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JOIN THE CONVERSATION @ONTTENDERFRUIT
INSIDE THIS ISSUE:
CAP Funding for Producers
1
CEWS & Rent Subsidy
1
CEBA Updates 2
OPMA Awards 2
Enhanced Agri-Food Workplace Protection
2
2021 Production Insurance
3
OFVC Educational Series
3
Save the Dates 3
Preparing for 2021 Season Webinar
4
CALA Program 5
National Commodity List Expanded
5
FOI Request Update
5
Foodland Calendars
5
CanAg Plus AGM 6
In Memoriam 6
Holiday Office Closure
6
DECEMBER 2020
Newsletter
THANK YOU TO OUR SPONSORS!
CAP Funding for Producers - Now OpenThere are 2 areas of funding
available. Deadline for applications is January 6, 2021:Deadline
for applications is January 6, 2021:Click here for details related
to CAP Producer Hort categories -
https://ontarioprogramguides.net/category/producer/crops-and-horticulture-producer/Click
here for details related to CAP Other Business categories -
https://ontarioprogramguides.net/category/other-business/enhancing-plant-health-other/
If you have a specific project idea in mind, you are strongly
encouraged to speak with an OSCIA rep before submitting the
application. You should also plan to submit the application as soon
as possible. Contact: OSCIA Field Staff | OSCIA
(ontariosoilcrop.org). If your rep isn’t available (they are
sometimes leading workshops) please try calling a different rep for
assistance.
CEWS and Rent SubsidyThere have been changes announced to the
Canadian Emergency Wage Subsidy (CEWS) including the introduction
of the Emergency Rent Subsidy to businesses, non profits and
charities, with details as follows:• the subsidy is extended to
June 2021• the maximum subsidy rate for periods 8 to 10 will remain
at 65% (40% base rate + 25% top-up)• beginning in period 8, the
top-up rate and base rate are now calculated using the same
one-month revenue drop or periods 8 to 10 (use the new top-up
calculation or the previous 3-month average drop, whichever works
in your favour)
• the deadline to apply is January 31, 2021, or 180 days after
the end of the claim period, whichever comes later
• starting in period 9, the calculation for employees on leave
with pay now aligns better with EI benefits
• you can now calculate pre-crisis pay (baseline remuneration)
for employees who were on certain kinds of leave, retroactive to
period 5
• the Canada Emergency Rent Subsidy (CERS) has been introduced
for businesses, non-profits, and charities
• Canadian businesses, non-profit organizations, or charities
who have seen a drop in revenue due to the COVID-19 pandemic may be
eligible for a subsidy to cover part of their commercial rent or
property expenses, starting on September 27, 2020, until June
2021.
• This subsidy will provide payments directly to qualifying
renters and property owners, without requiring the participation of
landlords.
Further details can be found at the following link:
https://www.canada.ca/en/revenue-agency/services/subsidy/emergency-wage-subsidy/cews-what-changes.html
http://www.belchim.com/https://nufarm.com/ca/?region=west®ion_ttl=0https://ontarioprogramguides.net/category/other-business/enhancing-plant-health-other/https://ontarioprogramguides.net/category/other-business/enhancing-plant-health-other/https://www.ontariosoilcrop.org/association/contact-us/oscia-field-staff/https://www.ontariosoilcrop.org/association/contact-us/oscia-field-staff/?utm_source=mailpoet&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=canadian-agricultural-partnership-intake-dates-announced_39https://www.canada.ca/en/revenue-agency/services/subsidy/emergency-wage-subsidy/cews-who-employees.html#baselineremunerationhttps://www.canada.ca/en/revenue-agency/services/subsidy/emergency-wage-subsidy/cews-who-employees.html#baselineremunerationhttps://www.canada.ca/en/revenue-agency/services/subsidy/emergency-rent-subsidy.htmlhttps://www.canada.ca/en/revenue-agency/services/subsidy/emergency-wage-subsidy/cews-what-changes.htmlhttps://www.canada.ca/en/revenue-agency/services/subsidy/emergency-wage-subsidy/cews-what-changes.htmlhttps://www.canada.ca/en/revenue-agency/services/subsidy/emergency-wage-subsidy/cews-what-changes.html
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Page 2DECEMBER 2020 ISSUE
Canadian Emergency Business AccountCEBA requirements and
deadlines have changed:• As of December 4, 2020, CEBA loans for
eligible
businesses will increase from $40,000 to $60,000.• Applicants
who have received the $40,000 CEBA loan
may apply for the $20,000 expansion, which provides eligible
businesses with an additional $20,000 in financing.
