Ontario’s agri-food sector is set for a significant boost as Lee Li Holdings Inc. commits more than $533 million to expand and modernize its manufacturing footprint in Mississauga, marking one of the province’s largest food-and-beverage investments this year. The project is expected to create 275 jobs and deepen Ontario’s role as a North American hub for beverage production and advanced packaging technology.
The provincial government announced the investment Thursday, positioning it as a strategic win amid ongoing trade tensions and supply-chain disruptions. “Ontario has the best workers in the world, and we’re proud to support this state-of-the-art expansion that will create 275 good-paying jobs in Mississauga and strengthen our province’s position as a leader in advanced manufacturing,” said Premier Doug Ford. “By continuing to lower taxes and cut red tape, we’re protecting workers and businesses while building the strongest, most resilient and competitive economy in the G7.”
Under the plan, Lee Li will enlarge its existing facility by 15,000 square feet and construct a new 85,000-square-foot bottling and packing plant. The new facility will serve as the company’s North American hub for manufacturing plastic bottles for high-demand beverages including teas, coffees, sparkling waters and flavoured waters. The expansion aims to shift more end-to-end production—bottle manufacturing, filling and packaging—into Ontario, reducing reliance on external suppliers and international imports.
Minister of Economic Development, Job Creation and Trade Vic Fedeli said the project reinforces the province’s efforts to strengthen domestic capacity across key industries. “Amid unprecedented global economic uncertainty, Ontario remains focused on strengthening domestic supply chains to build a more resilient and self-reliant economy,” Fedeli said. “Lee Li’s expansion will ensure that more Ontario-made products are bottled and packed right here at home, creating good-paying jobs for families in Mississauga and significant downstream benefits for companies across the agri-food sector.”
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