CAMBRIDGE, ONTARIO – Jobs and growth for the meat packing and processing sector in Ontario are being attributed to Canada's Economic Action plan. An investment of $1.6 million is being made to help Cambridge Meat Packers from the Slaughter Improvement Program, announced Gary Goodyear, Minister of State (Science and Technology) and Member of Parliament (Cambridge).

"Canada's Economic Action Plan continues to help meat packers and processors keep their competitive edge in the marketplace," Mr. Goodyear said. "A strong, competitive meat packing and processing sector means more jobs and a stronger economy."

The loan will allow Cambridge Meat Packers to construct a water-treatment facility and finance the purchase and installation of new equipment to make sure that pork producers can get their high-quality product to consumers. Cambridge Meat Packers' 35,000 square-foot plant was recently renovated into a state-of-the-art facility, meeting federal inspection requirements.

"We're grateful for the loan provided by the Slaughter Improvement Program as it will assist us in finishing the extensive renovations to the plant so that we can begin slaughtering operations," said Albertino Domingues, president of Cambridge Meat Packers. "This will provide jobs to the local community and an additional market for Ontario hogs."

Canada's $50-million Slaughter Improvement Program, as part of Canada's Economic Action Plan, makes federal loans available to support sound business plans aimed at reducing costs, increasing revenues and improving operations of red-meat packing and processing operations in Canada. The 2010 Budget provided an additional $10 million to the program.

With more than $20 billion in sales, Canada’s red meat industry is the country’s largest employer in the food industry.

For more information on this program, visit www.agr.gc.ca/slaughterhouse.