MCEC has received numerous letters supporting its efforts to back a toll processing model for a new beef plant in Winnipeg. We’ve included a few comments below.
In addition to these, plant management has a number of letters of intent to purchase beef from the plant from respected international buyers. They are seeking a reliable source for quality Canadian beef that meets certain specifications.
“[This plant] truly represents the opportunity to bring a much needed new business model to the Canadian beef industry … It represents an opportunity to break out from the prevailing commodity based strategies and structures that limit the capturing of new value and the distribution of this value back to producers.” – Jerry Bouma, Toma & Bouma Management Consultants.
“Continued dependence on US based processing puts our producers in a vulnerable position due to currency fluctuations and a thickening US/Canada border. We anticipate that [the plant's] focus on niche markets will provide an opportunity for our beef producers to expand their businesses into higher value halal, kosher and other non-commodity based markets.” – Doug Chorney, Keystone Agricultural Producers
“The plant will help the Manitoba beef industry manage risk and ultimately provide a more competitive marketplace for both ranchers and consumers while creating new jobs in the St. Boniface area of Winnipeg.” – Dairy Farmers of Canada
“We believe that the Manitoba toll processing facility had all of [the necessary] components and it would be a mistake that would be felt by the entire Canadian beef industry if this venture did not proceed.” – Gary Etherington, Beef Industry Alliance
“Canadian Legacy Partners strongly supports [this project] and would like to continue conversations to ensure that we are one of your custom slaughter clients.” David Fiddler, Canadian Legacy Partners
“The project itself is very exciting: it re-invigorates the cattle/beef industry, provides for kosher meat slaughtering according to the highest standards that would allow for the meat not only to provide for the Manitoba Jewish and Muslim communities, but would also export to the US via Centreport.” – Shelley Faintuch, Jewish Federation of Winnipeg
“The Chamber believes this project has the potential to be a tremendous asset to not only the City of Winnipeg but also the province of Manitoba in achieving greater prosperity. We think this project also addresses a key national objective to increase value added processing in Canada.” Dave Angus, The Winnipeg Chamber of Commerce
“The MCEC has assembled an experienced management team for the project and we are excited by the very real prospect of significant additional jobs and economic investment in our community.” Bill Morrissey, Yes! Winnipeg