Coronavirus – Resources for Farmers

There are many resources to help farmers manage the COVID-19 pandemic crisis. Click on Need Help? for up-to-date information about federal and provincial support programs to help with the practical, financial and economic challenges of the pandemic. The Need Help? page also lists mental health support services available in every province.

COVID-19 has highlighted how vulnerable Canada’s agriculture system is, and how strongly Canadians value our food producers. The NFU is advocating for emergency support to help farmers through the pandemic crisis while laying a foundation for a more robust and resilient food system. The NFU is actively engaged with the Federal government (AAFC) consultations on COVID-19, speaking out on behalf of the needs and interests of farmers.

The NFU successfully called for elimination of the minimum payroll requirement for the Canadian Emergency Business Account (CEBA), so now owner-operator farmers are eligible. We advocated for support to allow migrant workers to safely come to Canada and contribute their skills and labour to produce food. NFU was key to getting New Brunswick’s to reverse its exclusion of temporary foreign workers. The NFU pressed to keep farmers markets open during the lock-down by having them declared essential services. We continue advocating for more regional abattoir capacity to help livestock farmers and reduce dependence on Cargill and JBS. Along with other farm organizations, we are pushing for changes to federal Business Risk Management programs to make them more equitable and workable for the majority of farmers.  A survey of our members has informed our understanding of how the pandemic is affecting farmers. We continue to work in a responsive, timely manner to address issues as they arise.

Here is what we have been working on: