Government of Canada invests $750 million in domestic year-round food production to improve access to fruits and vegetables

OTTAWA, ON, Oct. 30, 2026 /CNW/ -- Canada's short growing season limits our ability to produce enough fruits and vegetables to meet year-round demand. That is why, as part of the recently announced $3.2-billion National Food Security Strategy, the Government of Canada is supporting innovation that helps Canadian producers increase productivity, reduce reliance on imports, and provide Canadians with consistent access to fresh, affordable, and high-quality food.

Today, the Honourable Heath MacDonald, Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food, announced the launch of the $750-million Controlled Environment Agriculture (CEA) Growth Pathway Program. Funding will be available through two streams:

• CEA Technology Adoption Stream ($650 million): supports producers in adopting, expanding, and modernizing CEA infrastructure and technologies, including automation, robotics, lighting, and digital growing tools.
• Expanding Local Food Production in Rural and Northern Communities Stream ($100 million): supports community-driven CEA solutions that increase local and regional food production, improve access to fresh food, and strengthen food security in rural and northern communities.

The CEA Growth Pathway Program aims to support increased domestic fruit and vegetable production, reduce reliance on imported produce, and contribute to a more resilient and locally responsive food system. The program will support the adoption of CEA technologies and locally driven food production solutions across the country. The approved CEA Growth Pathway Program projects may receive between $100,000 and $10 million in funding from Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada (AAFC).

Through the National Food Security Strategy, the Government of Canada continues to take action to strengthen Canada's food system from farm to table. Investments include Farm Credit Canada's $1-billion Agri-Food Project Finance Fund, the recently announced $1-billion Food-Link Fund and tax measures that allow for immediate expensing for eligible greenhouse buildings which will help to boost domestic food production and improve food affordability for Canadians. Today's announcement of the CEA Growth Pathway Program is another step toward building a more resilient, sustainable, and secure food system for Canada.

Quote

"Controlled environment agriculture is transforming how food is grown in Canada. By investing in year-round production of fresh fruits and vegetables closer to home, these technologies will strengthen food security, create jobs, and support economic growth in communities across the country. Our government will continue investing in innovative solutions that strengthen our domestic food system and ensure Canadians have access to fresh, high-quality, domestic food for generations to come."

  -    The Honourable Heath MacDonald, Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food

Quick Facts

• On June 11, 2026, Prime Minister Mark Carney launched Canada's first-ever National Food Security Strategy. Backed by $3.2 billion in investments over 10 years, including the $750-million Controlled Environment Agriculture (CEA) Growth Pathway Program, this Strategy will boost domestic food production, and build a stronger, more independent, and more affordable food system for all Canadians.
• Taken together, the initiatives in the National Food Security Strategy, including the recently announced $1-billion Food-Link Fund, will reduce the cost of growing food, streamline supply chains and remove unnecessary costs. It will drive productivity and innovation, and create greater competition across Canada's food system to help lower prices for Canadians.
• The CEA Growth Pathway Program is open to Canadian producers, for-profit and non-profit organizations and Indigenous individuals and communities including First Nation, Inuit or Métis communities and/or government, not-for-profit associations, and other levels of government.
• Eligible organizations are encouraged to submit a Project Summary Form from noon EDT today until December 23, 2026. Applicants whose proposals align with the objectives of the program will be invited to submit a full application.
• Funding under the Technology Adoption Stream may be provided through either non-repayable or repayable contributions, depending on the nature of the project and the expected benefits it generates. Projects funded under the Expanding Local Food Production in Rural and Northern Communities Stream will receive non-repayable contributions.

Associated Links

• Controlled Environment Agriculture Growth Pathway Program
• National Food Security Strategy

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SOURCE Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada

Contacts: For media: Jennica Klassen, Director of Communications, Office of the Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food, [email protected]; Media Relations, Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada Ottawa, Ontario, 613-773-7972, 1-866-345-7972, [email protected]