• All applicants have until March 31, 2021, to apply for $60,000
CEBA loan or the $20,000 expansion.
Details at the following link: https://ceba-cuec.ca/
OPMA AwardsFive of the Ontario produce industry’s hardworking
individuals were honoured November 19 at the Ontario Produce
Marketing Association’s (OPMA) Virtual Awards Ceremony.
• The Cory Clack-Streef Produce Person of the Year Award - Peter
Quiring, founder and president of Nature Fresh Farms
• The OPMA Fresh Award - Tom Heeman, chair of the Berry Growers
of Ontario
• The OPMA Outstanding Achievement Award - Joe Sbrocchi
• OPMA Lifetime Achievement Award - Gord Love from North
American Produce Buyers & Vince Pillitteri from Seaway
Farms.
Vince has been active in the Niagara Tender Fruit Industry since
1970. A prominent member of several organizations, Vince has
dedicated his life to growing and improving the Ontario produce
industry. Congrats Vince!
Enhanced Agri-Food Workplace Protection Program On October 13,
2020 the federal and provincial ministers of agriculture announced
Ontario’s share of the federal emergency housing funding originally
announced in July. This funding is being delivered in Ontario as
part of the Enhanced Agri-Food Workplace Program and the details of
this funding have now been updated on OMAFRA’s website. There are
different program guides available, depending on the size and type
of project being undertaken:
On-Farm Worker Safety Improvement Program: Larger project
funding (60% funding up to 100K per business/property for projects
over $15,000)
Program Guide:
http://www.omafra.gov.on.ca/english/about/agrifoodprogram_guide3.htm#cost
Application Form:
http://www.omafra.gov.on.ca/english/about/agrifoodprogramfwsi.pdf
Occupational Health and Safety Measures: Projects to implement
preventative health and safety measures (now up to $15,000 from
previous $7,500)
Program Guide:
http://www.omafra.gov.on.ca/english/about/agrifoodprogram_guide1-2.htm
Application form:
http://www.omafra.gov.on.ca/english/about/agrifoodprogramohsm.pdf
Supports for extraordinary costs resulting from employees that
test positive for COVID-19:The Enhanced Agri-food Workplace
Protection Program also provides funding support to eligible
employers faced with extraordinary costs related to worker
isolation and employee wage supports due to a positive COVID-19
test result.
More information:
http://www.omafra.gov.on.ca/english/about/agrifoodprogramwwie.pdf
http://www.omafra.gov.on.ca/english/about/agrifoodprogram_guide3.htm#costhttp://www.omafra.gov.on.ca/english/about/agrifoodprogram_guide3.htm#costhttp://www.omafra.gov.on.ca/english/about/agrifoodprogramfwsi.pdfhttp://www.omafra.gov.on.ca/english/about/agrifoodprogramfwsi.pdfhttp://www.omafra.gov.on.ca/english/about/agrifoodprogram_guide1-2.htmhttp://www.omafra.gov.on.ca/english/about/agrifoodprogramohsm.pdfhttp://www.omafra.gov.on.ca/english/about/agrifoodprogramohsm.pdfhttp://www.omafra.gov.on.ca/english/about/agrifoodprogramwwie.pdfhttp://www.omafra.gov.on.ca/english/about/agrifoodprogramwwie.pdf
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DECEMBER 2020 ISSUEPage 3
2021 Production Insurance Coverage This year, producers have
more time to assess their individual circumstances and make
informed decisions on insurance coverage.
