Federal Supports
Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada (AAFC)
Up-to-date Q&As on labour, trade, financial supports, animal health, and more.
- AAFC Financial Support Information Portal
- COVID-19 Information for the Agriculture and Agri-Food Industry
Farm Credit Canada Loans
FCC is offering loan payment deferral options, access to credit and other supports.
Canada Emergency Wage Subsidy (CEWS)
A subsidy for employers who have seen a drop in revenue due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Canada Recovery Sickness Benefit
Income support for employed or self-employed individuals who are sick or need to self-isolate.
Canada Recovery Caregiving Benefit
Income support for employed or self-employed individuals who can't work because they must care for a dependant.
Provincial Supports
COVID-19 Farmer Toolkit
Get access to agriculture-specific resources, find out how to prevent a COVID‑19 (coronavirus) outbreak on your farm and how your workers can get tested.
Enhanced Agri-food Workplace Protection Program
The Ontario government is providing continued support to allow more farmers and agri-food operators to purchase personal protective equipment, enhance cleaning and disinfection and redesign workstations. Farms and agri-food businesses that hire three or more employees will be eligible for funding.
Agricorp COVID-19 Support
Agricorp regularly offers production insurance and risk management programs updates as circumstances shift during the pandemic. You can also contact Agricorp's Customer Care at 1-888-247-4999, but calls and claims related to financial distress will be top priority.
Support for Employers
Canada Emergency Wage Subsidy (CEWS)
A subsidy for employers who have seen a drop in revenue due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Ontario Employer Health Tax exemption increase
This exemption has been increased from $490,000 to $1 million for 2020, due to the coronavirus.
Health & Safety
Vaccinations
For the latest data about COVID-19 vaccinations, please go to covid-19.ontario.ca/data. To find out more about the vaccine, how to book an appointment to get your vaccine, get a copy of your proof of vaccination and more, please go to covid-19.ontario.ca/covid-19-vaccines-ontario.
Testing for agri-food workers
Temporary Foreign Workers (TFWs) can access publicly funded PCR diagnostic testing if they have symptoms or exposure to a positive case AND for travel purposes. Rapid antigen testing is available for unvaccinated TFWs and other farm workers if they are asymptomatic.
Ontario Government Guidelines
Sector-specific resources, best practices and information to help protect workers and customers.
Outbreak Guidance: Workplace and Living Settings for Seasonal International Agriculture Workers
- Guidance for the Health Sector (info on travelers from outside Canada)
- Outbreak Guidance: Workplace and Living Settings for Seasonal Workers
Finding PPE Suppliers
Ontario has launched a supplier list directory.
Infection Prevention Training
Public Services Health & Safety Association has developed a 30-minute eLearning program for workers about infection prevention and control:
Provincial Information Lines
Stop the Spread Business Information Line
Get answers about closures of at-risk workplaces or how emergency measures may impact your operations or employment: 1-888-444-3659.
OMAFRA Agricultural Information Contact Centre
Farmers and other agri-food businesses can get information on the government’s response to COVID-19 at 1-877-424-1300 or ag.info.omafra@ontario.ca.
Farmer Mental Health
For information and resources visit here.