Nova Scotia maple syrup industry gets million-dollar boost from feds, province

SPRINGHILL, N.S.—Heavy snowfall across Atlantic Canada made last winter a particularly frigid one for maple syrup producers in Nova Scotia.

The province’s $4 million industry lost out on approximately 40 per cent of its annual production as a result of the damage the extreme snows caused local sugar maples and tapping equipment. To help the province’s tree-tappers get back on their feet, the federal and provincial governments are stepping in. The governments will invest $950,000 to assist with recovery costs and the re-establishing of sap collection systems.

As it hopes 2016 stays mild, the Maple Producers Association of Nova Scotia is grateful to receive the aid.

“This funding will help our maple producers get back on their feet so they can look forward to a good production this spring and in the years to come,” Drew Hunter, president of the maple producers’ association, said.

The funds were made available through the AgriRecovery Framework, which helps businesses recover from unforeseen disasters.