On Tuesday, Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food Marie-Claude Bibeau announced that applications are now being accepted for Manitoba farmers under the Emergency On-Farm Support Fund.
The goal of the $1.9 million investment is to help farmers better protect the health and safety of farm workers in Manitoba during the COVID-19 outbreak.
Applications will be accepted starting November 10th.
"Everyone needs to feel safe and supported when they go to work. Protecting the health and well-being of all farm workers who are helping ensure the food security for Canadians has been a top priority since the beginning of the pandemic," said Bibeau. "With this program, Manitoba farmers will have the support they need to ensure the right measures are in place to safeguard their employees’ health and safety and limit the spread of the virus.”
Eligible activities include direct infrastructure improvements to living quarters and work stations, temporary or emergency housing (on or off-farm), as well as personal protective equipment (PPE), sanitary stations, work stations and any other health and safety measures that safeguard the health and safety of Canadian and temporary foreign workers from COVID-19.
Contributions under the AAFC-managed program will be cost-shared 50:50 with the applicants up to $100,000. An additional 10 per cent will be provided to women, youth, visible minorities, Indigenous Peoples, and Persons with disabilities, amounting to a 60:40 split.
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