Infolettre

19 juin 2020

 

Financial support for those who employ local workers

Good news! Financial assistance to subsidize wages for new employees’ first few days of work (up to 21 hours) is now available.

This measure is intended to support agricultural businesses in onboarding and training local workers.

Highlights:

  • The funds are open to employers in all agricultural production types who hired employees as of March 15, 2020, or who plan to do so by September 30.
  • Businesses are reimbursed for new employee training.
  • The support is primarily to cover wages earned by workers during the training period, up to 21 hours (corresponding roughly to the on-farm training period).
  • A maximum of eight new local workers per business, paid between $13.10 and $15.00 per hour, are eligible.

Subsidy details and application form

 


New resource from MAPAQ

COVID-19 has deprived certain businesses of income, causing some to have to absorb additional expenses, thus threatening their profitability.

The MAPAQ has posted a simplified directory of assistance measures organized into four main issue categories: cash flow, labour, marketing, and health measures.

New resource from MAPAQ


Expanded eligibility for CEBA

The federal government is expanding the eligibility criteria for the

Canada Emergency Business Account (CEBA) program, which provides loans of up to $40,000.

Small businesses operated by owners who were ineligible for the CEBA program because their payroll was too low, sole proprietorships whose owners draw income directly from their businesses, and family companies that pay workers through dividends rather than payroll will be eligible for the CEBA as of June 19.

To participate in the CEBA program under the expanded criteria, applicants with less than $20,000 in payroll will require the following:

  • A business account with a participating financial institution
  • A business number from Canada Revenue Agency
  • Declared income for 2018 or 2019
  • Eligible expenses totalling between $40,000 and $1.5 million, which cannot be carried forward

Details on the CEBA and expanded list of criteria

 

 

(Still) seeking your videos!

As part of the Mangeons local, plus que jamais! (Eating local, now more than ever!) campaign, we put out an initial call in March to gather video testimonials from farmers.

Many farmers, including several from our region, answered the call. There is still time to submit a short video that you can film with your smartphone. Selected videos will be posted to the UPA’s online platforms and social media channels.

As an example, check out this video from Michel Guérin and Brigitte Maillette of Les fromages du verger farm, located in Saint-Joseph-du-Lac:

Note that only videos that meet the criteria (positive tone, information communicated clearly and succinctly) and technical requirements (see details by clicking the button below) will be selected. Videos will be chosen with a view to showcasing the full variety of production types.

Videos must be sent to fdemontagne@upa.qc.ca, through a service such as WeTransfer.

How to produce your video (French)

Waiver

 

Video of the week

What happens when your heart is on the farm but your body isn’t showing up? Do you recognize the signs of burnout in your own life? Road worker Émilie Lamarche covers the topic in this week’s video (in French).

Watch video

Continue taking care of yourself!

In May, Écoute agricole des Laurentides sent farmers in our regions a letter outlining how important it is for farmers to pay attention to their mental health. As field work gets busier, it is extra important to remain vigilant. Never hesitate to reach out for help.

Read the letter "Take care of yourself" (in French)

 

Website redesign

The UPA Outaouais-Laurentides Federation is participating in the UPA website redesign. This is a major undertaking that requires your input once again. This third (and final) consultation is designed to collect farmers’ comments about the layout and content of the future site. The survey takes 5 to 10 minutes to complete. We thank you in advance for your valuable time!

complete survey

 

Le Trait d'Union

Every week, the Le Trait d’Union newsletter takes stock of topics and issues of interest to the UPA across the province.

Read the June 16 issue of Le Trait d'Union