ONTARIO’S AG MINISTER UNVEILS NEW “CERTIFIED SUSTAINABLE” GRAPE GROWER SIGNS

Nov 17, 2023

Matthias Oppenlaender, Board Chair, and Debbie Zimmerman, CEO were pleased to welcome Honourable Lisa Thompson, Minister of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs, to Niagara-on-the-Lake today.

20 years ago, the Minister of Agriculture Food and Rural Affairs at the time unveiled the first Grape Growers of Ontario sign. Today, Minister Thompson unveiled new ‘Certified Sustainable’ vineyard signage for Ontario’s grape growers who have completed the viticulture sustainability certification process.

Ontario’s Certified Sustainable viticulture program facilitates the sustainability cycle from the vineyard into the winery through an accredited certification process verified by independent third-party auditors. The program provides consumers with the guarantee of a sustainable journey from grape to glass, and offers grape growers resources to increase sustainable practices to ensure Ontario’s vineyards remain viable for the next generation.

Next time you visit one of the several grape-growing regions across the province, keep an eye out for Certified Sustainable signage or visit www.grapegrowersofontario.com for a list of Ontario’s Certified Sustainable vineyards and wineries.

Pictured from left: GGO Board Chair Matthias Oppenlaender and granddaughter Eleanor; Danny Oppenlaender; Aaron Oppenlaender; Jessica Solanki (Oppenlaender) and son Charlie; GGO Director and Deputy Lord Mayor, Town of Niagara-on-the-Lake Erwin Wiens; Honourable Lisa Thompson, Minister of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs; Member of Parliament for Niagara Falls, Niagara-on-the-Lake and Fort Erie Tony Baldinelli; GGO CEO Debbie Zimmerman; GGO Vice Chair Kevin Watson; Lord Mayor of Niagara-on-the-Lake Gary Zalepa

Click here to see more...

Video: Finding a Balance of Innovation and Regulation - Dr. Peter Facchini

Regulations help markets and industry exist on level playing fields, keeping consumers safe and innovation from going too far. However, incredibly strict regulations can stunt innovation and cause entire industries to wither away. Dr. Peter James Facchini brings his perspective on how existing regulations have slowed the advancement of medical developments within Canada. Given the international concern of opium poppy’s illicit potential, Health Canada must abide by this global policy. But with modern technology pushing the development of many pharmaceuticals to being grown via fermentation, is it time to reconsider the rules?

Dr. Peter James Facchini leads research into the metabolic biochemistry in opium poppy at the University of Calgary. For more than 30 years, his work has contributed to the increased availability of benzylisoquinoline alkaloid biosynthetic genes to assist in the creation of morphine for pharmaceutical use. Dr. Facchini completed his B.Sc. and Ph.D. in Biological Sciences at the University of Toronto before completing Postdoctoral Fellowships in Biochemistry at the University of Kentucky in 1992 & Université de Montréal in 1995.