Ottawa announces woefully inadequate assistance for agri-food sector

On Tuesday, the Government of Canada announced $252 million in assistance for the agri-food sector. Those working in most agricultural production types have been going through significant crises resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic for several weeks now. The Canadian Federation of Agriculture estimates that financial losses in the agricultural sector currently amount to $2.6 billion, and the situation continues to worsen. The federal government’s commitment alone will not be enough to prevent the imminent crisis that threatens Canada’s food supply. Keep in mind that our farmers are also in direct competition with American farmers, who received $19 billion in support from the American government, including a $3 billion surplus purchase program to prevent food waste. This is proportionately ten times the assistance Canadian producers have received.

To read the UPA's analysis of the announcement, see the Trait d'Union

Interveiw with Marcel Groleau on Radio-Canada (in French)

UPA press release from May 7

Streamlined measures for obtaining and renewing documents for pesticide use and sale

Under the Regulation respecting permits and certificates for the sale and use of pesticides, both the seller and the user are required to hold a certificate, which they receive after passing an exam that is prescribed or recognized for their given production sector. Given the exceptional situation brought about by COVID-19, specific measures have been adopted to facilitate the process:

• Permits and certificates that expire between March 1 and September 1, 2020, will be extended unilaterally and free of charge for a six-month period.
• The SOFAD’s training and certification exams are available online:
• • Self-training
  • Online exams
• The SOFAD’s training and certification exams are available online and supporting documents emailed to the regional office of the Ministère de l’Environnement, which will issue the permit of certificate.

Remember that personal protective equipment (PPE) is not just for protecting yourself from COVID-19. Also be sure to wear the appropriate equipment when applying pesticides!

Assistance measures: information is your best weapon!

For several weeks, our dedicated resource at the Federation, Ms. Sylvie Allaire, has been answering your questions about government assistance measures. Drawing on official information, questions from farmers, and professional Q&A sites, she has come up with the following recommendations:

• Participate in all forms of the Agri programs available to you in order to remain eligible for future assistance
• Apply for the Canada Emergency Business Account through your financial institution website (AccèsD, National Bank direct, etc.)
• Reduce the amount of payroll deductions you remit to the federal government by up to 10 percent of wages paid to workers (Temporary Wage Subsidy)
• Check whether you are eligible to receive 75 percent of wages paid to workers (Canada Emergency Wage Subsidy). The process to file for this subsidy is slightly complicated, and many small adjustments continue to be made. Ms. Allaire recommends that you wait to apply. The deadline to apply is in October..
• The Incentive Program to Retain Essential Workers (IPREW) ends on July 4. No payments will be paid for weeks worked after this date, regardless of how many weeks were worked.
• Also concerning the IPREW, applicants must be at least 15 years old when they apply, and the deadline to apply is July 4. This means employees may delay the application date as needed, which will allow certain young people to qualify. The payment is still calculated retroactively.
• The “J’y vais sur le champ” (The time is ripe to work on a farm) campaign is in full swing. Enhancements that may affect certain conditions may be made within the next 10 days.

What about the $1,500 per temporary foreign worker?

We have received many questions from farmers regarding the $1,500 announced by the federal government to pay for the mandatory quarantine period. We are still waiting for the implementation terms of this program and are unable to answer your questions at this time.

Panic about 5G technology reaches Quebec

Around the world, activist groups drawing a link between the current pandemic and 5G technology have been vandalizing telecom towers. Quebec has not been spared. In the last week, reports of arson committed on towers in Basses-Laurentides, the North Shore, Laval, and Montreal have been received and have been tied to this movement. Farmers with towers on their property are encouraged to exercise caution. If you notice suspicious activity on your land, we recommend contacting your local police service.

Taking the neighbourly approach to work along property boundaries

With the spring comes the start of work in fields and on farm property. Before any work on your property gets started, it is very important to make sure it will be done properly to prevent potential problems with your neighbours.

When conducting work along property boundaries that may include ditches, fences, trees, and so on, it is important that all affected neighbours consent. It is also very important that any work conducted on neighbouring properties be done by the neighbours themselves.

If your neighbours do not authorize you to carry out work along property borders and damage to your property or crops would occur as a result, you can always share your problem with your municipality and request mediation support.

Mental health week

Did you know that this is Mental Health Week? The theme of this year’s campaign is social connections. Are you interested in a little survival guide designed for the age of social distancing? Check out our video!

Capsule 7 of Écoute agricole des Laurentides 

ERRATUM

In the May 1 newsletter, we wrote that farmers’ markets will be open but limited to selling food only. We should have specified that flowers from ornamental horticultural operations, soaps, and toiletries will also be allowed. Cut flowers may be permitted in certain circumstances.