Regional Federation offices remain closed

As activities gradually start back up across the province, it is more important than ever to practice measures to prevent COVID-19 contamination and mitigate the spread of the disease. To this end, our executive director would like to inform you that the guidelines adopted by the Federation at the end of March will remain in place until September 14, 2020.

We would like to remind you that the Federation’s services (the accounting tax service, the agricultural employment centre, and democratic life) will continue remotely by phone and by email. Farmers are invited to contact the various services of the Federation, preferably by email, should they require assistance with their files.

If you have documents to submit, please contact your syndicate officer.

Meanwhile, rest assured that your Federation team is doing everything within its power to continue delivering services to members.

Doors open virtually: Portes ouvertes to move online

The COVID‐19 pandemic put a stop to the 18th edition of Portes ouvertes sur les fermes du Québec, originally scheduled for April 7, 2020. Since that time, a virtual version of the event has been in the works. The goal is to promote Quebec agriculture and the essential work farmers do.

Government assistance measures: emergency account ($40,000 interest-free loan)

In an easing of the rules, the federal government has announced new eligibility criteria for the Canada Emergency Business Account (CEBA). The program details have yet to be published, however, and financial institutions (FIs) may be required to modify their sites in the near future to allow you to apply online. Check the COVID section of your FI’s website regularly for updates, and apply when the time comes.

The FADQ encourages you to go paperless

The Financière agricole du Québec (FADQ) is inviting farmers to join it in going paperless and sign up for an online file. The online file gives you access to all information about your farm (including financing, insurance, and income protection). You’ll be able to complete all payments, deposits, transfers, and withdrawals associated with your AgriInvest and Agri-Québec account, declare your yields, and view your coverage and insurable volumes.

All documents sent by the FADQ will appear in your inbox for easy access at your convenience. These measures help improve efficiency, protect the environment, and reduce the risk of spreading the virus.

Childcare in farming areas

As daycare centres gradually reopen their doors across Quebec, except in Greater Montreal, the Agricultrices du Québec joins the MAPAQ in pushing for information about childcare access for farming families and in expressing their needs.

If you have one or more children of pre-school age (0–5 years)—regardless of whether or not they ordinarily attend daycare—we invite you to answer this short survey by June 5. Your answers will be used to help us as we approach the Ministère de la Famille to make requests.

Le Trait d'Union

Each week, Le Trait d’Union, provides information on hot topics and files that the UPA is working on across the province.

Read the May 26 issue of Le Trait d'Union

Mental health

This week, in the tenth video from Écoute agricole des Laurentides, the road worker gives tips on how to deprogram fear. In this era of confinement, we hear in the media that we are supposed to “unlearn fear”—but how do we do this? Find out how.

View video #10