Latest news with #Ontario-grown
Hamilton Spectator
27-05-2025
- Business
- Hamilton Spectator
New wind-assisted shipping technology on display in Hamilton Harbour
People along the Waterfront Trail watched Monday afternoon as the Vectis Progress loaded approximately 9,000 metric tons of Ontario-grown corn into its holds at Parrish & Heimbecker. The vessel, which arrived in Hamilton Harbour on Sunday, is scheduled to depart for Ireland on Tuesday. The Vectis Progress, which sails out of the U.K., is equipped with a unique wind propulsion system designed to cut down on carbon emissions and fuel use. The Vectis Progress, registered in the U.K., is equipped with a unique wind-assisted propulsion system developed by GT Green Technologies. The system is designed to reduce carbon emissions and fuel consumption. The Vectis Progress loads approximately 9,000 metric tonnes of Ontario-grown corn into its holds Monday afternoon before it heads to Ireland. For an interesting look at the development and installation of the technology, visit .
Epoch Times
20-05-2025
- Business
- Epoch Times
Ontario Projects $14.6 Billion Deficit in Budget Focused on US Tariffs and Economic Growth
Ontario's 2025 budget includes support for businesses and workers hit by U.S. tariffs, new investments to grow key sectors, and a deficit three times larger than last year's projection. This year's budget, dubbed 'A Plan to Protect Ontario,' responds to economic uncertainty caused by U.S. tariffs with a focus on building a stronger economy through nation-building projects and the province's 'most ambitious' capital plan yet, said Finance Minister Peter Bethlenfalvy at his May 15 budget 'Tariffs have created an economic challenge right across Ontario, and it is our communities who are hurting the most, Madam Speaker–but our government is there for them too,' the minister 'Our government's plan to protect Ontario is designed to strengthen and support not only Ontario's economy, but Canada's economy as a whole by positioning us for long-term prosperity and growth,' he added. 'Madam Speaker, if not now, when?' The new budget Related Stories 3/5/2025 2/27/2025 The U.S. administration has imposed three rounds of tariffs on Canada, with exemptions for goods covered under the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement. Ontario's deficit is expected to decline to $7.8 billion the following year, with a return to surplus in 2027–28, according to the province's projections. The budget The Opposition NDP said the new budget offers 'little hope and no reassurance' to people facing financial hardship, including those impacted by the tariffs. 'Instead of choosing a future where workers and their families can get ahead, the government missed the mark with a budget that is full of cuts and no new investments in the services that people rely on,' NDP finance critic Jessica Bell said in a May 15 'Over the past few months, the people of Ontario have been asking themselves: Why wasn't Ontario in a stronger position to take on these tariffs? Today's budget offers a clue.' Support for Businesses To assist businesses affected by U.S. tariffs, the province will establish a fund of up to $5 billion, called the 'Protecting Ontario Account,' aimed at providing immediate liquidity support to businesses that have exhausted their available funding. The province is also deferring certain provincial taxes until Oct. 1 for businesses impacted by the tariffs, providing around 80,000 employers with nearly $9 billion in cash flow to keep workers hired, officials said. The provincial government also plans to support manufacturing and processing businesses in Ontario by increasing the rate and expanding eligibility for a tax credit on investments in buildings, machinery, and equipment. The measure is expected to provide about $1.3 billion in cost relief over the next three years. The budget also provides $20 million to mobilize new training and support centres to offer transition supports for more laid-off workers, including those impacted by tariffs. The province is also launching a support program for grape growers and wineries to help increase the use of Ontario-grown grapes in wine production, according to officials. Running through the 2029–30 fiscal year, the program will offer up to $35 million per year to eligible wineries, with total available funding of $175 million. It is expected to double the proportion of Ontario grapes in blended wine on average. Economic Growth As part of its economic strategy, the province is allocating over $200 billion for capital projects over the next 10 years, including $33 billion in the current fiscal year. Planned investments include $30 billion for highway expansion and rehabilitation, nearly $61 billion for public transit, about $56 billion for health infrastructure, and more than $30 billion to build schools and child care spaces. The province also plans to invest $500 million to create a 'Critical Minerals Processing Fund,' which would attract investments in the processing of critical minerals while ensuring that minerals mined in Ontario are processed in the province. Premier Doug Ford has previously Ontario produced more than $10 billion worth of minerals in 2020, Increasing skilled worker participation in priority sectors is also among the province's goals, with plans to invest $1 billion over the next three years to support training organizations and build the necessary infrastructure across Ontario. This brings the total funding for this initiative to $2.5 billion. 