Ottawa invests $2.26M in halal beef processing expansion in P.E.I.
The federal government announced on Friday that it is investing up to $2.26 million to expand halal beef processing and packaging capacity at a facility in Prince Edward Island.
The federal government announced on Friday that it is investing up to $2.26 million to expand halal beef processing and packaging capacity at a facility in Prince Edward Island.
Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada said on Friday that the funding will be given to Atlantic Beef Products Inc. as part of the $25 million Kosher and Halal Investment Program. This program supports federally regulated beef and veal processors adopting new technologies to increase efficiency and output.
The investment, totalling $2,256,786, was announced by Heath MacDonald at the company’s plant in Albany.
According to the department, the funding will support the installation of advanced processing and packaging technologies aimed at increasing meat yield and expanding halal-certified product options for Canadian retailers.
MacDonald said the investment is intended to help processors meet evolving consumer demand while strengthening domestic food production.
“The Canadian beef industry is an important contributor to the economy of Prince Edward Island and the Atlantic region,” he said in a statement. “By supporting innovation and efficiency at Atlantic Beef Products Inc., our government is helping to grow market opportunities for local producers and meet the evolving preferences of consumers.”
The project includes upgrading equipment to recover more meat and reduce food waste, adding new packaging technology for retail-ready halal products, and installing in-line inspection systems to improve safety and quality control, the department said.
Atlantic Beef Products is one of the first recipients of funding under the Kosher and Halal Investment Program. The company is the only federally registered beef processing plant east of Quebec and processes up to 750 cattle per week.
The government said the funding aligns with its Buy Canadian policy, which prioritizes domestic suppliers and production in federal procurement and aims to strengthen Canada’s food system.
In November of last year, Quebec banned Kosher and Halal foods from being served by public institutions.
"Investment," my BFRE. This is a subsidy, plain and simple. And why, O why should we have to pay for the religiously-based food scruples of a few? Let them set up their own plants and pay out of their own pockets.
Beef for votes. Guess they will need more temporary international employees as well!