Ontario Greenhouse Vegetable Growers Welcome National Food Security Strategy

Leamington, ON - June 12, 2026 – The Ontario Greenhouse Vegetable Growers (OGVG) are pleased to express strong support for the Government of Canada’s announcement of More Choice. More Control. More Canada: Canada’s first-ever National Food Security Strategy, unveiled yesterday by Prime Minister Carney.

Backed by more than $3.2 billion in investments over ten years, the Strategy represents a transformative and generational commitment to strengthening Canada’s domestic food system. OGVG commends the federal government for recognizing the critical role of controlled environment agriculture (CEA) in enhancing food security, increasing affordability, and supporting economic growth.

“This is a significant and forward-looking investment that will directly benefit greenhouse growers across Ontario and Canada,” said Richard Lee, Executive Director, Ontario Greenhouse Vegetable Growers. “The Strategy acknowledges the essential role our sector plays in producing fresh, nutritious, safe vegetables year-round, while reinforcing Canada’s position as a global leader in greenhouse vegetable production, reducing reliance on imports and strengthening supply chains.”

Supporting Year-Round Production and Innovation

OGVG is particularly encouraged by the federal commitment of $750 million for controlled environment agriculture, which will support the expansion of year-round fruit and vegetable production across the country. This funding will help greenhouse growers continue to invest in advanced technologies, improve energy efficiency, and expand production capacity.

“With the support outlined in this Strategy, the greenhouse sector will be able to grow more food, more efficiently, and at a lower cost,” added Lee. “This benefits not only our farmers, but also Canadian families who are looking for affordable, locally grown food options, year-round.”

Strengthening Canada’s Food System

The National Food Security Strategy’s four pillars: enhancing competition in grocery retail, increasing domestic processing capacity, expanding year-round production, and reducing regulatory barriers, align closely with OGVG’s priorities.

OGVG welcomes initiatives that:

• Improve infrastructure and market access for growers and independent vendors;

• Support food processing closer to where crops are grown, helping reduce transportation costs and emissions;

• Cut regulatory red tape to ensure timely access to essential inputs like fertilizers and crop protection tools; and

• Enable Canadian products to move more easily across provincial and territorial markets.

A Stronger Future for Canadian Agriculture

As a leader in North America’s greenhouse vegetable sector, Ontario is well positioned to leverage these investments to drive growth, attract investments, create jobs, and enhance food security nationwide. The Strategy’s focus on innovation, financing, and regulatory modernization will help ensure the sector remains globally competitive.

“We look forward to working with the federal government and partners across the agri-food value chain to implement this Strategy,” said Lee. “Together, we can build a more resilient, sustainable, and food-secure Canada.”

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About Ontario Greenhouse Vegetable Growers

Ontario Greenhouse Vegetable Growers is a not-for-profit organization representing greenhouse farmers who grow tomatoes, cucumbers, and peppers in Ontario. With a commitment to innovation, sustainability, and food safety, OGVG members supply fresh, high-quality vegetables to Canadians year-round.