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COVID-19 Resources Available for our Members
Flowers Canada Growers (FCG) continues to monitor program availability and seek any and all support opportunities for our members. Below we have captured several key programs currently available.FINANCIAL
Agri-Food Workplace Protection Program (Ontario) - This program will provide resources through two project streams which will offset costs associated with managing COVID-19 health and safety in Ontario farms:
1. Occupational Health and Safety Measures - For projects to implement occupational health and safety measures related to COVID-19 on farms with intensive use of labour.
2. Enhancing Healthy Workforce Access and Accommodation - For projects to address workforce access and accommodations as a result of an on-farm outbreak of COVID-19
For more information on this program, please follow the link below:2. Enhancing Healthy Workforce Access and Accommodation - For projects to address workforce access and accommodations as a result of an on-farm outbreak of COVID-19
Regional Relief and Recovery Fund - The federal government has announced nearly $1 billion in funding to support businesses and communities affected by COVID-19. The Regional Relief and Recovery Fund (RRRF) will provide relief for businesses who did not qualify for support through other COVID-19 recovery programs. This program will be delivered by Canada's 6 regional development agencies. To check the requirements for support, please click the regional development agency supporting your region below. If you did not qualify for support in other COVID-19 support programs, be sure to check the below delivery agent supporting your region:
Atlantic Canada - The Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency (ACOA)
Quebec - Canada Economic Development for Quebec Regions
Canadian Territories - Canian Northern Economic Development Agency (CanNor)
Southern Ontario - FedDev Ontario
Northern Ontario - FedNor Ontario
Western Canada - Western Economic Diversification Canada
AgriStability - We are encouraging all members to apply into AgriStability now; please note the current application deadline is April 30, 2020. AgriStability is delivered differently in each province, but for broad information on this program and provincial contact points, please see the below link:
http://www.agr.gc.ca/eng/?id=1291990433266
Note - Members in the province of Ontario are currently being approached by AgriCorp (the local delivery authority) for inclusion in AgriStability for the upcoming year. Many of you will receive a call from AgriCorp to participate in this program, while others will be contacted by our office directly to ensure awareness of this program. If you have not received a call from AgriCorp or the FCG office to participate in this program, please contact ArgiCorp at 1-888-247-4999 | contact@agricorp.com
https://www.agricorp.com//en-ca/programs/agristability/Pages/Overview.aspx
Please note: FCG has been informed that the 6-month minimum production period for AgriStability's interim payment tool may be waived for farms in financial distress. If you have already experienced considerable loss, please contact your local delivery organization immediately to accelerate your AgriStability claim.
Wage Subsidies - Wage subsidy information can be found at the below links:
10% wage subsidy: https://www.canada.ca/en/revenue-agency/campaigns/covid-19-update/frequently-asked-questions-wage-subsidy-small-businesses.html
75% wage subsidy: https://www.canada.ca/en/department-finance/economic-response-plan/wage-subsidy.html
Tax Remittance and Loan Programs - Several programs are currently available for Canadian businesses to reduce the impact caused by COVID-19. These programs include tax deferral tools, as well as several loan programs. Please see the link for more information on several programs available and how to access them.
https://www.canada.ca/en/department-finance/news/2020/03/additional-support-for-canadian-businesses-from-the-economic-impact-of-covid-19.html
Business Credit Availability Program (BCAP) - the Business Development Bank of Canada (BDC) and Export Development Canada (EDC), both financial Crown corporations, will work closely with private sector lenders to improve access to financing for Canadian businesses. For more information, see the link below:
https://www.canada.ca/en/department-finance/programs/financial-sector-policy/business-credit-availability-program.html
Increased Lending Power for Farm Credit Canada - for more information on FCC's programs, please see the link below:
https://www.fcc-fac.ca/en/covid-19/program-details.html
Stay for Default for the Advanced Payments Program - A temporary stay of default has been issued for users of the Advanced Payments Program (APP). For more information on this, please see the below announcement:
https://pm.gc.ca/en/news/news-releases/2020/03/23/prime-minister-announces-support-farmers-and-agri-food-businesses
Agri-Food Open for E-Business initiative - note: this is currently only available for the province of Ontario members.
This initiative will help food producers, farmers markets, retailers, garden centres, greenhouses, nurseries, and agricultural associations develop online business, providing consumers with greater access to a wide variety of food and agriculture products. Funding is being provided through the Canadian Agricultural Partnership.
https://news.ontario.ca/omafra/en/2020/04/governments-invest-25-million-to-grow-agri-food-e-business-during-covid-19.html?utm_source=ondemand&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=p
WORKERS' COMPENSATION
Workers' Compensation Program Relief Across Canada: Several programs remain available.