'Whether it's our competitive advantage in critical minerals, energy, technology, talent and our workers, or any other area, we will need to bolster our economy by investing in our powerful and promising industries,' Bethlenfalvy said at the legislature on May 15. The province is also increasing loan guarantees for indigenous equity partnerships to $3 billion and supporting investments by indigenous communities in Ontario's growing sectors. It is also investing $70 million over four years to help indigenous people participate in mineral exploration and mine development, and $10 million over three years for scholarships for First Nations students pursuing careers in resource development. To support communities, the province plans to propose making its gas tax cuts permanent and eliminating tolls on the provincially owned Highway 407 East. Premier Doug Ford announced the measures
Yahoo
22-04-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Trump's trade war and Canada's retaliatory tariffs bring good news for Ontario wines
In the shadow of Donald Trump's trade war and Canada's retaliatory tariffs, Ontario's wine industry is seeing a silver lining. At Cooper's Hawk Vineyards in Harrow, founder and co-owner Tom O'Brien said Ontario's move to take down American liquor from the LCBO shelves has "actually been pretty positive" for them. "We've [seen] sales go up about 40 per cent since the American product came off the shelf. So, that's been super, super helpful," he said. "Actually the removal of that I think has forced people to try more Ontario wines and like them and then keep buying them." Tom O'Brien, the founder and co-owner of Cooper's Hawk Vineyards in Harrow, says the removal of American wines forced people to try more Ontario wines. They are seeing a 40 per cent increase in sales. (Pratyush Dayal/CBC) He said he was "pleasantly surprised" to see Canadians switch so quickly to locally-grown wines. He was suspecting a marginal increase but the 40 per cent amounts to about $4,000 a month for them O'Brien said they have six wines under the LCBO's direct delivery program and are thankful to the wholesaler's program called Support Ontario Wineries, which selected 60 wines across the whole province including one of theirs. Even if the American wine should come back, O'Brien said, more Canadians would have become accustomed to Ontario wines and will hopefully keep buying them. Debbie Zimmerman, the chief executive officer for the Grape Growers of Ontario, said she hopes so too. "Because the U.S. wine is off the shelves, we have an opportunity to put more Ontario wine on the shelves. We haven't seen that kind of opportunity for a long time," she said. 'Seeing that increase across the province': Grape growers of Ontario Zimmerman said the Ontario government has opened up about 8,000 points of access, of which 5,000 are presently operational, thereby boosting the access of Ontario wines from convenience stores to grocery stores. "People have more access to Ontario wine. So, it's rather serendipitous that we've had these tariffs and American wines come off the shelf. We have more access for our consumers," she said. "So, now we're seeing a real uptake in people choosing to be very patriotic as well to pick up that 100 per cent Ontario-grown bottle of wine. We're seeing that increase across the province." Zimmerman said they are seeing an overall increase in sales across the province of about 29 per cent. Debbie Zimmerman, the chief executive officer for the Grape Growers of Ontario, says they are seeing an overall increase in wine sales across the province at about 29 per cent. (Submitted by Debbie Zimmerman) The other contributing factor, she said, is the dropping of the trade barriers. "Meaning I can now buy a wine from Nova Scotia, for example, and not have to pay a tariff if it's delivered to my house." The "uncertain territory" with the tariffs, Zimmerman said, is challenging but the industry is planning for growth for the future, including increased grape production. "We're not sure day-to-day how the U.S. is going to react to something, she said, and we're caught in that wheel of change." She said grape and wine production is a vertically integrated business in Ontario and producers are counting on the government support for the future to ensure that they remain operational. "We've seen that commitment from Premier Ford and his government," she said. "We're counting on that support as we move forward to ensure that we [are] viable on both sides of the ledgers on growing grapes and producing wine."
