The Minister of Emergency Management and Community Resilience and Minister responsible for Prairies Economic Development Eleanor Olszewski was in Saskatchewan earlier this week for two key announcements, including $4.2 million for the province's ag sector.
"By building on Saskatchewan’s many strengths and investing in them, we’re helping create good jobs and grow one strong Canadian economy."
The funding will enable advanced breeding capabilities for crops and livestock, expand local grain bin manufacturing, increase food processing opportunities, and promote value-added agriculture:
- The Global Institute for Food Security at the University of Saskatchewan (GIFS) to develop a genomic selection-based accelerated breeding program, through over $1.6 million in federal support.
- Venlaw Manufacturing Ltd. is receiving funding of $2.1 million to install novel automation equipment for new grain bin manufacturing.
- The Saskatchewan Food Industry Development Centre Inc. (Food Centre) is receiving an investment of $420,000 to purchase equipment and renovate to increase co-packing capabilities and incubation space.
- Ag-West Bio Inc. will leverage funding of $20,000 to deliver the Agri-Value Forum in 2025 and 2026, an event to promote value-added agriculture in Saskatchewan.
Three Saskatchewan businesses will also share in $1.3 million from the PrairiesCan's Regional Artificial Intelligence Initiative (RAII) and the Business Scale-up and Productivity program (BSP).
The projects will leverage AI advantages to help commercialize a new grain grading system, enhance energy monitoring for buildings, and expand markets for a guest parking platform.
Olszewski says the federal investment will help accelerate AI adoption and the digital transition of Canada's economy.
Enabling Ground Truth Agriculture will receive $586, 900 as part of the Regional Artificial Intelligence Initiative to complete and commercialize a new grain grading system.
The on-combine grain grading system analyzes grains for disease, damage and more ... so that reliable, real-time data about grain quality is available at commercial facilities and on the farm too.
Supporting Greenwave Innovations Inc. will receive $425,000 to use artificial intelligence as a way to enhance their energy monitoring platform for commercial and industrial buildings. The platform will help users conserve energy and reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, enhance building life and safety systems, eliminate waste, and streamline maintenance.
Another $300,000 from the Business Scale-up and Productivity Program is going to help Offstreet Technology Inc. enhance their cloud-based guest registration parking technology. Offstreet helps universities and private parking operators streamline their guest parking management, resolving issues and saving time for both visitors and hosts.
Overall the three AI projects will create 50 jobs, $30.5 million in revenue growth, and $5.6 million in exports.
Olszewski notes the investment in AI positions Canada for long-term success in key industries such as value-added agriculture, defence, critical minerals, and nuclear energy.