Due to the current circumstances, Agricorp has updated the
following timelines for the 2021 program year:• Producers have
until January 4, 2021, to sign up and
make coverage changes. Coverage options and premium rates are
now available on agricorp.com
• We are waiving the premium deposit – customer will receive an
invoice for the full amount of premium in the spring of 2021.
• Producers will receive their 2021 Production Insurance renewal
package in late January.
New coverage levels availableStarting this year, customers can
buy more Production Insurance coverage for their fruit crops. The
government has added new coverage levels for more options and
flexibility to manage the risks. Visit agricorp.com to learn more
about this change and the 2021 rates for fruit crops.
Links to the Webpages:• Grapes:
https://www.agricorp.com/en-ca/Programs/
ProductionInsurance/Grapes/Pages/Rates.aspx• Grapes claim
prices: https://www.agricorp.com/
SiteCollectionDocuments/PI-GrapeClaimPrices-en.pdf • Peaches and
nectarines: https://www.agricorp.com/en-
ca/Programs/ProductionInsurance/PeachesNectarines/Pages/Rates.aspx
• Pears:
https://www.agricorp.com/en-ca/Programs/ProductionInsurance/Pears/Pages/Rates.aspx
• Sweet Cherries:
https://www.agricorp.com/en-ca/Programs/ProductionInsurance/SweetCherries/Pages/Rates.aspx
• Sour Cherries:
https://www.agricorp.com/en-ca/Programs/ProductionInsurance/SourCherries/Pages/Rates.aspx
OFVC Educational Series
Save the Dates: AGMsDue to the uncertainty of what restrictions
will be placed on public gatherings early in the new year and out
of an abundance of caution to protect everyone’s health, the board
of directors has determined that the Tender Fruit Annual
General meetings will be held virtually via zoom in 2021 as
follows with more details to follow in the new year:• March 30th –
Districts 3 and 4 (Essex, Chatham-Kent
and Lambton)• March 31st - District 5 (Brant, Elgin, Haldimand
and
Norfolk)• April 1st- Districts 1 and 2 (Niagara Region)
https://www.agricorp.com/en-ca/Programs/ProductionInsurance/Grapes/Pages/Rates.aspxhttps://www.agricorp.com/en-ca/Programs/ProductionInsurance/Grapes/Pages/Rates.aspxhttps://www.agricorp.com/SiteCollectionDocuments/PI-GrapeClaimPrices-en.pdfhttps://www.agricorp.com/SiteCollectionDocuments/PI-GrapeClaimPrices-en.pdfhttps://www.agricorp.com/en-ca/Programs/ProductionInsurance/PeachesNectarines/Pages/Rates.aspxhttps://www.agricorp.com/en-ca/Programs/ProductionInsurance/PeachesNectarines/Pages/Rates.aspxhttps://www.agricorp.com/en-ca/Programs/ProductionInsurance/PeachesNectarines/Pages/Rates.aspxhttps://www.agricorp.com/en-ca/Programs/ProductionInsurance/Pears/Pages/Rates.aspxhttps://www.agricorp.com/en-ca/Programs/ProductionInsurance/Pears/Pages/Rates.aspxhttps://www.agricorp.com/en-ca/Programs/ProductionInsurance/SweetCherries/Pages/Rates.aspxhttps://www.agricorp.com/en-ca/Programs/ProductionInsurance/SweetCherries/Pages/Rates.aspxhttps://www.agricorp.com/en-ca/Programs/ProductionInsurance/SweetCherries/Pages/Rates.aspxhttps://www.agricorp.com/en-ca/Programs/ProductionInsurance/SourCherries/Pages/Rates.aspxhttps://www.agricorp.com/en-ca/Programs/ProductionInsurance/SourCherries/Pages/Rates.aspxhttps://www.agricorp.com/en-ca/Programs/ProductionInsurance/SourCherries/Pages/Rates.aspx
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Page 4DECEMBER 2020 ISSUE
IMPORTANT WEBINAR:
‘PREPARING FOR THE 2021 SEASON’
THURSDAY, JANUARY 14, 2021 at 12:00 PM
The Grape Growers of Ontario, Ontario Tender Fruit Growers and
Ontario Apple Growers invite you to an industry webinar to provide
important updates and information as you begin planning for the
2021 growing season. Speakers: • Honourable Ernie Hardeman,
Minister of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs • Sam Oosterhoff,
Member of Provincial Parliament, Niagara West • Scott Duff,
Director, Economic Development Policy, OMAFRA – Enhanced Agri-
Food Protection Program; Housing Update • Ken Forth, Chair,
Labour Issues Coordinating Committee – Labour Update • Melissa
Helferty, Manager, Infectious Diseases Policy and Programs
Unit,
Ministry of Health Registration: This free webinar will be held
on Zoom. Please register at
https://zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_F3SxFeklS5yphsw4ZQMEnw before
January 12th and you will be sent the webinar link 24 hours before
the event. Call 905-688-0990 ext 224 or email
[email protected] for more information.
