TORONTO – The governments of Canada and Ontario are increasing funding to the Honey Bee Health Initiative by up to $1 million to help improve the resiliency and competitiveness of beekeeper operations in Ontario. The additional funding will help more Ontario beekeepers better protect their colonies over the winter and protect against invasive pests such as varroa mites which pose a serious threat to honey bee health.
“So many of the crops grown across Ontario depend on healthy bee populations,” said the Honourable Lawrence MacAulay, federal Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food. “We’re expanding this vitally important support for our beekeepers so they can safeguard their livelihoods and keep their honey bee colonies healthy and sustainable.”
The Honey Bee Health Initiative, made possible through the Sustainable Canadian Agricultural Partnership (Sustainable CAP), initially opened on September 15, 2023 with a budget of over $1.3 million. To date, 218 projects have been approved. This initiative builds on previous programs, such as the back-to-back Honey Bee Health Management initiatives offered under the Canadian Agricultural Partnership (CAP).
“Honey bees play an important role in our agriculture and food industry as well as in Ontario’s ecosystem”, said Lisa Thompson, Ontario Minister of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs. “This increase to the Honey Bee Health Initiative demonstrates our governments’ commitment to the bee sector and production of honey throughout the province.”
This initiative is delivered by the Ontario Soil and Crop Improvement Association (OSCIA) and will directly contribute to the goals outlined in the Grow Ontario Strategy. The outcomes of this initiative will help to support food supply chain stability. “Ontario’s beekeepers and the honey bee industry are integral parts of Ontario’s food supply and food security,” said Ian Grant, President of the Ontario Beekeepers’ Association (OBA). “The OBA welcomes the Ontario government’s further investments into our industry, and thanks Minister Thompson and the Sustainable Canadian Agricultural Partnership for their continued support.”
Sustainable CAP is a five-year (2023-2028), $3.5-billion investment by federal, provincial and territorial governments to strengthen competitiveness, innovation, and resiliency of Canada’s agriculture, agri‐food and agri‐based products sector. This includes $1 billion in federal programs and activities and a $2.5 billion commitment cost-shared 60 per cent federally and 40 per cent provincially/territorially for programs designed and delivered by the provinces and territories.