Manitoba’s quest to become a global leader in the development and production of sustainable protein has gained further momentum through Project Accelerating Sustainable Protein Impact and Results (ASPIRE), an industry-led, concerted and co-ordinated team effort toward advancing the Manitoba Protein Advantage Strategy.
“This plan represents tremendous opportunity for our province’s industry and economic future,” said Agriculture Minister Derek Johnson. “Our government appreciates the shared expertise that has led to this pivotal development.”
The release of Project ASPIRE promises to be a key highlight of the third annual Manitoba Protein Summit, a virtual conference slated for Feb. 22 to 23. This major industry conference has attracted more than 650 attendees from around the world, with “Sustainable Protein Food Systems” as this year’s theme.
“The Manitoba Protein Advantage Strategy was released in 2019 to sustainably grow Manitoba’s plant and animal protein industry through innovation and value chain collaboration,” said Johnson. “To date, Manitoba’s protein industry has attracted new investments valued at $753 million, creating 840 jobs and surpassing 50 per cent of the strategy’s $1.5-billion target in new investments through 2025.”
The Manitoba Protein Consortium, an industry committee appointed by cabinet, has transitioned the strategy from a government-led initiative to an industry-led strategy through the establishment of a strategic advisory body of 18 industry leaders to lead the implementation of Project ASPIRE.
“Project ASPIRE is a comprehensive plan focused on realizing the province’s potential to produce protein that is diverse, high-quality, healthy and increasingly sustainable,” said Dickson Gould, chair of the Manitoba Consortium and president of The Progressive Group. “We are very pleased to appoint David Wiens, the chair of Dairy Farmers of Manitoba and Chris Anderson, the chief technology officer at Protein Industries Canada to co-chair the strategic advisory body. Together, we want to accelerate sector leadership to make Manitoba a globally sustainable protein hub for plant, animal and alternative protein development, as well as increase the economic opportunities for our producers and protein manufacturers.”
“We have established roundtables to bring action to key pillars in the strategy, such as workforce, water and wastewater infrastructure and sustainable protein research. Other priority areas will be determined within the next few months,” said David Wiens, chair, Dairy Farmers of Manitoba and co-chair of the strategic advisory body.
“Our Workforce Roundtable will ensure that we have the right skills in Manitoba to sustainably grow our protein industry,” said Ron Koslowsky, chair, Workforce Roundtable and head of the Canadian Manufacturers and Exporters Association of Manitoba.
For more information about Manitoba’s work in protein innovation, visit manitoba.ca.
