LONDON – POLITICS – Premier Doug Ford, accompanied by Ernie Hardeman, Minister of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs, today announced a $34.5-million investment in Maple Leaf Foods’ modern and innovative chicken processing plant in London over the next five years.
“This is the largest investment in the history of Ontario’s agriculture sector, it demonstrates industry confidence in our growing economy, and it’s another example of how we’re making Ontario open for business,” said Ford. “It’s great to see a company like Maple Leaf investing here in London. This innovative new plant will modernize processing and help make Ontario’s chicken farmers more competitive.”
This announcement comes at Maple Leaf Foods has announced they will be closing the company’s plant in Toronto where approximately 600 employees are represented by Local 1006A of the United Food and Commercial Workers (UFCW). In addition, the Company will close two other plants in St. Marys and Brampton, whose unionized employees are represented by UFCW Local 175.
The new plant will focus on the highest standards for sustainability, food safety and animal welfare, and will raise productivity and help increase demand for more chickens from Ontario’s farmers.
Also in attendance were Monte McNaughton, Minister of Infrastructure; Todd Smith, Minister of Economic Development, Job Creation and Trade; and Jeff Yurek, MPP for Elgin-Middlesex-London and Minister of Transportation.
“It is a pleasure to attend this Maple Leaf Foods announcement of a $660-million poultry facility in this community. I am proud to welcome this great news for Southwestern Ontario,” said Yurek. “This shows that Ontario is open for business. I want to thank Maple Leaf Foods for continuing to invest in our great province and in Elgin-Middlesex-London.”
“Ontario is open for business, and that includes our dynamic food processing sector,” said Hardeman. “Maple Leaf Foods’ new state-of-the-art facility in London will boost production, which will positively impact Ontario’s chicken farmers and meet growing consumer demand for premium poultry products made in Canada.”
QUICK FACTS
- Maple Leaf Foods is investing more than $658 million in its new chicken processing plant in London.
- By employment, Ontario has the third-largest food and beverage processing sector in Canada and the United States, with sales of more than $39.6 billion a year.
- Maple Leaf Foods is an Ontario company, tracing its history back to 1836.
