Wine Growers Canada (WGC), the national voice of the Canadian wine industry, welcomes the winery support in the 2021 Federal Budget and will continue to work with Agriculture Canada on the execution and extension of the support program.
Budget 2021 proposes to provide $101 million over two years, starting in 2022-23, to Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada, to implement a program for the wine sector that will support wineries in adapting to ongoing and emerging challenges, in line with Canada’s trade obligations. WGC has recommended that the federal government implement its Wine Grower Quality Enhancement Program to provide foundational sustainability to invest in our future and compete on a fair equitable basis with other wine regions globally. The WGC program has the support of all wine growers across Canada, that will create thousand of jobs and a positive return on investment for the Canadian economy.
WGC worked with wineries from across Canada; together with senior federal officials in developing this trade legal program to support efficiency, productivity and competitiveness. This will support wine growers across Canada as they deal with the impacts of the pandemic and the pending repeal of the excise duty exemption program, which was successful in supporting investment in more than 400 grape wineries, stimulating 40 million litres of new wine production, and contributing almost $5 billion annually to the national economy.
“Today’s Budget announcement is a welcomed investment in the future success of the Canadian wine industry and Canada’s highest value-added agri-food beverage. The new program will support every winery across Canada,” said President & CEO of Wine Growers Canada, Dan Paszkowski.
“Over the past year, WGC has worked tirelessly with federal officials, wine riding MPs, Agriculture Minister Bibeau and International Trade Minister Ng to develop a program that is not only trade legal but will support regional jobs and growth for the benefit of every winery in Canada,” added Paszkowski.
“As Chair of WGC, I am thankful that the federal government listened to the concerns of the industry and delivered on a program that will help us grow back better following years of uncertainty. Every day, Canadian wineries proudly produce some of the best wines in the world. Ministers Freeland, Bibeau and Ng have recognized our potential and delivered on their program promise,” said Kelly Brown, WGC Chair and Executive Vice President, Arterra Wines Canada.
“Today’s federal budget is a win for the Nova Scotia wine industry. The winery support program will provide a tremendous lift to our growing industry. Wine Growers Nova Scotia have many regional MPs to thank for helping to get this program into Budget 2021. This support program has the potential for us to build back better for generations to come,” Carl Sparkes, Proprietor, Devonian Coast Wineries.
“The winery support program in Budget 2021 will allow wineries in BC to come out of this pandemic recovery strong. The program provides certainty for future investments in many wine businesses and the rural communities we help to support,” Tony Stewart, CEO of Quails’ Gate Estate Winery.
About Wine Growers Canada
Wine Growers Canada (WGC), the national voice for grape wineries across Canada, represents the national wine industry at the federal and international levels. WGC is dedicated to improving the business success and return on investment for individual wineries, while assuring the continued growth and prosperity of the entire Canadian grape wine industry.
@WineGrowersCA
Media Contacts
Asha Hingorani
Director of Government and Public Affairs
Wine Growers Canada
613-462-7080