Canadian Government Launches CA$1 Billion Fund to Grow Value-Added Food Sector

02:50 PM EDT, 09/14/2026 (MT Newswires) -- The Canadian government launched the CA$1 billion Agri-food Project Finance Fund on Monday to address financing gaps and support the infrastructure and technology needed to grow Canada's value-added food sector, as well as boost domestic processing capacity. Velocity Agri-Capital Partners, a venture capital fund backed by its general partner Arlene Dickinson, will receive CA$150 million from Farm Credit Canada, to focus on opportunities in the agri-food and agri-tech sectors across the value chain, a statement said. "This new CA$1 billion fund, combined with the CA$150 million investment in Velocity Agri-Capital Partners, will help Canadian agri-food businesses bring ambitious projects to life, expand processing capacity, and grow value here at home. By investing in innovation and infrastructure, we're supporting producers and ensuring Canada's food system is resilient for the future," said Heath MacDonald, Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food. The announcement came as the first-ever Canada Investment Summit gathered global investors for a two-day event in Toronto that aims to accelerate new investment in the country.