TORONTO, ON – At a media event held this afternoon at Toronto’s Steam Whistle Brewery, Ontario Minister of Economic Development, Trade and Employment Dr. Eric Hoskins announced that the Ontario Microbrewery Strategy is being extended for two years to 2015-16.
Through the Strategy, $1.2 million of annual funding will be provided to the Ontario Craft Brewers to help the organization and its member breweries with costs related to marketing and other promotional activities.
“Ontario’s award-winning craft brewers are creating jobs and contributing to the growth of our economy,” said Dr. Hoskins in a statement. “Extending the microbrewery strategy will help support the success of this thriving industry – not just by supporting brewers themselves, but by supporting the spin-off jobs they create through their success including in local agriculture and in the hospitality industry.”
“We’re proud to work with the Ontario government to bring more attention to the fine products made by our province’s craft brewers,” added John Hay, President of the Ontario Craft Brewers. “Ontario has tremendous brewing talent and we thank the Ontario government for helping support and grow the opportunities for Ontario craft beer makers.”
For more details, see the full press release on the MEDTE website.
Isn’t it true that money from this initiative is used by craft brewers to buy better shelf space at the LCBO, effectively returning it back to the Government of Ontario, a government that is addicted to the tax dollars the LCBO generates while keeping large foreign-owned breweries ahead of domestic and small-business competition via the Brewer’s retail? The sheer hypocrisy is breathtaking…