Syndicate briefs

Agriculture doesn’t shut down!

From Montreal to Ferme-Neuve, from Pontiac to Sainte-Anne-des-Plaines—twenty farmers from across Outaouais, Laurentides, Laval, and Montreal took time out of their busy schedules to participate in the “En agriculture, pas de fermeture!” project. Each participant produced a clip, either alone or with their family, containing a short phrase rhyming with “agriculture.” The clips were assembled into a montage. The Federation is proud to present these faces of passionate farmers. Click on the image below to access the video.

Three-phase electrical power network

The UPA has been calling on the government to expand Quebec’s three-phase electrical power network for years. To this end, the most recent budget provided $15.2 million over four years for the agriculture sector. However, the UPA has received word that because of issues related to COVID-19 and the government’s desire to kickstart economic recovery, this budget could be increased, which would mean that projects could start much sooner than expected.

We want to be sure to seize this opportunity. To ensure that as many projects as possible can be accomplished, the UPA has created a short survey (in French) to collect the required information. The survey will also help develop a list of farm businesses with proposals to hook up to the three-phase electrical power network in order to contact them later. Producers who have projects requiring the deployment of three-phase power are invited to complete the survey as soon as possible.

Complete the survery here

UPA meets with Montreal's urban farmers

Since the start of the pandemic, the UPA has developed closer ties with Montreal-based urban farmers. Hit hard by the closure of hotels and restaurants, which are the primary market for many, urban farmers have been able to lean on the UPA for solutions to their difficulties. Two videoconferences have been organized to allow the Montreal farmers to voice their needs, to demystify their impressions of the UPA, and to improve their understanding of the available services. The Financière agricole (FADQ) attended these meetings and explained the financing and income security programs that—to their surprise—urban farmers may qualify for.

Do you have hay crops and pastures? Take notes!

Whether or not you are registered in the hay crop insurance program, we ask that you document your crops throughout this growing season. If you have been struck by freeze-up, drought, or excess water, please take notes, calculate your losses, take photos, and keep your invoices on file. Later in the season, we will be conducting a survey on the status of the region’s forage crops to provide an overall portrait of the region’s harvest.

Government assistance measures

Emergency wage subsidy

You have until September 30 to file for the Canada Emergency Wage Subsidy (which covers up to 75 percent of payroll expenses). The subsidy is open to employers whose income fell by 15 percent in March and by 30 percent in April and May compared to the same months last year, or whose income fell by the average monthly income for January and February. The subsidy covers a period set to end on June 6, 2020, but you still have until September 30 to file for it.

Our accounting and tax service recommends that you wait until the eligibility period is over before applying. You may apply on the accrual basis or the cash basis of accounting, but not both. Waiting to apply will allow you to determine which basis will be more advantageous for your business. Note also that the June 6 limit is expected to be extended.

Support for corn producers to offset the impacts of the 2019 propane price hikes in Quebec

This week, the FADQ announced a support measure for corn farmers to offset the impacts of the 2019 propane price hike in Quebec. The goal is to mitigate the repercussions on affected farmers from higher prices for propane used to dry grain corn. The measure covers grain corn that was not harvested by November 19, 2019, the date on which Canadian National employees went on strike.

Financial assistance takes the form of a flat amount set at $23.50 per hectare for eligible corn cropland, up to $50,000 per farm business. More information is available here.

Programme d’aide pour l’isolement obligatoire des travailleurs étrangers temporaires est maintenant disponible

You may now apply online to receive a maximum contribution of $1,500 per temporary foreign worker (TFW) through the mandatory isolation program for TFWs (PAIOTET).

The PAIOTET is a one-time $50 million program designed to offset the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on Canada’s food supply by helping the agriculture, fisheries, and food production and processing sectors. The program is designed to help employers pay for certain extra costs associated with the 14-day isolation period, which is mandatory for TFWs upon their arrival in Canada under the Quarantine Act.

Mental health

Feeling your emotions

Mouvement Santé mentale Québec has launched its annual awareness campaign. The topic of the eighth video from Écoute agricole des Laurentides is “Ressentir, c’est recevoir un message” (Feeling means receiving a message). Did you know that 90 percent of our waking life is spent feeling emotions? Here are four steps to being in touch with your emotions from Mouvement Santé mentale Québec.

Écoute agricole des Laurentides team welcomes second “rural social worker”