Wynne vows to help agri-food sector
Premier wants to back off food, drink companies by cutting regulatory hurdles
Premier Kathleen Wynne wants her government to get out of the way of food and beverage companies trying to do business in Ontario by cutting red tape and regulatory hurdles.
But Wynne, who also serves as agriculture minister, on Monday told a round table of executives representing more than 25 companies that she will happily intervene to help them boost their businesses.
“When we heard that Target was planning to sell food in its Canadian stores, my ministry set up one-toone meetings with 33 Ontario food and beverage companies, gave them greater opportunities to showcase their product lines to this huge U.S. retailer,” the premier said.
“And as a result 11 companies now have contracts with Target,” she said.
“Sometimes, as I’ve said many times, we just need to get out of your way,” said Wynne, adding the government wants to know when it can be supportive and “remove our presence” in order to help.
The premier made her comments at the Toronto Region Board of Trade in a meeting with members of the industry group, Food and Con- sumer Products of Canada (FCPC). Nancy Croitoru, the FCPC president and CEO, said she was pleased Wynne was recognizing the importance of an agri-food sector that supports 740,000 jobs in Ontario and contributes some $34 billion a year to the provincial economy. “The strength and economic impact of our industry are huge and has been one of the best kept secrets,” said Croitoru. “This initiative is an important piece of advancing our industry in the GTA, Ontario and across the country to grow, create jobs and succeed.” According to the FCPC, Greater Toronto is home to North America’s second largest food and beverage cluster and three-quarters of all agricultural products grown on farms outside the region is processed locally Wynne said she will be talking more about the industry and what the government can do to help at next week annual premier’s award for agri-food innovation excellence summit at Queen’s Park.