You may have seen articles floating around social media in the last 24 hours regarding temporary foreign workers and Canada’s border closure. Unfortunately, the information being circulated via media on announcements allowing temporary foreign workers to enter Canada is not valid. We have confirmed this with CFA.
CFA and agriculture industry partners have been working tirelessly to develop a strategy for consideration and remain cautiously optimistic.
Today during our daily call with Minister Colwell and MP Kody Blois we discussed the following topics:
- Importance of career promotion of agriculture
- Requested formal communication be posted that meat inspectors are considered to be essential service
- Discussed opportunities to provide some financial relief through Farm Loan Board, Farm Credit Canada and Chartered Banks in the form of interest free deferrals and access to lines of credit to support cashflow
- Requested further consideration be given to AgriStability being increased to 85%
- Requested consideration be given to increase the interest free amount of APP for all commodities and allow payment deferrals without penalty
We are committed to doing the best we can for our members and will continue to update you on the efforts being made across the agriculture industry in the wake of COVID-19.
Look after yourselves and each other,
Victor Oulton
President
Nova Scotia Federation of Agriculture