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News Release - 2008
Government of Canada Invests in
Ontario's Biofuels Industry
PORT LAMBTON, Ontario, April 18, 2008 - The Government of Canada is building on
its commitments to farmers and the environment by investing $619,117 in four
projects that will help Ontario producers participate in the emerging biofuels
industry. This announcement was made today by David Van Kesteren, Member of
Parliament for Chatham-Kent-Essex, on behalf of the Honourable Gerry Ritz,
Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food and Minister for the Canadian Wheat Board.
"I am proud to be here today to announce support for new biofuels projects here
in Port Lambton, as well as Lucan, Seaforth and Parkhill,” said Mr. Van Kesteren.
“Investing in these biofuels projects is a win-win for Canadians. It ensures
that our farmers can yield better profits and be more competitive today, and for
generations to come, and it helps us make a real difference for the
environment.”
These projects include determining the feasibility of using non-traditional
ingredients such as sweet sorghum and agricultural industry by-products to
develop renewable fuels. They aim to boost alternative fuel production and
harness new market opportunities for farmers.
“Biofuel production has generated a great deal of interest in the Canadian
agricultural sector,” said Kim Turnbull, Agricultural Adaptation Council Chair.
“The Agricultural Adaptation Council was pleased to deliver the Biofuels
Opportunities for Producers Initiative for Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada. The
initiative helped provide producers with the information they need to
participate in the biofuels industry.”
These Ontario biofuels projects, funded under the federal government’s Biofuels
Opportunities for Producers Initiative, contribute to the profitability,
competitiveness and overall success of the Canadian agriculture sector while
also determining the potential of alternative fuel production in Ontario.
In addition, to jumpstart the development and production for the next generation
of renewable fuels in Canada, the Government of Canada has provided $500 million
to the NextGen Biofuels FundTM. It will assist farmers and rural communities in
seizing new market opportunities through biofuels and bioproducts initiatives.
To support the development of Canada’s biofuels industry, the federal government
has committed to investing $2.2 billion over nine years.
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For more information, media may contact:
Media Relations
Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada
Ottawa, Ontario
613-759-7972
1-866-345-7972
Margaux Stastny
Press Secretary
Office of the Honourable Gerry Ritz
613-759-1059
Nadine Armstrong
Communications Manager
Agricultural Adaptation Council
519-822-7554
