COVID-19: Cross Country Update (May 5, 2020)

Federal

The Government of Canada announced the following measures:

Supports for Farmers, Food Businesses and Food Processors

Today, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau announced an investment of more than $252 million to support farmers, food businesses, and food processors and an additional $200 million in borrowing capacity for the sector. Specifics of this investment include:

• Creating a $77.5 million Emergency Processing Fund to help food producers access more personal protective equipment, adapt to health protocols, automate or modernize their facilities, processes, and operations, and respond to emerging pressures from COVID-19;
• Launching a national AgriRecovery initiative of up to $125 million in funding to help producers faced with additional costs incurred by COVID-19 including set-asides for cattle and hog management programs to manage livestock backed-up on farms, due to the temporary closure of food processing plants;