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DECEMBER 2020 ISSUEPage 5
GUELPH, ON [November 12, 2020] – Ontario’s three general farm
organizations the Ontario Federation of Agriculture (OFA),
Christian Farmers Federation of Ontario (CFFO) and the National
Farmers Union – Ontario (NFU-O) are very pleased to share with
their membership that the Freedom of Information (FOI) request for
a list of names of all Farm Business Registrants has been
withdrawn.
FOI Request Update
National Commodity List ExpandedThe Government of Canada has
expanded the National Commodity List (NCL) to include seed corn,
oil seed, grains and maple syrup for the 2021 season. This
expansion will allow farmers who cultivate or make these products
to seek the help of workers through the Seasonal Agricultural
Worker Program (SAWP). Please visit the following link for the full
news release:
https://www.canada.ca/en/employment-social-development/news/2020/11/blank.html
Foodland CalendarsPlease enjoy the enclosed 2021 calendar
compliments of our valued friends at Foodland Ontario. We extend
our sincere thanks for their continued support of Ontario tender
fruit!
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Page 6DECEMBER 2020 ISSUE
In MemoriamDunbar Horsford, a farm worker from Grenada, passed
away suddenly from a heart attack on November 9th while working in
Niagara. He was looking forward to returning home to his wife Maria
and their three sons at the end of the month. Our heartfelt
sympathies go out to his family overseas and friends here in
Canada.
Holiday Office ClosurePlease note our office will be closed from
December 24 - January 1st, inclusive. We wish you all a very Merry
Christmas and best wishes for the new year!
The Annual General Meeting of CanAgPlus, the not-for-profit
corporation that owns and operates the CanadaGAP® Program, was held
virtually on Wednesday, December 2nd, 2020. We thank all members
who attended and participated in the meeting.
CanadaGAP program participants elected two new and two returning
directors to the CanAgPlus Board. Congratulations to the following
individuals:• Alvin Keenan, Rollo Bay Holdings• Jody Mott, Holland
Marsh Growers’ Association• Susan Ranck, Ranck and Associates•
Scott Wright, Star Produce
Director Cathy McKay (chair of the 2020 Stakeholder Advisory
Committee) and Director Mike Furi (vice-chair of the Board of
Directors for 2020) are retiring from the Board. Sincere thanks are
extended to Cathy and Mike for their dedication and contributions
to CanadaGAP.
Newly elected Board members will serve a two-year term through
to December 2022. Biographies of CanAgPlus Directors are available
here. The members have also voted in favour of two (2) resolutions
submitted by members, and one (1) special resolution brought
forward by the Board.
The 2020 Annual Report can be accessed at:
http://www.canadagap.ca/publications/annual-report/ The
corporation’s financial statements and the Annual Report
presentation are accessible from the Members Only section on the
CanadaGAP website or directly from the office. Any member may
obtain a copy upon request.
If you have any questions, call the CanadaGAP office at
613-829-4711 or send us an email at [email protected].
CanAgPlus AGM
mailto:info%40canadagap.ca?subject=