Government of Canada invests more than $11 million to advance innovation and growth in Canada’s wine sector

Canada’s wine sector is growing, with the industry generating revenues of $1.2 billion in 2016 and employing over 5,600 people. Wine makers and grape growers across the country are working hard to ensure their businesses are able to thrive in Canada’s climate, and innovate as the industry grows.

Today (July 10), Stephen Fuhr, Member of parliament for Kelowna Lake Country, spoke at the Canadian Vintners Association’s annual general meeting, where he reaffirmed the Government of Canada’s support for the wine and grape sector through three key investments. Lawrence MacAulay, Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food, previously announced these investments on July 4, 2018, in Niagara on the Lake, Ontario.

MP Fuhr highlighted the Government of Canada’s investment of up to $8.4 million to the Canadian Grapevine Certification Network (CGCN) under the Canadian Agricultural Partnership, AgriScience Clusters. This is the first time grape and wine producing organizations from across the country have come together, as the CGCN, to develop a national research cluster devoted to advancing the Canadian grape and wine industry.

“I am pleased to be with the Canadian Vintners Association and the BC Wine Institute today to highlight the collaborative work by the Government of Canada, provinces and industry to support grape growers and wine producers. This funding will contribute to sustainable growth in the wine and grape sector in British Columbia, and bring economic stability to grape growers and wine producers.”

- Stephen Fuhr, Member of Parliament for Kelowna—Lake Country

This research investment, which includes up to an additional $3.7 million from industry contributions, will help growers better protect their crops, test new vine varieties, and analyse growing practices in Canadian vineyards that are better for the environment.

MP Fuhr also congratulated the Canadian Vintners Association on completing a $1.5 million project under Growing Forward 2, AgriMarketing program. This funding helped the Canadian wine industry enhance Canada’s international reputation as a top cool climate wine producer through market development and trade advocacy activities, and helped launch the Wines of Canada brand.

In addition, MP Fuhr underscored an additional investment of $1.5 million over three years to the Canadian Vintner’s Association (CVA) under the Canadian Agricultural Partnership, AgriMarketing program. The funding will assist the industry in activities such as participation in trade shows, missions, and promotions in traditional markets, such as the United States, the United Kingdom, and China, as well as CVA’s participation at international trade advocacy events.

MP Fuhr’s participation at this event builds on Minister MacAulay’s cross country ‘Growing Canadian Agriculture’ tour, which started in Quebec two weeks ago and ends in B.C. on July 17. Minister MacAulay is meeting with farmers, processors and industry leaders, as well as participating in rural agricultural events, to highlight strategic federal agricultural investments and programs – including those recently launched under the Canadian Agricultural Partnership – and how they will help to build an even stronger and more innovative sector for Canada.

“I’m thrilled to have launched Canada’s first-ever grape and wine research cluster. Our domestic grape and wine sector has a positive impact on Canada’s economy, and it continues to grow. This cluster will help sustain the success of Canadian wines by supporting research that improves wine quality and vineyard environmental management practices, addresses challenges faced by the sector, and builds upon Canada’s international reputation as a top cool-climate wine producer.”

- Lawrence MacAulay, Minister of Agriculture and Agri Food

“This is the first time the four grape growing Provinces have joined forces to form the Canadian Grape and Wine Science Cluster. Research plays an important role in the continuous enhancement of the quality of grapes and wine and the reduction of the environmental foot print of the entire production cycle. We are very grateful for the investment that the Government of Canada and Minister MacAulay provide toward the ongoing success of the Canadian grape and wine sector.”

- Hans Buchler, Chair, Canadian Grapevine Certification Network

“On behalf of the Canadian Wine Industry this contribution of 1.5 million dollars over three years from Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada is significant in helping to build the Canadian brand for our exceptional Canadian wines. From British Columbia, Ontario, Quebec, to Nova Scotia, Canadian vintners are growing and making wines that are competing and winning in international markets.”

- Dan Paszkowski, Present & Chief Executive Officer of the Canadian Vintners Association

Quick Facts

• Canada’s wine industry generated revenues of $1.2 billion and employed over 5,600 people. Exports of wine in 2016 equalled $133.6 million.

• The Canadian Agricultural Partnership is a five-year, $3 billion investment by federal, provincial and territorial governments to strengthen the agriculture and agri-food sector. The Partnership builds on Growing Forward 2, the previous five-year agreement that ended on March 31, 2018.

• The Partnership includes programs and activities to enhance the competitiveness of the sector through research, science and innovation. Through the AgriScience Program, a five-year, up to up to $338 million initiative, the government is supporting leading edge discovery and applied science, and innovation driven by industry research priorities.