HAMILTON – The Ontario government is welcoming an investment of $15 million by Bimbo Canada, the largest and oldest commercial bakery in the country. This new investment will boost local manufacturing and create new, good-paying jobs in the Hamilton area.
“Our government is thrilled to support this investment from Bimbo Canada – a growing Ontario company that believes in its community and is creating jobs for the people of Hamilton,” said Premier Doug Ford. “As we continue to navigate global economic uncertainty, our government will continue to work tirelessly to create the economic conditions that attract investments like these. We’re cutting red-tape, keeping taxes low and making investments to improve our province’s competitive advantage.”
Headquartered in Etobicoke, Bimbo Canada has produced high-quality baked goods and snacks for families across the country for more than 110 years. They employ more than 4,300 people across the 16 bakeries and 11 distribution centres they operate across the country. The company produces and distributes more than 1,000 products for 18 brands, including Dempster’s, Villaggio, POM, and Stonemill.
It was a pleasure to visit Canada’s oldest bakery, Bimbo Canada. They have been producing delicious baked goods in #Hamilton for over 100 years!
We are thrilled to support Bimbo’s expansion which will create new, good-paying jobs in Ontario. pic.twitter.com/sWxMzfAY2R
— Doug Ford (@fordnation) January 12, 2023
Their investment will be used to build a new state-of-the-art tortilla production line that will help them meet growing market demand in Western Canada. As part of this investment, the government is providing Bimbo Canada with $1.5 million through the Advanced Manufacturing and Innovation Competitiveness stream of the province’s Regional Development Program.
“Investments by local manufacturers, like Bimbo Canada, demonstrate the strength of Ontario’s manufacturing might and world-class workforce,” said Vic Fedeli, Minister of Economic Development, Job Creation and Trade. “Supporting these efforts is a key part of our plan to build a strong Ontario, and we look forward to working with the sector to create good-paying jobs and foster economic growth. We thank Bimbo Canada for making a significant contribution to our province’s dynamic manufacturing sector.”
“We would like to thank the Ontario Government for their support in installing a new innovative and high-speed Tortilla Production Line at our Trillium bakery in Hamilton,” said Marie-Eve Royer, President at Bimbo Canada. “Not only will it bake the highest quality Dempster’s tortillas that Canadians love, but it will also create jobs for the region and improve food security in Ontario. As we continue to strive to feed Canadians, we look forward to continuing to work with the province, as well as local and industry partners, on this important mission.”
Ontario is investing more than $100 million through the Regional Development Program from 2019 to 2023 to strengthen advanced manufacturing sectors in regions across the province. The program provides cost-shared funding to businesses, municipalities and economic development organizations to help local communities attract investment, diversify their economies, and create jobs.
To date, Ontario has provided more than $70 million in support to 67 companies through the Regional Development Program, leveraging close to $800 million in investments and helping to create more than 1,400 jobs in the province.
Quick Facts
- In 2019, the government launched the Regional Development Program for Eastern and Southwestern Ontario. Businesses and municipalities can access financial support through the Eastern Ontario Development Fund and Southwestern Ontario Development Fund along with complementary services and supports.
- Last year, the government launched the Advanced Manufacturing and Innovation Competitiveness stream of the Regional Development Program. This new stream helps Ontario advanced manufacturers invest in the equipment, advanced technologies and skilled workforce needed to improve competitiveness and growth, and to create, retain and bring jobs back to every region of the province.
- In 2021, manufacturing accounted for almost 660,000 jobs in Ontario and more than 10 per cent of the province’s Gross Domestic Product.
Quotes
“Bimbo Canada’s investment in the advancement of Ontario’s manufacturing and food processing sector, in Hamilton, is yet another example of the agri-food industry’s significant contribution to the province’s economic growth. This news demonstrates that Ontario is open for business and the stable and growing agri-food sector is attracting investment in this province.”
– Lisa Thompson
Minister of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs
“Our government’s plan to build a stronger Ontario is working! Thanks to Bimbo Canada’s investment, the high-quality baked goods and snacks made in Hamilton will soon be enjoyed by more Canadians. This investment supports the growing demand for Ontario-made products and ensures good-paying jobs for the people of Hamilton.”
– Neil Lumsden
MPP for Hamilton East–Stoney Creek
“Our government has promised since the day we took office that we would make it easier for businesses to invest and create jobs in this province. Today’s announcement of an expansion at their production facility in Hamilton is a clear indication that Bimbo Canada has confidence in the direction and strength of Ontario’s economy.”
– Donna Skelly
MPP for Flamborough-Glanbrook
SOURCE Office of the Premier
Leave a Reply