THUNDER BAY — Lakehead University's agricultural research station has received renewed funding from both levels of senior government.
In an announcement on Friday, Thunder Bay–Atikokan MPP Kevin Holland revealed that Lakehead University Agricultural Research Station will receive $1.65 million over five years.
"This is really going to help the agency do the great work they're doing," Holland said. "We know the potential for increased agricultural activity and business here in northwestern Ontario is endless, and the work that's being done here at Lakehead University through the agricultural research station is really enhancing the opportunities in the agricultural sector and moving forward."
The funding is being provided in a 60-40 split between the federal Ministry of Agriculture and Agri-Food and the province's Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs.
Holland expanded on a comment he made during the announcement that other parts of the province are claiming to be "running out of farmland."
"That comment is based on what opposition members are saying. We have tremendous amounts of agricultural land in the province." Holland said. "What I meant by that is there is there's not, they're not looking beyond that one-third Southern Ontario component of the land availability and recognizing how much land is available in Northern Ontario that is prime for agriculture."
Holland said he supports marketing the land outside of southern Ontario for farming and industry growth.
University president Gillian Siddall called the continued funding a gift.
"This gift helps us to do the research that is specific to this region to help farmers in this region, which then helps the communities here," Siddall said.
