Canada`s Economic Action Plan investing in Manitoba Livestock Industry

April 30, 2010

WINKLER, Manitoba - The Government of Canada continues to support farmers and the meat packing and processing sector in Manitoba by helping open new markets for their products. Portage-Lisgar Member of Parliament Candice Hoeppner announced, on behalf of Agriculture Minister Gerry Ritz, a $310,000 investment under Canada's Economic Action Plan's Slaughter Improvement Program for Winkler Meats Ltd.
 
"Our government's investment in Winkler Meats will help this local company increase their processed meat capacity and pursue new product development," said MP Hoeppner. "This award is enabling Winkler Meats to add a new boiler and complete a plant expansion to house new smokehouses. As this company grows, so do opportunities for livestock producers in southern Manitoba, giving farmers viable domestic options for their product."
 
Established in 1964, Winkler Meats Ltd. is a federally-inspected abattoir and processing plant that employs over 40 people. Its brand products are sold across Western Canada in different chain and independent grocery stores, restaurants and at sporting venues. 
 
This federal investment will be used to improve its operations through equipment upgrades and the expansion of its plant facilities. The installation of two new smokehouses and the upgrade of its production line equipment will allow Winkler Meats to continue to focus on opening up new markets for their high-quality products.
 
"Winkler Meats is pleased to be working together with the Federal Government. This investment will allow us to upgrade our plant equipment and expand our facility, ensuring that we remain competitive when processing and marketing our product," said Dickson Gould, President of Winkler Meats Ltd. "We are looking forward to developing new products and expanding our business into new markets."
   
The Government of Canada's $50-million Slaughter Improvement Program, as part of Canada's Economic Action Plan, makes federal loans available to support sound business plans aimed at reducing costs, increasing revenues and improving operations of red meat packing and processing operations in Canada. The 2010 Budget provided an additional $10 million to the program.
 
With more than $20 billion in sales, the red meat industry is Canada's single largest employer in the food industry.