G/AG/GEN/167  
 
17 September 2020  
(20-6250) Page: 1/7 
Committee on Agriculture  Original: English  
 
AD HOC  REPORT ON COVID -19 MEASURES TAKEN BY CANADA  
IN THE AGRICULTURAL SECTOR  
SUBMISSION BY CANADA  
The following submission, dated 15 September 2020, is being circulated at the request of the 
delegation of Canada.  
 
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1.1.  This ad hoc report responds to commitments made by Canada to inform the WTO in a timely 
manner of agriculture measures made in response to COVID -19. In particular, this ad hoc report 
actions commitments made by Canada in 1) WT/GC/217 "June 2020 Statement of Ottawa Group: 
Focusing Action on COVID -19, 2) WT/GC/208/Rev2 "Responding to the COVID -19 pandemic with 
open and predictable trade in agricultural and food products", and 3) "COVID -19 initiative: protecting 
global food security through o pen trade"  
1.2.  This ad hoc  report covers agriculture domestic support measures adopted by Canada in 
response to the COVID -19 pandemic as of 16 September 2020. Canada notes that this ad hoc report 
is not a substitute for its domestic support notifications. Cana da will notify all relevant domestic 
support measures in the relevant notifications for the relevant years.  
1.3.  Canada has endeavoured to ensure a comprehensive list of measures adopted to respond to 
this unprecedented crisis. Canada reserves the right to modi fy and amend this list as more 
information becomes available and if it is deemed necessary to adopt or amend measures to 
effectively respond to the COVID -19 pandemic.   
  G/AG/GEN/167  
 
- 2 - Name  Canada/  
Province  Short description  Amount  Source  
Local Food 
Infrastructure 
Fund Canada  This fund will help Canadian food banks and other 
national food rescue organizations to help improve 
access to food for people experiencing food 
insecurity in Canada due to the COVID -19 pandemic. 
Funds will be used to:  1) purchase food and other 
basic necessities; 2)  buy or rent equipment and 
materials; 3)  transport and distribute food; 
4) access new distribution centres; 5)  hire 
temporary help to fill volunteer shortages; 
6) implement biosecurity measures  $100 million  https://www.agr.gc.ca/eng/agricultural -programs -and-
services/?id=1362151577626   
Mandatory 
Isolation 
Support for 
Temporary 
Foreign 
Workers 
Program  Canada  The program assists Canadian employers with some 
of the incremental costs associated with the 
mandatory 14 -day isolation period imposed under 
the Quarantine Act on temporary foreign workers 
upon entering Canada. This program provides a 
maximum non -repayable co ntribution amount of 
$1,500 for each temporary foreign worker.  $50 million  https://www.agr.gc.c a/eng/agricultural -programs -and-
services/mandatory -isolation -support -for-temporary -foreign -workers -
program/?id=1588186409721   
Surplus Food 
Rescue 
Program  Canada  This program helps manage and redirect existing 
surpluses to organizations addressing food 
insecurity and to avoid food waste. It provides an 
opportunity for non -profit and for -profit 
organizations across the supply chain to bid on 
significant volumes of surplus products at the cost 
of production or less, processing them where 
necessary for longer shelf life and distributing to 
food serving agencies.  $50 million  https://www.agr.gc.ca/eng/agricultural -programs -and-
services/surplus -food-rescue -program/?id=1591298974329   
Cattle and Hog 
Set-Aside 
(AgriRecovery)  Canada  This program helps cover the increased costs of 
feeding market ready cattle and hogs due to 
COVID -19 related processing delays, while 
redirecting surplus pork products to help those in 
need.  $150 million  https://afsc.ca/income -stabilization/agrirecovery/  
Advance 
Payments 
Program: Stay 
of Default for 
eligible farmers  Canada  Under the Advance Payments Program, 3 Stays of 
default were implemented to assist eligible 
producers who are experiencing difficulties in 
reimbursing their program loans. The Stays 
extended the repayment deadlines for 2018 
advances on Grain, Oilseeds, Pulse, Cattle, Bison, 
and also on advances for 2019 Potted Flowers and 
Cut Flowers, an d Ginseng.  N/A https://www.agr.gc.ca/eng/agricultural -programs -and-
services/advance -payments -program/?id=1462198969862    
  G/AG/GEN/167  
 
