Provincial & Federal Governments Brewing Support for Two Breweries in Guelph

The Ontario government and the Government of Canada invested over $187,000 in two local Guelph breweries (Sleeman Breweries Ltd. and Wellington County Brewery Inc.) to help them expand operations and to continue to grow the province’s craft beer industry.

Wellington County Brewery Inc. has received $183,000 to:

• Install a new automated canning line in the new facility and
• Invest in strategic processing equipment to increase automation and improve labour productivity and efficiency with an aim of increasing output for meeting consumer demand

Sleeman Breweries Ltd has received $4,000 to:

• Complete training for key stakeholders on a food safety program following British Retail Consortium global food safety standard

The investment in Wellington County Brewery Inc. and Sleeman Breweries Ltd. is part of a $1.6 million investment through Growing Forward 2 that includes 42 projects at 20 craft breweries. This funding is delivered jointly by the federal and provincial governments through Growing Forward 2, a federal-provincial-territorial initiative that supports programs aimed at improving innovation, competitiveness, market development, adaptability and industry sustainability in Canada’s agri-food and agri-products sectors.

These investments help achieve the federal government’s goal to support the agricultural and agri-food sector in a way that allows it to be a leader in job creation and innovation.

Providing more opportunities for small brewers is part of the Ontario government’s economic plan to deliver on its number-one priority to grow the economy and create jobs. The four-part plan includes investing in talent and skills, including helping more people get and create the jobs of the future by expanding access to high-quality college and university education. Through this plan, the government is making the largest investment in public infrastructure in Ontario’s history and investing in a low-carbon economy driven by innovative, high-growth, export-oriented businesses. The plan is also helping working Ontarians achieve a more secure retirement.

“Guelph has a long standing tradition of converting our excellent well water into craft beer, which goes back to our founding with names like Silvercreek, Reinhard, Sleeman and others leading to today’s example of Wellington Brewery. The people at Wellington work not only on their excellent product but also share talent and space with other local brewers.  Wellington has also been a wonderful local sponsor of Guelph events and associations, showing their family approach and commitment to our community and their industry with everything they do.”

— Lloyd Longfield, MP for Guelph