Ontario government marks Canada's Ag Day with $713 million commitment to University of Guelph

The Ontario government has made a 10-year, $713 million commitment to fund agriculture research at the University of Guelph.

Jeff Leal, Ontario’s Minister of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs, was joined by University of Guelph President Dr. Franco Vaccarino, in Guelph today to sign the agreement and mark Canada’s Agriculture Day.

“We look forward to continuing to work with the University of Guelph to support growth and innovation in the Ontario agri-food sector. The research made possible through our partnership will help ensure the sector and our rural communities remain vibrant while positioning our province as a global leader in research and innovation,” noted Leal.

The agreement marks the latest chapter in the 125 year history of collaboration between the Ontario government and the University of Guelph’s agriculture program — a partnership that “has helped position Ontario and Guelph as the epicentre of agricultural research and innovation in Canada,” said Vaccarino.

Just underway: province invests $713 million into #ag and #food research at University of #Guelph. #CdnAgDay #ontag #uofg @uofg pic.twitter.com/ALPLlV0zlY

— Owen Roberts (@TheUrbanCowboy) February 13, 2018

Leal also announced that Ontario has signed on to the Canadian Agricultural Partnership with the federal government on Tuesday. CAP is the new five-year agricultural policy framework that replaces Growing Forward 2 as of April 1, 2018.

Kicking off #CdnAgDay by announcing our partnership with the federal gov’t, #CdnAgPartnership This new 5 yr agreement will help prepare #OntAg for the future. https://t.co/hcYg6AhtOu pic.twitter.com/9aKNKoFDWj

— Jeff Leal (@JeffLeal_MPP) February 13, 2018