- 3 - Name  Canada/  
Province  Short description  Amount  Source  
Plan to develop  
agriculture 
sector and 
create jobs  Newfoundland 
and Labrador  The funding is part of a plan to support employment 
in rural communities and help open new markets 
and products for renewable resource -based 
businesses during the COVID -19 global pandemic. 
Fundi ng provides direct and indirect support to 
various agriculture commodities such as beef, 
vegetables, and beekeeping, as well as new entrants 
to agriculture.  $12.81  million  https://www.gov .nl.ca/releases/2020/exec/0619n02/   
10% Reduction 
in Crop 
insurance 
Premiums  Nova Scotia  10% discount applied to Crop Insurance premiums 
for 2020.  $0.105 million  N/A 
Temporary 
Foreign Worker 
Isolation 
Protocol for 
Agriculture and 
Aquaculture  Nova Scotia  Determine a path with government for isolating 
temporary foreign workers (TFWs) in Nova Scotia for 
the 2020 season for the mandated 14 -day period. 
Support agriculture and seafood companies in 
successfully isolating their TFWs during the 
mandated per iod with appropriate provincial 
government departments including Nova Scotia 
Public Health and Labour and Advanced Education  $0.125 million  N/A 
Risk 
Management 
Program  Ontario  Due to COVID -19, funding for the Risk Management 
Program has been expanded a year earlier than 
planned by $50 million from $100 million to 
$150 million. Producers support under the Risk 
Management Program is limited by the availability of 
funding.  $50 million  https://www.agricorp.com/en -ca/Programs/RMP/Pages/Overview.aspx   
Ontario -Canada 
Agri-Food 
Workplace 
Protection 
Program  Ontario  Additional provincial funding to the Agri -Food 
Workplace Protection Program. To help producer 
businesses address immediate health and safety 
issues directly related to COVID -19 impacts through 
the Enhanced Agri -Food Workplace Protection 
Program. In additio n to helping producer 
businesses, the enhanced program makes funding 
available to businesses that provide off -farm 
primary packing services and businesses that 
provide corn detasseling services  $15 million  http://www.omafra.gov.on.ca/english/cap/capproducers.htm   
Financial 
investment to 
support the 
recruitment of 
agricultural 
workers  Québec  Bonus of $100 per week to agricultural workers, 
creation of a new program for the movement o f the 
workforce, establishment of squads in the field and 
financial support to help matching farm businesses 
with new workers  $45 million  http://www.fil -
inform ation.gouv.qc.ca/Pages/Article.aspx?idArticle=2804171249    
  G/AG/GEN/167  
 
