Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada has announced up to $177 million over the next three years to help the Canadian wine sector improve its competitiveness. Challenges include input price increases, labour shortages, climate limitations and severe weather events.

Originally launched in July 2022, the Wine Sector Support Program provides financial support to help licensed Canadian wineries adapt to ongoing and emerging challenges.  The additional funding brings the Government of Canada's total investment through the program to more than $343 million. 

In addition to this funding, Minister Lawrence MacAulay announced two initiatives under the Sustainable Canadian Agricultural Partnership, both led by the Canadian Grapevine Certification Network, to advance science and research. This includes up to $5.9 million under the AgriScience Program – Clusters Component for the Grape and Wine Cluster, as well as up to $836,220 under the AgriAssurance Program.  

The overall objective of the Grape and Wine Cluster is to support research to help the sector adapt to the increasingly frequent extreme weather events exacerbated by climate change as well as new pest and disease problems, both threats to the sustainability and resiliency of the Canadian grape and wine sector.

Funding under the AgriAssurance Program will support continued work to provide Canadian grape growers and wineries with the clean materials needed to plant certified virus-free grapevines in their vineyards, which will ensure the long-term success of the sector.  

Source:  Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada March 1, 2024 news release