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By Chris Brown

Update from the PM

Trudeau announces $250M aid package for agri-food sector

May 5, 2020 | 9:58 AM

Just as farmers and ranchers get ready to ramp up operations for the year the federal government is announcing a significant financial aid package.

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau announced an emergency aid package worth about $250 million today for one of the sectors hit hardest by the COVID-19 pandemic.

From that, more than $77 million will go to food processors to protect the safety of workers.

“This is money they can use to purchase personal protective equipment for workers, adapt to health protocols and support other social distancing measures,” said Trudeau.

The prime minister also announced as part of the $250 million a national recovery initiative worth $125 million to help producers adjust to changes in the market place. Some are dealing with an excess of animals on the farm longer than planned due to the pandemic. Capacity at meat processing plants has been reduced due to outbreaks. JBS in Brooks and the Cargill plant in High River have both seen outbreaks.

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Asked why it’s up to the government to keep workers employed by multi-national corporations safe, Trudeau said the government is supporting the provinces on their initiatives to keep workers safe and are happy to do that as a shared responsibility.

“We’re in an unprecedented crisis, we need to keep people safe and we also need to ensure a supply of food for Canadians,” he said.

Asked about the cramped conditions many of these workers are also live in, Trudeau said part of the money being sent is to look at the different ways employers can keep their employees and these workers safe

“These are things the provinces will have to look at very closely but the federal government as always will be there to support and make sure Canadians’ food supply is safe while we keep people safe from COVID-19.”

Trudeau also said there will $50 million put aside for a Surplus Food Purchase Program. It will see the “buy large quantities of certain products at risk of going to waste, say, potatoes or poultry, and redistribute them to organizations addressing food insecurity.”

Speaking at his daily address outside Rideau Cottage, Trudeau thanked everyone working in the agriculture industry doing their part to keep the food supply strong. He said that these days especially, cooking and baking has taken on a greater meaning

“It’s also about relieving stress, finding a community, supporting each other, creating memories,” he said. “You help make that possible so we’re here for all of you in the agri-food industry and we will continue to be here for you.”

Trudeau said this money is a first effort and more will be done if needed.

“We know that there is more to do and we will keep working with them to determine exactly how we can best help,” said the prime minister about help for other sectors of the agri-food sector.

Two weeks ago, the Canadian Federation of Agriculture urged the government to make food security one of its top priorities, behind only protecting the health of Canadians.

The prime minister rejected the notion that the government had been focused on helping urban areas first.

“We’ve been very diligent with responding to the agriculture industry across the country, including a significant announcement today that’s going to help people right across the country,” he said.

He also said measures such as the Canada Emergency Response Benefit, the Canada Emergency Wage Subsidy and others help people in both urban and rural settings.