- 4 - Name  Canada/  
Province  Short description  Amount  Source  
Loan guarantee 
of up to 
$50,000 
(Financière 
agricole du 
Québec)  Québec  Loan guarantee available to all financing clients of la 
Financière agricole du Québec experiencing 
temporary liquidity problems related to the context 
of the COVID -19 pandemic.  N/A https://www.fadq.qc.ca/salle -de-presse/actualites/details/une -
garantie -de-pret-pouvant -aller-jusqua -50-000/  
6-month 
moratorium on 
loan repayment 
(Financière 
agricole du 
Québec)  Québec  6-month moratorium on loan repayment to all 
clients of la Financière agricole du Québec.  N/A https://www.fadq.qc.ca/fr/salle -de-presse/actualites/details/la -
financiere -agricole -du-quebec -met-en-place-de-nouvelles -mesures -
pour-accompagner -les-producteurs -1/  
Special 
COVID -19 
Response 
Initiative  Manitoba  This $3 million Special COVID -19 Response Initiative 
assists Agri -Processors, Industry Organizations and 
Industry Servi ce Providers  to adapt production 
processes and implement new strategies and 
technologies to mitigate the impact of COVID -19 and 
ensure the security of the food supply and 
competitiveness of the agriculture sector.  $3 million  https://www.gov.mb.ca/agriculture/canadian -agricultural -
partnership/ag -action -manitoba -program/financial -assistance -covid-
19.html   
Northern MB 
Food Security 
Support  Manitoba  Canada and Manitoba will be providing a total of 
$200,000 through the Canadian Agriculture 
Partnership (CAP) to support innovative projects 
that directly increase northern food supply. The CAP 
will also provide $4 0,000 to support the 
development and implementation of a training 
program to pair communities with provincial 
agriculture experts.  
In addition, the Manitoba government is investing 
$370,000 to support local food production and food 
security in northern com munities.  $0.71 million  https://news.gov.mb.ca/news/index.html?item=48579&posted=2020 -
07-13  
Local Cooking 
Initiative  Manitoba  Funding will be provided to the Manitoba Association 
of Home Economists through the Canadian 
Agricultural Partnership to develop and promote 
printable electronic resources on food literacy and 
safe preparation of affordable and available food, 
with an emphasis on Manitoba -produced 
ingredients. MA HE will collaborate with 
community -based non -profits working with 
vulnerable populations, experts in public health and 
food safety, and the supply chain to ensure their 
work complements other existing resources and is 
accessible to Manitobans.  $0.07 million  https://news.gov.mb.ca/news/index.html?item=48571&posted=2020 -
07-10   
  G/AG/GEN/167  
 
- 5 - Name  Canada/  
Province  Short description  Amount  Source  
Food 
Distribution 
model  Manitoba  Direct Farm Manitoba to purchase a software 
platform that will allow Manitobans to order food 
online from local producers and farmers' markets. 
The funding will also go toward the development of 
a network of pickup and delivery options to connect 
consumers with their orders, and the development 
of COVID -19 safe h andling and packaging practices 
for producers and processors.  $0.16 million  https://news.gov.mb.ca/news/index.html?item=47638&posted=2020 -
04-27  
Cattle set aside  Manito ba Manitoba will develop and administer an 
AgriRecovery  program funded by Canada only, to 
address increased feed costs incurred by Manitoba 
cattle finishers. The program will focus on the 
extraordinary costs incurred to feed cattle beyond 
scheduled sale/slaughter dates. Program payments 
will be based on a per head per day basis without 
excessive administrative burden. Maximum 
payment will be $75.60/head. Payment based on 
number of eligible feed days and number of eligible 
animals.  $1 million  N/A 
Saskatchewan 
Premium 
Rebate  Saskatchewan  The Government of Saskat chewan will help livestock 
producers manage the impacts of COVID -19 related 
market disruptions by funding up to $5 million to 
partially offset higher premium costs under the 
Western Livestock Price Insurance 
Program  (WLPIP). The provincial government will 
provide 40% of the increased premium costs, dating 
back to 25  February 2020. These premium 
adjustments will be in place until 1 September 2020, 
at which time the provincial government will review 
and reassess.  $5 million  https://www.scic.ca/?/wlpip/saskatchewan -premium -rebate   
Livestock Set 
Aside Program  Saskatchewan  The Saskatchewan government will fund the 40% 
provincial contribution to the AgriRecovery set -aside 
program. Saskatchewan livestock producers will be 
able to access a total of $12.5 million under the 
set-aside program; $7.5 million federal funding and 
$5 million provincial.  $12.5 million  https://www.saskatchewan.ca/government/news -and-
media/2020/may/14/supporting -livestock -producers   
2020 
Canada/Alberta 
Fed Cattle Feed 
Cost Offset 
Initiative 
Developed due 
to COVID -19 Alberta  The program: (i) provides compensation for the 
extraordinary feed costs incurred by eligible 
participants due to the reduced slaughter capacity 
and backlog resulting from  the COVID -19 global 
pandemic; and (ii) support the management of 
market ready cattle through the slaughtering 
process.  $25.92 Million  https://afsc.ca/income -stabilization/agrirecovery/    
  G/AG/GEN/167  
 
