, both led by the Canadian Grapevine Certification Network, to advance science and research and increase the competitiveness of the sector. This includes up to $5.9 million under the AgriScience Program ? Clusters Component for the Grape and Wine Cluster, as well as up to $836,220 under the AgriAssurance Program.
- Under the new Sustainable Canadian Agricultural Partnership, the wine sector is eligible to apply for support through the federally-delivered programs, as well as the provincially-delivered cost-shared programs. Grape and wine producers also have access to the Business Risk Management (BRM) suite of programs.
- Wine Sector Support Program
- Sustainable Canadian Agricultural Partnership
- Business Risk Management Programs
- Agriculture Programs and Services
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