Ontario is providing support to encourage more Ontarians to choose locally grown flowers and plants for home décor, gardening and celebrations.
Flowers Canada (Ontario) will receive $772,500 from the Rural Economic Development Program to build on its established Rural Marketing Strategy. The strategy aims to:
- Engage and educate consumers about Ontario grown flowers and plants
- Increase demand for locally grown flowers and
- Encourage innovation and growth throughout all parts of the floriculture industry
The province's floriculture industry includes the production of fresh cut flowers, bedding plants like impatiens and geraniums for gardening, potted plants like poinsettias and propagation material consisting of rooted cuttings and seedlings used by greenhouses to grow large flowering plants.
Supporting locally grown plants and flowers is part of the government's economic plan for Ontario. The four-part plan is strengthening Ontario by investing in people's talents and skills, building new public infrastructure like roads and transit, creating a dynamic, supportive environment where business thrives and building a secure savings plan so everyone can afford to retire.
Quick Facts
- Since 2003, Ontario has invested more than $178 million in 549 RED-related projects, generating more than $1.2 billion in local economic activity and creating more than 36,000 jobs.
- Since the program re-launch in 2013, 150 RED projects were approved with a provincial investment of over $21.7 million, generating over $120 million in new economic activity.
- Ontario has increased its annual commitment to the Rural Economic Development (RED) program by $10 million to $14.5 million to help rural Ontario generate investment and create jobs.
- Ontario’s floriculture sector generates $736 million in farm gate sales to the provincial economy and employs over 7,500 people.
- Ontario accounts for approximately 50 per cent of Canada’s annual poinsettia production, with 4.2 million plants sold and an estimated value of $12.6 million.
- Ontario is the third largest producer of greenhouse floricultural products in North America, behind California ($1.02 billion US) and Florida ($922 million US).
- The Ontario greenhouse flower industry is now the seventh largest agricultural sector based on farm cash receipts.
Quotes
“This investment will help increase awareness and demand for locally grown Ontario flowers and plants. Through support from the Rural Economic Development program, our government is strengthening the economy and creating jobs across the province.”
Jeff Leal | Minister of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs
“The sector is poised to meet the Premier’s Challenge to agriculture and to partner with the province to grow markets and create more jobs in rural Ontario. To accomplish these goals it is important that government and the sector work closely together to meet both the opportunities and challenges.”
Dean Shoemaker | Executive Director, Flowers Canada (Ontario)
For more information
Ontario
Bryan Bossin
Minister's Office
416-326-3069
Susin Micallef
Communications Branch
519-826-3145