In response to the threat or potential realization of U.S. tariffs, the Canadian government has announced financial assistance measures for individuals and businesses, including farm businesses. Below is a summary of some existing and new financial assistance measures that may be relevant to your Ontario farm business.
Please note: this summary is provided for information purposes only and that program details may have been amended since this summary was published. Therefore, readers should rely on official program guidelines instead of this summary when applying.
New Programs
Farm Credit Canada (FCC)’s Trade Disruption Customer Support program
Overview: As part of the March 7, 2025, federal announcement, Farm Credit Canada (FCC) will offer $1 billion in new lending. FFC’s Trade Disruption Customer Support Program features access to additional credit line of up to $500,000 along with new term loans. FCC customers will have the option to defer principal payments for up to 12 months on current loans.
Who is eligible: New applicants and existing Farm Credit Canada borrowers, who meet the necessary lending criteria are eligible. Businesses must be financially viable prior to the impact of the tariff. FCC does not provide funds in the form of grants or other interest-free loans.
How to apply: To discuss your situation and options, talk to a FCC Relationship Manager or call 1-800-387- 3232 to be connected to a local FCC office.
Website for more details: www.fcc-fac.ca/en/financing/trade-disruption-customer-support-program#3Y0LzC3=0
Business Development Bank of Canada (BDC)’s Pivot to Grow program
Overview: As part of the March 7, 2025, federal announcement, Business Development Bank of Canada (BDC) will offer $500 million in new lending. BDC’s Pivot to Grow program will provide financing, advice and loan deferrals to small and medium-sized businesses (SMEs) financially impacted by the chill effects of potential or imposed US tariffs. The financing and deferrals will be focused on SMEs supported by a viable business model with direct sales into the US market, or those in supply chains with direct exposure to the US. The support is reserved for SMEs that have experienced paused or cancelled contracts, increased costs or other direct impacts upon their financials because of US tariff uncertainty. Recognizing that every business is unique, BDC will continue to evaluate and analyze the evolving situation and will adapt its support to the needs of the entrepreneur.
Who is eligible: Small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) that export a minimum of 25% of their sales to the USA; have annual sales of at least $2 million, with positive cash flow and demonstrated profitability.
How to apply: Submit an online loan request at www.bdc.ca/en/financing/pivot-grow-loan/pivot-grow-loan-form
Website for more details: www.bdc.ca/en/financing/pivot-grow-loan
Canada’s Employment Insurance (EI)’s Work-Sharing Program
Overview: As part of the March 7, 2025, federal announcement, Canada announced new Temporary Work-Sharing measures under Employment Insurance. Special measures for the Work-Sharing Program in response to the threat or potential realization of U.S. tariffs are in effect from March 7, 2025, until March 6, 2026. Government is making some changes to broaden the types of employers and employees who can benefit from the work-sharing program. For profit and charitable sectors are now eligible. Employees working in cyclical or seasonal jobs are also eligible. The government is also expanding the maximum length of agreements from 38 weeks up to 76 weeks.
Work-Sharing is an adjustment program designed to help employers and employees avoid layoffs when there is a temporary reduction in the normal level of business activity that is beyond the control of the employer. It provides income support to employees eligible for Employment Insurance benefits who work a temporarily reduced work week while their employer recovers.
Who is eligible: Employers experiencing a decline in business activity attributable to the threat or potential realization of U.S. tariffs may be eligible for Work-Sharing special measures if they are operating in Canada for a minimum of 1 year; and have a minimum of two EI eligible employees who agree to a reduction in hours and to share any available work.
How to apply: Submit an application for a work-sharing agreement: https://www.canada.ca/en/employment-social-development/services/work-sharing/apply.html#gc-document-nav
Website for more details: https://www.canada.ca/en/employment-social-development/services/work-sharing.html
Export Development Canada (EDC)’s Trade Impact program
Overview: As part of the March 7, 2025, federal announcement, Export Development Canada (EDC) will offer $5 billion in new facilities over 2 years to help exporters reach new markets for Canadian products and help companies navigate the challenges imposed by the tariffs, including losses from non-payment, currency fluctuations, lack of access to cash flows, and barriers to expansion.
