Ottawa has announced support for farmers affected by the Chinese tariffs.
The announcement came late afternoon on Saturday, Mar. 22, ahead of prime minister Mark Carney’s election call on Mar. 23.
Agriculture minister Kody Blois said the agriculture sector is experiencing multiple challenges, including the 100-per cent tariff on canola oil, meal and peas and 25-per cent tariffs on some pork, fish and seafood products. There is also continuing uncertainty regarding what the United States might do.
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The support is coming through AgriStability, by increasing the compensation rate from 80 per cent to 90 per cent and doubling the $3-million payment cap for the 2025 year.
“To get money to producers faster, the Government of Canada has also provided provincial and territorial governments with the option to proactively enter into an agreement to issue interim payments at a higher payment rate and initiate targeted advance payments in the event of tariffs, or for the hog sector in the event of African Swine Fever,” the news release said.
In provinces that adopt the changes, producers who participate in AgriStability would be eligible for an interim payment of up to 75 per cent of their estimated final payment.
The government said an administrator will be able to establish the targeted advance payments “where analysis shows that market disruptions have resulted in a sufficient loss to trigger AgriStability payments for a particular sector or region.”
Blois said China’s decision will have a devastating impact on farm families. He said the announcement is a direct result of advocacy from producers.
“I will continue to stand shoulder-to-shoulder with our producers and will defend the sector every step of the way,” he said.
