The MPP for Bruce Grey Owen Sound is calling on the province to lower taxes on hard cider products, similar to what Queen's Park did for craft beer brewers.
Bill Walker says the region is becoming the Cider Capital of Ontario, with 5 of the 22 cideries in the province.
Walker was debating Bill 110 which would reduce the mark ups and taxes on hard cider, something he says would be a game changer for local companies, and the apple industry.
Walker says the industry could see economic activity grow to $60-million dollars by 2018, and could see 350 new jobs open up.
James McIntosh of Duxbury Cider in Meaford calls provincial support critical to ensure a strong and lasting futures.
“Bruce-Grey-Owen Sound is his home to the highest concentration of Ontario craft cider makers in the province. We need new support from the province to make sure we have a strong and lasting future,” said McIntosh.
“This kind of success is good for not just my riding’s agriculture industry but also for our entire province with regard to jobs, supply chain, machinery and equipment, storage, bottles, cans,” MPP Walker said. “It would build the Ontario hard cider industry as a world leader.”
