Agriculture Minister Gerry Ritz and Member of Parliament Gary Schellenberger (Perth-Wellington) announced an investment of nearly $4.5 million to help Great Lakes Specialty Meats of Canada Inc. improve and expand its facility allowing the company to pursue new niche markets.

"Canadian farmers have a great product to sell and there is growing demand for it worldwide," said Minister Ritz. "That is why our Government continues to make key investments to drive innovation that will grow new opportunities for our producers and packers."

This funding will be used by Great Lakes Specialty Meats of Canada Inc. to improve plant capabilities to produce high quality value added products using modern and efficient equipment and technology such as the leading traceability systems for improved food safety. These improvements will position Great Lakes Specialty Meats of Canada Inc. to increase sales of its high quality Canadian pork products and be competitive in the marketplace. This will create more jobs in the Mitchell area and keep hog processing in Southern Ontario.

"By providing resources to allow Great Lakes Specialty Meats of Canada Inc. to fill niche demands, the farmers of Perth-Wellington and surrounding region will benefit from expanded markets," said MP Schellenberger. "Investing in a stronger meat packing and processing sector in Canada benefits the entire value chain."

"We commend the Government of Canada for recognizing the importance of improving processing capabilities in Canada through the Slaughter Improvement Programme," said David Schwartz, President of Great Lakes Specialty Meats of Canada Inc. "Improving and expanding the production capabilities at Great Lakes Specialty Meats will help us supply the increasing demand for value added pork products - domestically and internationally - and will ultimately mean more jobs for people in the Mitchell area."

The Government of Canada's $50-million Slaughter Improvement Programme, 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 for the programme.