WorkSafe BC (British Columbia) - WorkSafe BC is postponing payment deadlines, please see the below link:
https://www.worksafebc.com/en/about-us/news-events/announcements/2020/March/covid-19-situation-your-reporting-payment-deadline
Workers' Compensation Board (Alberta) - WCB Alberta has provided updates on relief programs for employers:
https://www.wcb.ab.ca/about-wcb/news-and-announcements/COVID-19.html
Workers' Compensation Board (Saskatchewan) - WCB Alberta has provided updates on relief programs for employers:
http://www.wcbsask.com/wcbs-employer-relief-measures/
WSIB Relief (Ontario) - WSIB has issued a relief package that will enable premium deferrals until August 31, 2020. For more information, please see the below link: https://www.wsib.ca/en/financialrelief
CNESST Relief (Quebec) - CNESST has provided updates on relief programs for employers in Quebec:
https://www.cnesst.gouv.qc.ca/salle-de-presse/Pages/mesures-assouplissements-covid-19.aspx?utm_source=CNESST&utm_medium=Carrousel-accueil&utm_campaign=Mesures_d%E2%80%99assouplissement_de_la_CNESST
HEALTH AND SAFETY
Sourcing Personal Protective Equipment - Many businesses are using personal protective equipment (PPE) to support their teams where social distancing is not possible; however, sourcing PPE has been a challenge for many businesses across Canada. Several provinces have endeavoured to provide assistance to business owners in sourcing PPE. This link will lead to a document provided by the federal government outlining provincial resources to sourcing PPE.
Health and Safety Resources - Federal and provincial governments have encouraged agriculture to take all necessary measures toward protecting the health of their employees, and that of government employees who may have to enter your properties. Please note that the CFIA have expressed great concern with potential exposure to COVID-19 for their staff. Your CFIA contacts may request information on your health and safety guidelines toward protection from infection, and the federal government is encouraging all farms to engage with their local health authority toward ensuring health and safety on your farms. Below please find some additional links of value on health and safety relating to COVID-19:
from the Canadian Agricultural Human Resources Council (CAHRC):
https://cahrc-ccrha.ca/programs/emerging-agriworkforce-issues/information-and-updates-coronavirus-covid-19#
from the Canadian Federal of Agriculture (CFA):
https://www.cfa-fca.ca/resources/resources-on-covid-19/
from the Canadian Federation of Independent Business (CFIB):
https://www.cfib-fcei.ca/en/tools-resources/covid-19-coronavirus-business
Guidelines for Health and Safety of Agricultural Workers from WSPS:
Provincial Guidelines on Social Distancing (Ontario):
The province has provided links to social distancing protocols for several sectors. These protocols were developed by provincial health and safety associations. To see a complete list of protocols please follow the below link:
Provincial Guidelines on Operating Agricultural Businesses amid COVID-19 - The province has provided guidance on operating agricultural businesses and managing COVID-19 in the workplace. To review these guidelines, please follow the link below:
MIGRANT WORKERS
Guide for Temporary Foreign Workers in Canada
Employment and Social Development Canada (ESDC) has released some guidance for foreign workers working in Canada. The below link is aimed at providing guidance to foreign workers on COVID-19 and working in Canada:
Subsidies for Migrant Worker Isolation Costs
The Government of Canada recently announced up to $50 million to assist farmers, fish harvesters, and food production and processing employers with the incremental costs associated with the mandatory quarantine period for temporary foreign workers arriving from abroad.
Employers in the primary agriculture, fish, seafood and food processing industries can receive $1,500 per temporary foreign worker hired through the Mandatory Isolation Support for Temporary Foreign Workers Program. The funding is meant to assist with incremental costs during the mandatory quarantine period such as:
* wages and benefits;
* off-site accommodations;
* transportation to and from any off-site accommodations;
* food or food allowances.
This funding is eligible for costs retroactive to March 26, 2020. For more information, see the link below:
Employers in the primary agriculture, fish, seafood and food processing industries can receive $1,500 per temporary foreign worker hired through the Mandatory Isolation Support for Temporary Foreign Workers Program. The funding is meant to assist with incremental costs during the mandatory quarantine period such as:
* wages and benefits;
* off-site accommodations;
* transportation to and from any off-site accommodations;
* food or food allowances.
This funding is eligible for costs retroactive to March 26, 2020. For more information, see the link below:
The federal government has released a "Frequently Asked Questions" document on temporary foreign worker logistics.This FAQ explores several questions which are being commonly received regarding migrant workers.To download this file, please see the link below:
Q & A LINK
SOCIAL DISTANCING
Social Distancing policies from CFIA
The Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) have released guidance on social distancing for facilities where CFIA staff need to continue inspection activities. Properties with CFIA staff on site will need to ensure appropriate social distancing policies as well as disclosure of COVID-19 finds on the farm. For more information, see the following link:
https://www.inspection.gc.ca/covid-19/cfia-information-for-industry/cfia-expectations-for-the-prevention-of-and-respon/eng/1586912798979/1586912981233
Recommended Social Distancing Protocols and Procedures for Garden Centers from Flowers Canada (Ontario) Inc.
The following are recommended protocols for retail garden centres to utilize based on guidance from the Province of Ontario and guidelines adopted by other Canadian provinces.
https://www.flowerscanadagrowers.com/uploads/2020/...
GOVERNMENT OF CANADA
Government of Canada COVID-19 Updates and Resources - For more broad information from the Government of Canada on COVID-19, please see the below link:
https://www.canada.ca/en/public-health/services/diseases/coronavirus-disease-covid-19.html
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