Agriculture & Agri-Food Canada News Release
July 31, 2006

CANADA'S NEW GOVERNMENT COMMITS $550 MILLION PROGRAM
TO HELP LOWER INCOME FARM FAMILIES

WINNIPEG, Manitoba - Following up on commitments made in Budget 2006, the Honourable Chuck Strahl, Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada and Minister for the Canadian Wheat Board today announced an innovative new program to help lower-income farm families.

The Canadian Farm Families Options Program will:

  • help lower-income farm families explore options to raise their income for the future. Applicants must commit to use business planning and skills development programs.
  • provide short-term income support to lower-income farm families. Eligible applicants will receive a payment that will bring them to a maximum income of $25,000 for families and $15,000 for individuals if they have a commercial farm.

"This new government is committed to helping farmers who are under financial stress," said Minister Strahl. "Our new program not only gives short-term financial relief to those struggling farm families, but helps them look at ways to improve their income for the long-term."

Options is a pilot program, with a federal commitment of $550 million over two years. This program also offers additional business and technical assistance for which the federal government is covering the cost.

Application forms are now available on the program web site and will be accepted until October 31, 2006. Payments will be made to farmers this fall.

Discussions are underway with Quebec to determine how the program will be delivered and a decision will be made shortly.

The announcement is part of this government's ongoing commitment to agriculture.

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For information:
Producers can call toll free 1-866-367-8506