Economic Development Regina (EDR) has provided a model for a mid-scale canola meal processing facility in Regina.
Chris Lane, EDR CEO, said the organization took on this project to showcase the potential for future development of canola crush facilities in Regina.
“Clearly, there's an opportunity here. The potential for an ecosystem around biomass and agri-food products is really starting to take shape in Regina.”
The proposed facility would include 5.7 million tonnes of new canola crush capacity starting in 2027 around the Greater Regina Area. Annually, there would be an input of up to 14,000 tonnes of canola seed, with an annual output of between 4,000 and 8,000 tonnes of canola meal and 2,500 to 5,000 tonnes of residual oil.
EDR projections estimate 20 permanent jobs created from this facility, along with 30 to 50 construction jobs.
As for revenue, the facility would generate approximately $4 million annually to the province’s export value and up to $589,000 towards the City of Regina’s revenue.
Speaking on the city’s revenue, Lane said, “It's really important to spend time on facilities like this that will continue to produce value-added products that are kind of the backbone of what Regina's manufacturing and processing sector is all about.”
By producing more canola, EDR notes it would reduce Canada’s reliance on soymeal, which is primarily imported from the U.S.
“Now more than ever [with tariffs], it's important to understand the value of what Canadian-produced and Canadian-processed products add to our own economy here,” said Lane.
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