Canada invests $750 million in controlled environment agriculture

The Government of Canada has launched the $750-million Controlled Environment Agriculture (CEA) Growth Pathway Program. Announced by Agriculture and Agri-Food Minister Heath MacDonald, the initiative is part of a broader $3.2-billion National Food Security Strategy designed to address the country's limited growing season and reduce reliance on food imports.

The funding is divided into two distinct streams. The CEA Technology Adoption Stream will allocate $650 million to assist producers in modernizing infrastructure through technologies such as robotics, automation, lighting, and digital growing tools. The second stream, Expanding Local Food Production in Rural and Northern Communities, provides $100 million for community-driven solutions to improve food access and security in remote regions.

Approved projects may receive between $100,000 and $10 million in funding. This program complements other national food security measures, including the $1-billion Agri-Food Project Finance Fund and the $1-billion Food-Link Fund.