North Saanich is now home to a new facility, the Centre for Plant Health, which is a new lab that, among other things, will research ways to make wine and fruit growing more sustainable.
With the state-of-the-art scientific facility now open, the Canadian government hopes that the work done here in North Saanich will set new standards for plant health science and bolster the country’s trade and agriculture sectors.
The Centre for Plant Health is now Canada’s only post-entry quarantine, research and diagnostic facility for virus testing of grapevines, fruit-bearing trees and small fruit.
Through researching these matters, the Centre hopes to play a role in protecting plant health.
Their work in virus testing and virus elimination will support the productivity and sustainability of Canada’s vineyards, orchards and berry farms—thus supporting farmers and strengthening trade sectors worth billions to the national economy.
“With new greenhouses and research spaces, the Centre for Plant Health will make it easier to spot plant diseases faster and more accurately,” said Lawrence MacAulay, Canada’s Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food.
“This is vital for protecting Canadian agriculture-business, trade and the environment, while also supporting fruit and grape growers across the country.”
The technologies at the new Centre can specifically modernize testing for regulated plant diseases, as well as improve Canada’s capability to detect diseases earlier and more accurately.
The potential of this work could decrease plant quarantine waiting times, helping to speed up regulatory approvals and enable Canadian businesses to move their products to market faster and more economically.
The Centre for Plant Health was also gifted an Indigenous name by W̱SÁNEĆ elders, ÍY ̧ NONET ̧ ÁUTW̱ E TŦE SJESENENEȻ, which means “the place that is good for the plants.”
