B.C. to increase local milk production with $25-million factory investment
The British Columbia government is contributing up to $25 million toward the expansion of a milk production plant aimed at boosting the supply of locally sourced food.
The province said the construction expansion to Vitalus Nutrition's plant in Abbotsford, B.C., will begin this summer and will increase local milk production by 50 per cent, to 1.4 billion litres annually.
The project will boost local production for dairy products such as butter, which is currently required to be shipped from Eastern Canada to fill local demand, the government said in a statement.
Premier David Eby told a news conference announcing the project Tuesday that it will also create up to 100 more jobs at the site.
Eby said the pandemic as well as recent climate disasters, including the atmospheric river that swamped southwestern British Columbia in November 2021, impacted supply chains, elevated grocery prices and showed a need to produce more food locally.
“We understand that we still need to ensure that we've got a strong future here because these are challenging times for families and individuals right across the province,” Eby told the conference. “That's why this investment and this support is so important to address food prices, food security, jobs (and) economic growth.”
He said the investment will also create positive ripple effects across the region.
“The true impact of this investment will be across Western Canada, because the expansion of this facility will mean billions of additional dollars of dairy quota for farmers in British Columbia, and other parts of Western Canada, who will be able to create thousands of additional jobs in our province.”
Brenda Bailey, minister of jobs, economic development and innovation, said the milk production plant expansion will also anchor B.C.'s new industrial development blueprint, which aims to focus on growing clean energy and sustainable industries.
“The blueprint will map out the province's work to drive new investment, to create new jobs and seize new opportunities in growing clean energy and sustainable industries right across our province. This is important because clean industries making and using clean energy will improve our quality of life and strengthen B.C.'s diverse economy today and for future generations,” she said.
“By helping companies like Vitalis grow right here at home, we're not only strengthening our food supply chain and boosting our food security, we're also creating opportunities for British Columbians.”
This report by The Canadian Press was first published April 23, 2024.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
BREAKING Foreign meddling 'did not affect' overall federal election results: inquiry report
Foreign interference by China did not affect the overall results of the 2019 and 2021 general elections won by Justin Trudeau's Liberals, a federal commission of inquiry has found.
BREAKING Police arrest 3 in killing of B.C. Sikh activist Hardeep Singh Nijjar
Three people have been arrested and charged in the killing of B.C. Sikh activist Hardeep Singh Nijjar.
Why your airfare may be getting more expensive
Skyrocketing airfare prices are linked to heightened competition and rising food and fuel, according to the CAA.
WATCH LIVE Funeral today for broadcasting legend and voice of 'Hockey Night in Canada' Bob Cole
A funeral is being held today for hockey broadcasting legend Bob Cole in his hometown of St. John's, N.L.
Magnitude 4.8 earthquake recorded west of Vancouver Island
A 4.8-magnitude earthquake was reported west of Vancouver Island Thursday evening.
Who is Hope Hicks, longtime Trump aide who is testifying in N.Y. hush money case?
Hope Hicks, once a longtime trusted aide in Donald Trump’s inner circle, is testifying Friday in the New York hush money trial after being subpoenaed.
TD worst-case scenario more likely after drug money laundering allegations: analyst
TD Bank Group could be hit with more severe penalties than previously expected, says a banking analyst after a report that the investigation it faces in the U.S. is tied to laundering illicit fentanyl profits.
How falling for a stranger she met on a beach led this woman to ditch the U.S. for the French Riviera
Niki Benjamin, from the U.S., had travelled to a paradise island to do some soul searching, and her life ended up going in a very different direction when her dog ran up to a stranger.
Biscuits with possible plastic pieces, metal found in ground pork: Here are the recalls for this week
Here are the latest recalls Canadians should watch out for, according to Health Canada and the Canadian Food Inspection Agency.