CBC
09-02-2025
- Health
- CBC
Q&A: This London market and eatery is all about ginseng
London market and eatery Jing Jing Nutrifood Inc. is the passion project of Edmund (Ed) Lui, a retired professor of physiology and pharmacology at Western University. Jing Jing, which translated to essence and life energy, offers an array of ginseng products such as drinks, capsules, tinctures, soups and even maple syrup, along with a licensed restaurant. The CBC's Travis Dolynny stopped by the unique shop at 85 York Street to talk to Lui about his story and passion for the "king of herbs." The following has been edited for length and clarity: Travis Dolynny: Ed Lui, tell me a little bit about yourself. What's your background, and why ginseng? Ed Lui: I was trained as a pharmacologist and toxicologist at Dalhousie University, but I also have a family background in traditional Chinese medicine. My father had been engaged in making proprietary tonic medicines for many years, so you could say it's built into my genetics. After graduation, I spent some time in the United States at the National Institutes of Health before returning to Canada, where I worked with the Department of Physiology and Pharmacology at Western University for many years. I retired several years ago. As for ginseng, my background in Chinese medicine led me to recognize its long history of use. In 2008, the Ontario government announced funding to promote interdisciplinary research and enhance commercialization by integrating academia with the private sector. I saw ginseng as a great candidate for this initiative because North American ginseng is grown here in Ontario—it is the largest producer of American ginseng in the world. However, most of it is exported to China, and we end up importing the finished products back into Canada. I thought a research project aimed at enhancing commercialization and increasing the value of Ontario-grown American ginseng could change that. So, I created a consortium for innovation and research, securing a $20 million project to develop new agricultural technology and new product development for American ginseng. TD: What is it about ginseng that is so beneficial? EL: It's quite interesting. Traditionally, ginseng has been called a panacea—a cure-all. It was even referred to as the "King of Herbs" and was so valuable in ancient times that only royalty could afford it. Looking at the research, we found that ginseng contains numerous compounds that work together synergistically, targeting multiple biological processes. This is different from modern pharmaceuticals, which typically involve a single molecule targeting a specific receptor. Traditional Chinese medicine takes a broader approach, examining how different components in an herb interact to create a wide range of effects. Ginseng, for example, can support the immune system, reduce inflammation, and improve metabolic health. TD: So, ginseng has healing properties? EL: Yes. Our studies examined its role in immunomodulation, anti-inflammatory properties, cardiovascular health, and even erectile dysfunction. We also looked at how it prevents ischemia-reperfusion injury, supports heart function, and affects metabolic syndrome. TD: Are there any side effects? EL: It depends on the individual. Some people may be more sensitive to ginseng, experiencing mild stimulation or difficulty sleeping. Generally, however, we don't see significant adverse effects. People taking medications should be cautious, as herb-drug interactions are always a possibility. While research hasn't shown major interactions with ginseng, we recommend taking it at least two hours after medications to minimize any potential effects. For those on blood thinners, it's best to consult a doctor before using ginseng. TD: What are some of the products you've developed? EL: We've created natural health products that are approved by Health Canada. These extracts are produced from the ginseng root and have approved claims for stimulating immune function, modulating blood glucose, and calming nerves. One of our unique innovations is advanced processing technology that allows us to convert regular ginseng into American Red Ginseng, similar to Korean Red Ginseng. This version has stronger anti-inflammatory and potential anti-cancer properties, making it more potent than regular ginseng. Many of our products are based on this enhanced version. Besides natural health products, we also produce health foods, which don't require licensing but can't make health claims. However, we ensure high quality by using nutraceutical-grade ginseng. Some of our products include a ginseng elixir made with red ginseng and other adaptogenic ingredients like goji berry, hawthorn, cranberry, Jerusalem artichoke, and schisandra. We've also infused coffee beans with ginseng extract to provide an additional energy boost. This is especially beneficial for people who can't tolerate caffeine but still want a natural stimulant. TD: How do you incorporate ginseng into your life? EL: Oh, I have it every day. I take one capsule a day as a natural health product. Then, we have the elixir and the thirst quencher. Since there's only so much ginseng you can take at one time, using multiple products ensures you get enough to experience its full benefits for health and wellness. So, I'm definitely a proven guinea pig!