Who is eligible: Canadian exporters.
How to apply: Contact your EDC relationship manager or call 1-800-229-0575.
Website for more details: www.edc.ca/en/campaign/trade-support-canadian-companies.html
Existing Programs
Ontario’s Risk Management Program (RMP) (including SDRM)
Overview: Ontario’s Risk Management Program (RMP) provides financial assistance when market commodity prices fall below established support levels for eligible livestock and grains and oilseeds commodities. As part of the RMP program, Self-Directed Risk Management (SDRM) accounts enable eligible horticultural producers to receive Ontario government contributions when producer deposits are made, up to the maximum indicated on the deposit notice. The SDRM deposit maximum is based on eligible Allowable Net Sales.
Who is eligible: Livestock, grains & oilseed, edible horticulture producers of eligible commodities can participate in the RMP program. Applicants must meet the eligibility criteria outlined in the program guidelines (available from Agricorp).
How to apply: Contact Agricorp at 1-888-247-4999.
Website for more details: www.agricorp.com/en-ca/Programs/RMP/Pages/Overview.aspx
Canada/Ontario’s Agri-Invest Program
Overview: The Agri-Invest program allows farmers to make an annual deposit into an account based on their Allowable Net Sales (ANS) and then receive matching government contributions up to a maximum government contribution of $10,000 per year. Participants can withdraw funds from their account at any time after the matching funds have been received.
Who is eligible: Farmers reporting farming income for tax purposes are eligible. However, a yearly minimum ANS of $25,000 is required to trigger the minimum matchable deposit of $250. Also, sales of supply-managed commodities are excluded from the ANS calculation.
How to apply: To participate, farming individuals must submit a T1163 income tax form to Canada Revenue Agency. Corporations must submit a Statement A to Agricorp.
Website for more details: https://agriculture.canada.ca/en/programs/agriinvest
Canada/Ontario’s Agri-Stability Program
Overview: The Agri-Stability Program is a whole-farm, margin-based program available to eligible farmers regardless of the commodities they produce. Under the Agri-Stability Program, a farm operation’s current year margin (eligible income minus eligible expenses) is compared to the farm operation’s reference margin. A government payment is made to the farmer when the farm’s margin in the current year (program year margin) is lower by an amount that exceeds 30% of the farm’s reference margin.
Who is eligible: Farmers reporting farming income for tax purposes are eligible as long as they have completed a production cycle and have completed at least six consecutive months of farming activity in the program year.
How to apply: Contact Agricorp at 1-888-247-4999
Website for more details: www.agricorp.com/en-ca/Programs/AgriStability/Pages/Overview.aspx
Canada/Ontario’s Production Insurance Program
Overview: Production Insurance coverage provides financial compensation for production losses caused by eligible perils. Some of these eligible perils include drought, flood, wind, frost, excessive rain, heat, snow, uncontrolled disease, insect infestations and wildlife.
Who is eligible: Farmers producing an insurable agricultural commodity.
How to apply: Apply to Agricorp (1-888-247-4999) for coverage under Production Insurance or make changes to existing coverage.
Website for more details: www.agricorp.com/en-ca/Programs/ProductionInsurance/Pages/Default.aspx
Canada’s Advance Payment Program
Overview: On March 7, 2025, the Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada announced that the Advance Payments Program (APP) interest-free limit will be set at $250,000 for the 2025 program year. This is the portion of advances on which the Government of Canada pays the interest on behalf of producers. The change will give producers access to additional cash flow and interest savings to help cover costs until they sell their products.
Who is eligible: Financing available year-round providing up to 18 months of financing for over 4,000 different commodities such as grains and oilseeds, vegetables, livestock, ginseng, hemp, and even potted plants.
How to apply: APP borrowers in Ontario should contact the Agricultural Credit Corporation (1-866-608-7072)
Website for more details: www.agcreditcorp.ca/loan-programs/advance-payments-program-app/
