Government of Canada announces $219 million to support farmers and ranchers in Western Canada facing the impacts of drought and wildfires

The Honourable Lawrence MacAulay, Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food, announced that the Government of Canada has allocated $219 million through the AgriRecovery Framework to support farmers and ranchers in Western Canada who are dealing with extraordinary costs due to drought conditions and wildfires

Canadian farmers and ranchers in British Columbia, Alberta and Saskatchewan have faced a number of challenges this growing season, including drought and wildfires. This funding will help them recover and ensure they have the tools they need to continue to be resilient in the face of natural disasters and extreme weather events.

Producers can also apply for interim payments through AgriStability to help them cope with immediate financial challenges. Producers have access to a comprehensive suite of Business Risk Management (BRM) programs—including AgriStability, AgriInsurance, and AgriInvest—that are the first line of defence when facing disasters.

 

 

 “The program will provide some financial relief to livestock producers, helping them to maintain the breeding herd by providing funding to address extraordinary costs caused by the drought.”

 

The Government of Canada has already supported requests from British Columbia and Alberta for late participation in AgriStability, as well as requests from British Columbia and Saskatchewan to increase the interim payment rate under AgriStability from 50% to 75%.

“I’ve had the opportunity to meet with farmers and producers from across Western Canada and they’ve shared just how challenging this growing season has been for their operations,” MacAulay stated. “With a federal investment of $219 million through AgriRecovery, we’re helping them recover so they can continue to feed Canada, and the world.”

In August 2023, Minister MacAulay also highlighted federal support for British Columbia, Alberta and Saskatchewan with a one-year adjustment to the AgriInsurance program to make more drought-damaged crops available for feed. This increased the amount of crops available for livestock producers in a time of need.

“This summer was an extremely challenging time for B.C.’s farmers and ranchers as we dealt with unprecedented drought and wildfire,” added Pam Alexis, B.C. Minister of Agriculture and Food. “We’ve been listening to and working with farmers and ranchers, and providing programs and support that meet their unique needs. AgriRecovery is another way we are taking action to protect the livelihoods of our province’s food producers, helping them return to their land, while supporting local food security and our local economies.”

In addition to this support, on August 21, 2023, the Government of Canada announced designations in regions of British Columbia, Alberta, Saskatchewan and Manitoba for Livestock Tax Deferral for 2023 due to extreme weather conditions.

“The Alberta government supports our livestock producers as they navigate this difficult growing season,” said RJ Sigurdson, Minister of Alberta Agriculture and Irrigation. “I’m glad that the Government of Canada has agreed to a joint AgriRecovery response. The combined funding will help protect producers’ livelihoods while they continue to put food on tables around the world.”

The Livestock Tax Deferral provision allows livestock producers who are forced to sell all or part of their breeding herd due to drought or excess moisture to defer a portion of their income from sales until the following tax year.

 “The livestock sector is a significant contributor to our provincial economy,” stated David Marit, Saskatchewan Agriculture Minister. “It is important we are there for producers through the current challenges. The program will provide some financial relief to livestock producers, helping them to maintain the breeding herd by providing funding to address extraordinary costs caused by the drought.”