$1.65 million investment supporting research at Lakehead University Agricultural Research Station
The governments of Canada and Ontario are investing up to $1.65 million over five years to support research programming, knowledge transfer and the operations and management of the Lakehead University Agricultural Research Station (LUARS). This multi-year funding through the Sustainable Canadian Agricultural Partnership (Sustainable CAP) will help improve the viability and yield of crops in Northern Ontario, develop and diversify the agricultural industry, and position it for continued growth.“Supporting agricultural research and innovation is vitally important,” said the Honourable Lawrence MacAulay, federal Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food. “This investment at the Lakehead University Agricultural Research Station underscores our shared commitment to advancing Northern Ontario’s agricultural sector, and will help grow, and diversify, the province’s agricultural industry.”
“This $1.65 million dollar investment will greatly benefit LUARS as it particularly focuses on enhancing the agricultural sector's viability and growth in Northern Ontario. It supports research in critical areas such as soil health, environmental sustainability, and climate change,reflecting our government’s strong commitment to advancing agricultural science and innovation.” Said MP Marcus Powlowski.
The research will focus on areas such as best management practices for Northern agriculture, soil health, environmental sustainability, and climate change, as well as research and knowledge co-developed with Indigenous researchers and communities.
“Agriculture in the North is growing, and the research at LUARS is becoming increasingly important as farmers expand their operations in the region,” said Lisa Thompson, Minister of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs. “By investing in agricultural research in the North, we are working towards the goals of our Grow Ontario Strategy by promoting this province as a leader in agri-food technology and increasing production and consumption of locally grown food.”“I am pleased to see the investment in the Lakehead Agricultural Research Station through the Sustainable Canadian Agricultural Partnership,” said Kevin Holland, MPP for Thunder Bay – Atikokan. “Our local farmers and consumers will benefit from the innovative and best practices developed specifically for Northern Ontario through this funding.”
QUICK FACTS • Supporting continued and targeted investments in science, research and innovation to address key challenges and opportunities in the agriculture and food sector is among the priorities set for Sustainable CAP by the federal-provincial-territorial agricultural ministers in The Guelph Statement. • Lakehead University Agricultural Research Station (LUARS), located in the city of Thunder Bay in Northwestern Ontario, was founded by the Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs in 1991. • Funding for LUARS is being provided through the Agricultural Research Institute of Ontario (ARIO). • ARIO owns 14 research properties across Ontario. Research centres are an important platform for conducting agri-food research, which supports the competitiveness and sustainability of the agriculture and food sector
Gillian Siddall, President, Lakehead University
“ We have many partnerships with the economy, including agriculture, that we are talking about today. Mining is another good example. We have lots of activity between the university and various businesses.”
Kevin Holland,MPP
“ Northernwestern Ontario can play an endless role in increased agricultural activity.The work that is being done here at Lakehead University is enhancing the opportunities in the agricultural sector moving forward. There is potential for the forestry sector to work with the agricultural sector to increase the uses of the land and make it better for growing. It is all about food security. This will also help with the far north communities agricultural activities.”“ The farming economy here in NW Ontario is great. They have been able to enhance their yields as a result of the research that is being done.”