- 6 - Name  Canada/  
Province  Short description  Amount  Source  
Agriculture 
Training 
Support  Alberta  Provide a grant to eligible employers (agricultural 
and horticultural businesses) to offset the co sts of 
training and ensuring safety protocols are in place 
for new employees hired from the available domestic 
labour pool.  $5 Million  https://cap.alberta.ca/CAP/program/TRAINING   
Alberta 
Beekeep er 
Stock 
Replacement  Alberta  Provide support to commercial beekeepers to 
mitigate the incremental costs that have arisen due 
to the COVID -19 pandemic for the purchase of 
colonies.  $1 Million  https://cap.alberta.ca/CAP/program/BEES   
Temporary 
Foreign Worker 
Supports  British 
Columbia  Provided accommodation supports for the two -week 
quarantine required for entry into Canada of 
Temporary Fo reign Workers. Includes security, 
laundry, 3 meals per day, wellness walks, service 
BC wellness checks (on phone), translation, etc..  $17 million  N/A 
B.C. Farmers 
Markets 
transition to 
Online Systems  British 
Columbia  Funding to support B.C. Farmers' Markets to 
transition to online sales  $0.05 million  https://bcfarmersmarket.org/modifying -market -operations -covid19/   
E-Commerce 
for B.C. 
Producers and 
Processors  British 
Columbia  Funding to support B.C. producers and processors to 
develop e -commerce platforms. The B.C. 
government is providing $300,000 (up to 
$5,00  available/applicant) to support industry -led 
Buy BC e -commerce activities.  $0.3 million  https://news.gov.bc.ca/releases/2020AGRI0023 -001022   
Agri-Business 
Planning 
Program 
COVID -19 
Recovery  British 
Columbia  Funding to provide specialized business consultancy 
services to agriculture, seafood and agri -food 
producers/processors who have seen a drastic loss 
in sales due to COVID -19. $5000 for individuals; up 
to $30,000 for groups  N/A https://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/industry/agriculture -
seafood/programs/agri -business -planning -program?#Specialized -
Business -Planning   
Domestic 
Temporary 
Worker 
Accommodation 
Supports  British 
Columbia  Provided funding to regional municipalities to 
develop safe accommodation spaces for inter -
provincial workers and workers who use non -
permanent accommodations (tents, trailors, etc.). 
Reimburse 70%  of the cost of funding up to  $7,500 
for approved activitie s under Food Safety 
Improvement COVID -19 N/A https://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/industry/agriculture -
seafood/programs/bc -domestic -temporary -farm-workers -covid-19-
ppe-supports -program   
On Farm Food 
Safety 
Program -PPE 
for COVID -19 British 
Columbia  Eligible companies can seek funding to acquire 
Personal Protective Equipment and other approved 
safety supplies  for use at their facilities, in order to 
maintain a safe workplace and mitigate the impacts 
of COVID -19. Reimburses up to 70% of costs for 
Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) to a maximum 
of $1,000 per organization within eligible guidelines.  N/A http://bconfarmfoodsafety.com/covid -19-resources/    
  G/AG/GEN/167  
 
- 7 - Name  Canada/  
Province  Short description  Amount  Source  
Temporary 
Foreign Worker 
Supports  British 
Columbia  Provided one -time funding to support the Western 
Agriculture Labour Initiative in ensuring access to 
temporary foreign workers through coordination 
supports  $0.05 million  N/A 
B.C. Farm, 
Fish & Food Job 
Connector  British 
Columbia  Development of a job connector for employers and 
employees  $0.015 million  N/A 
 
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