There's good news for farmers hit by wildfires and drought, as the federal government has boosted AgriRecovery funding to up to $500 million this year.
The Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food, Marie-Claude Bibeau, said the increase was made to address extraordinary costs faced by producers due to the drought and wildfires. This includes initial funding of $100 million announced on August 6.
Given the extraordinary circumstances that farmers in Western Canada and parts of Ontario are facing, Bibeau says this increased funding ensures the federal government is ready to contribute to eligible provincial AgriRecovery costs on the 60-40 cost-shared basis outlined under the Canadian Agricultural Partnership.
The Government of Canada and the governments of British Columbia, Alberta, Saskatchewan, Manitoba and Ontario are currently working “with the utmost urgency” to complete joint assessments of the disaster and launch support programs, Bibeau added. This will include direct assistance to affected livestock and agricultural producers, and help them with added costs of obtaining livestock feed, transportation and water.
Producers can also apply for interim payments under AgriStability to help them cope with immediate financial challenges.
The Government of Canada and the governments of British Columbia, Alberta, Saskatchewan, Manitoba and Ontario have agreed to increase the 2021 AgriStability interim benefit payment percentage from 50 per cent to 75 per cent.
