Ontario Partners with Steam Whistle to Support Over 240 Jobs in Toronto

Partnership will Support Expansion and the Launch of a New Ale

Ontario is partnering with Steam Whistle Brewery to invest in new equipment to expand its product line, creating 100 new jobs and retaining 143 positions in Toronto.

Steven Del Duca, Minister of Economic Development and Growth, made the announcement today at the company’s facility in Toronto.

Steam Whistle Brewery is the country’s largest independent craft brewer. The company currently produces a single brand premium pilsner in a national historic site in downtown Toronto. With support from Ontario’s Jobs and Prosperity Fund, Steam Whistle Brewery is investing in new equipment and a new facility in Etobicoke that will enable the company to expand its product line to include a new premium ale brand and a non-alcoholic offering.

Ontario’s plan to support care, create opportunity and make life more affordable during this period of rapid economic change includes a higher minimum wage and better working conditions, free tuition for hundreds of thousands of students, easier access to affordable child care, and free prescription drugs for everyone under 25, and 65 or over, through the biggest expansion of medicare in a generation.

QUICK FACTS

Ontario is providing a grant of up to $1,330,860 million through the Jobs and Prosperity Fund towards an overall project value of $22.8 million. The project is expected to be completed by January 2024.
Steam Whistle Brewery was founded in 2000 and uses products and services from more than 100 businesses in the supply chain, 80 per cent of which are located in Southwestern Ontario.
The Jobs and Prosperity Fund helps secure private sector investment in Ontario, allowing the government to partner with businesses that are creating jobs and enhancing productivity, innovation and exports. Every dollar invested through the fund leverages an average of $9 in private sector investments. Since January 2013, Ontario has announced 35 projects that are now administered under JPF, with government commitments totaling approximately $830 million, and leveraging over $10.9 billion in total investment. This is helping to create and retain approximately 46,000 jobs.

ADDITIONAL RESOURCES

QUOTES

“Supporting innovative companies like Steam Whistle Brewery is what the Jobs and Prosperity Fund is all about. Our government is thrilled that the company is expanding its offerings, following more than a decade of success. We are committed to investments that will help companies grow while creating high value jobs in the province.”
— Steven Del Duca, Minister of Economic Development and Growth

“By supporting food and beverage processors in Ontario, we are helping businesses like Steam Whistle Brewing expand to become more competitive both at home and abroad. Steam Whistle Brewery is the largest independent craft brewer in Canada, helping to grow our economy and create jobs while making a top-quality product. Ontario is pleased to support talented local brewers through strategic investments that continue to grow our economy by creating jobs and strengthening our agri-food and beverage sector. “
— Jeff Leal,, Minister of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs

“Steam Whistle Brewery is a big part of the culture of Toronto. We are thrilled that it is continuing its presence in its historic downtown location and expanding to Etobicoke as well. With this support from Ontario’s Jobs and Prosperity Fund, Steam Whistle Brewery will continue to be a tourist destination, a vibrant events space and a beloved independent local brewery.”
— Han Dong, MPP for Trinity-Spadina

“We appreciate the government’s support of our new expansion project. This investment will not only help Steam Whistle increase production and efficiency, but enable us to build our capacity to enter new markets. The craft brewing sector in Ontario has seen tremendous growth. We want to continue to lead the sector and remain competitive through our innovative brewing techniques and our novel approaches to producing great tasting, quality products. The funding we received through the Jobs and Prosperity Fund is helping us achieve that goal.”
— Cam Heaps, Co-founder and CEO, Steam Whistle Brewery