Payment of Financial Assistance

The assistance offered is a lump sum equal to 2% of the arm’s length wage expenditure submitted by the business for the previous year.

A 0.4% bonus will be calculated if your business is majority owned by one or more persons from the targeted groups. These groups have been selected by the federal government to promote their representation in the agricultural sector.

Women

Persons declared to be female at birth or who self-identify as female.

Aspiring farmers

People under 40 years of age.

Indigenous

Persons registered on a band list, persons registered as Indians under the Indian Act who may or may not reside on a reserve, Métis, Inuit.

Visible minorities

Persons other than Indigenous people who are non-Caucasian or non-white in colour.

Persons with disabilities

Persons who have a long-term or recurring physical, mental, sensory, psychiatric, or learning impairment.

It is possible to combine two or more people from different target groups. For example: 30% of the shares held by a woman and 30% of the shares held by an aspiring farmer result in 60% of the shares held by people from the target groups. Consequently, the bonus will be calculated.

You may apply for a higher or lower amount of assistance than the lump sum allowance. However, if you request a higher amount of assistance than the calculated lump sum, you must provide all the supporting documents substantiating the total eligible expenses incurred. Under these circumstances, the financial assistance may represent up to 50% of the total eligible expenses, or 60% if your business is majority owned by one or more of the individuals eligible for the bonus.

This financial assistance of up to $100,000 can be paid in one or more instalments. Also, this assistance is not considered as allowable income under the AgriInvest and AgriStability programs.

To see if you have received a payment, go to your online file. Under the Communications tab, you will be able to see a payment slip as soon as a payment has been made. 

A farm loses all rights to financial assistance in the following circumstances:

• It makes a false declaration in order to obtain the financial assistance.
• It does not comply with the terms of payment of the financial assistance.
• It is under the authority of the Bankruptcy and Insolvency Act, is the subject of proceedings under that Act, or steps are being taken for its liquidation or dissolution.
• It does not comply with the laws and regulations in effect regarding the applicable health rules adopted by Québec and Canadian public authorities in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic, is the subject of legal proceedings or refuses to comply with such laws and regulations.