Canada puts $750 million into year-round greenhouse growing to raise fruit and vegetable output and cut import reliance

The federal government announced on October 30 a $750-million Controlled Environment Agriculture (CEA) Growth Pathway Program to fund greenhouses, vertical farms and other facilities that can produce year-round, helping Canadian producers raise fruit and vegetable output and reduce reliance on imports. Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food Heath MacDonald announced the program in Ottawa.

Two funding streams

The program has two streams. The $650-million CEA Technology Adoption Stream supports producers in adopting, expanding and modernizing CEA infrastructure and technologies, including automation, robotics, lighting and digital growing tools. The $100-million Expanding Local Food Production in Rural and Northern Communities Stream supports community-driven CEA solutions that increase local food production, improve access to fresh food and strengthen food security in rural and northern communities. Approved projects may receive between $100,000 and $10 million.

Application window

Eligible applicants include Canadian producers, for-profit and non-profit organizations, Indigenous individuals and communities, and other levels of government and non-profit associations. Organizations can submit a Project Summary Form from noon EDT on October 30 until December 23, 2026.

Background

Canada's short growing season limits how much fruit and vegetables domestic open-field production can supply year-round, which is the direct reason for the program. It is part of the recently announced $3.2-billion National Food Security Strategy; other investments under the strategy include Farm Credit Canada's $1-billion Agri-Food Project Finance Fund and the recently announced $1-billion Food-Link Fund. The government says the program aims to increase domestic fruit and vegetable production, reduce reliance on imported produce and build a more resilient, locally responsive food system.

This report is compiled from Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada's official announcement and is not a verbatim translation.