Investments Supporting Over 600 Jobs in Eastern Ontario

Ministry Responsible for Small Business

Province Partners with Local Businesses to Boost Regional Economic Growth

Cobourg, ON – April 5, 2018

Ontario is partnering with Canada Candy Company, Muskoka Rock Company, Panolam Industries, Armada Toolworks and Mariposa Dairy to create 110 new jobs and support 496 existing positions in the eastern region.

Jeff Leal, Minister Responsible for Small Business, made the announcement today at Canada Candy Company Inc. in Cobourg with Steven Del Duca, Minister of Economic Development and Growth, and Lou Rinaldi, MPP for Northumberland-Quinte West.

Canada Candy Company is a leading consumer-packaged goods company that manufactures sugar candy confectionary for retail sale, re-packing and private label, and was the first candy company in North America to offer peanut-free, kosher and halal products. With support from the Eastern Ontario Development Fund, the company has built a state-of-the-art facility to make new types of gummy candies. With the new facility and equipment, the company is in-sourcing the production of the high quality candy it is known for.

Armada Toolworks is one of the few auto component manufacturers in eastern Ontario, specializing in door handle and interior systems including vents and speakers, and decorative trim components. With support from the Eastern Ontario Development Fund, the company will install a new assembly line and increase press capabilities of up to 1,000-tons. This will help the company to make higher-value large components, including glove boxes and door handles, allowing the company to remain competitive and grow its operations.

Mariposa Dairy produces high quality cheese using 100 per cent Ontario sourced goat and sheep milk. The company is the second largest goat cheese manufacturer in Canada and produces over 20 cheese products. With support from the Eastern Ontario Development Fund, the company is investing in new automated equipment to increase the current processing capabilities by more than 60 per cent. With new production lines for hard and soft cheese products, the company will take advantage of new opportunities in the specialty cheese market and food service sector.

Muskoka Rock Company is the largest manufacturer in Ontario that extracts and cuts Muskoka granite, which is finished into a full range of products with unique colours and textures for both interior and exterior use. With support from the Eastern Ontario Development Fund, the company plans to build a new manufacturing facility to shift production of premium granite from outside the province to Huntsville. This will lower overall production cost, while assisting the company with plans for continued growth. The company is also investing in new equipment to create new products for Ontario, Canada and new international markets.

Panolam Industries designs, manufactures and distributes thermally fused laminate panels and high-pressure laminate sheets for cabinet and furniture manufacturers throughout the U.S. and Canada. With support from the Eastern Ontario Development Fund, the company is investing in retrofitting and upgrading of a manufacturing line that will improve plant productivity, address capacity constraints and increase exports to the U.S.

Ontario’s plan to support care, create opportunity and make life more affordable during this period of rapid economic change includes a higher minimum wage and better working conditions, free tuition for hundreds of thousands of students, easier access to affordable child care, and free prescription drugs for everyone under 25, and 65 or over, through the biggest expansion of medicare in a generation.