A North York beverage company will be the first to benefit from a new City of Toronto program designed to spur local business investment and job growth. National Dry Beverages, an independent bottler operating since 1959, has been approved for the Economic Development & Growth in Employment (EDGE) Incentive Program, the city announced Tuesday.
The company is embarking on an $18.1 million expansion of its facilities, nearly doubling its footprint and creating 20 new full-time jobs. The EDGE program, established in late 2024, is a key component of Mayor Olivia Chow’s Economic Action Plan, created to bolster Toronto's competitiveness and support key industries in the face of economic pressures, including U.S. tariffs.
The program works by providing a five-year property tax rebate on the increased value of a property resulting from an expansion or new construction. For National Dry Beverages, this incentive supports a significant scaling of its operations to meet rising consumer demand for its products, which include iconic brands like Clearly Canadian, Brio, and Fizzler.
Details of the expansion
The $18.1 million investment will see National Dry Beverages add approximately 62,000 square feet to its existing North York plant, bringing the total facility size to nearly 130,000 square feet. This substantial increase in operational space is crucial for the company to manage growing demand and introduce new brands into the Ontario market.
Beyond the physical expansion, the investment translates directly into local jobs. The company will hire 20 new full-time employees, boosting its permanent workforce by almost 40 per cent. This growth not only benefits the company but also reinforces the manufacturing employment base in the city’s north end.
We are about to double our existing footprints, which will support our increased demand which allows new brands entry into the Ontario marketplace and allows Canadian brands to expand beyond our borders.
The expansion positions the long-standing Toronto company for significant future growth, enabling it to better serve domestic consumers and explore new export opportunities. The move is a vote of confidence in Toronto as a hub for manufacturing and distribution.
A tool for economic competitiveness
The EDGE Incentive Program was launched as a strategic tool to keep Toronto competitive. It aims to encourage companies like National Dry Beverages to invest and grow within the city’s borders rather than looking to other jurisdictions that may offer lower commercial taxes or other incentives. Mayor Olivia Chow has emphasized the program's role in retaining business investment.
“The EDGE Incentive Program is one way we are staying competitive so Toronto businesses don’t need to look elsewhere for the support they need to invest and expand,” Chow said in a statement.
The program is a direct response to a challenging economic climate, including international trade pressures such as U.S. tariffs that can impact Canadian manufacturers. By providing tangible financial relief, the city hopes to de-risk major capital investments for local companies. This aligns with a broader goal of protecting Toronto’s industrial and employment lands from being converted to other uses, an ongoing challenge in a city with intense demand for real estate.
Southern Ontario has a long and storied history in the beverage industry, with brands like Canada Dry and Vernor's Ginger Ale originating in the region over a century ago. Programs like EDGE are vital in ensuring this legacy continues, allowing modern companies to adapt and thrive in a global market while maintaining their local roots.
Targeted growth for key sectors
While the manufacturing sector is a key focus, the EDGE program is not limited to bottlers. The city has identified several strategic sectors eligible for the incentive, reflecting a wider economic development strategy. These include biomedical operations, film and television studio complexes, business incubators, scientific research and development facilities, and major tourism attractions.
This targeted approach is intended to foster growth in industries that provide high-value employment and have significant potential for future expansion. By investing in these areas, the city aims to build a more resilient and diversified economy. For more information on the city's financial planning, see the latest on the approved 2026 budget.
“We strengthen the economy by investing in the key sectors knowing which ones have the potential to grow. We also need to protect our employment lens,” said Coun. Shelley Carrol, a member of the city's Economic and Community Development Committee.
City staff have confirmed that a second business has already been approved for the program and five other applications are currently under review, though details on the companies involved have not been disclosed. To encourage further applications, the city will hold information sessions for potentially eligible businesses in May and June. More information can be found on the official city website.
