For immediate release: 25 July 2006
Food Processing Industry In Brantford Area Gets Boost
McGuinty Government On The Side Of Families In Rural Ontario
BRANTFORD - The McGuinty government is helping the Grand Erie
food-processing industry thrive and grow by investing in a strategy to
develop the highly skilled workforce the industry needs, Dave Levac, MPP
for Brant announced today on behalf of Leona Dombrowsky, Minister of Agriculture,
Food and Rural Affairs.
"The McGuinty government is on the side of families in rural Ontario,"
said Levac. "Through skills and knowledge training, this project
will ensure a healthy, sustainable workforce that will support the growing
food processing sector in the region. This strategy will build opportunities
for students and job seekers, improve the reputation of the food processing
industry, and increase employment opportunities in the region."
The government will contribute $97,612 through the Rural Economic Development
(RED) Program to help the Grand Erie Training and Adjustment Board develop
a workforce development strategy for the industrial food processing industry.
Project partners include the Grand Erie Training and Adjustment Board,
the Grand Erie District School Board, the Brant Haldimand Norfolk Catholic
District School Board, and the Grand Erie Learning Alternatives.
"We are pleased to receive assistance from the provincial government
for our project," said Jill Halyk, executive director of the Grand
Erie Training and Adjustment Board. "This project supports economic
retention, expansion and growth of the food processing industry in Grand
Erie."
Other government initiatives in support of rural Ontario include:
- Recognizing the unique needs of rural schools with $230 million for
school repairs, library books and transition programs
- Helping farmers by providing $800 million over the past three years
for farm income stabilization and support programs, including $125 million
to help grain and oilseed farmers, horticulture farmers and livestock
industry
- Investing over $22 million in rural communities through the Rural
Economic Development Program.
Today's investment was made through the Rural Economic Development (RED)
Program, which invests in projects that support sustainable rural economies
and community partnerships - a key part of the government's plan for rural
Ontario.
Through the RED program, the Ontario government and its rural partners
are building stronger communities that work better for the people who
live in them.
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Contacts:
Christopher Flavelle
Minister's Office
416-326-3072
Brian Cardy
Rural Investments Branch
519-826-3787
