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Building A Unified Voice for Agriculture: Agriculture Updates, Supports, and News: April 2024

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Building A Unified Voice for Agriculture: Agriculture Updates, Supports, and News: April 2024

Agriculture Updates since March 2024

Headlines

Agristability and AgriInvest Program Changes under the Sustainable Canadian Agricultural Partnership
The recording for the webinar is now available: https://www.agriwebinar.com/

Minister MacAulay raises interest-free limit of the Advance Payments Program to $250,000 for 2024
Find out more. 

Alberta has launched a $125 million Drought and Flood Protection Program to support municipalities in preparing for and mitigating the impacts of drought and floods over the next 5 years.

Farm tax planning: the basics

Tax rules are complicated. They vary from one province to another and different accountants may recommend different strategies to minimize your tax liability. So while professional tax advice is vital, it is also important to understand basic tax principles. Read more.

Consultant chosen for Eyremore Dam study

Alberta’s government has chosen Hatch Ltd. to study the feasibility of building the Eyremore Dam on the Bow River. The project would be potentially located about 43 km downstream of the Bassano Dam, east of Brooks and Lake Newell. Hatch will begin the study immediately. The report is due in spring 2025. Find out more.

Reminders for humane transport

Every day, thousands of cattle travel by trailer. Most of these animals are fit for the journey and experience no negative outcomes. However, there are instances where we must ask, 'is this animal fit to load and be transported?'

Updates to the Health of Animals Regulations Part XII, Humane Transport took effect in 2020. Now, there are certain conditions listed in legislation that determine an animal’s fitness for transport. Learn more

Keep your Premises Identification account up to date

PID links livestock and poultry to premises, which are land locations within the PID system. Having accurate animal locations, contact information and other key data in one system is critical for a quick and effective emergency response. The following PID account information should be reviewed regularly:

  • account contact information
  • emergency 24/7 contact information for the premises
  • location of the premises where animals are located (legal land description or geo-referenced coordinates)
  • type of premises/operation (e.g., farm, abattoir, livestock auction, stable)
  • types of animals raised, kept, displayed, assembled, or disposed of on the premises
  • maximum capacity for each species of animal on the premises

Producers can review and update their information online, or by calling 310-FARM (3276) for more information.

Funding Updates 

Investing in natural drought and flood protection

The province is investing $3.5 million to help make Alberta more naturally drought resilient, to prevent floods and improve water quality. The money will fund eight projects in communities across the province through the Watershed Resiliency and Restoration Program with the next opportunity opening in the summer and the next deadline date set for September 15, 2024. Read more and check out the program page.

Two ways to make the most of the Capital Cost Allowance program 

The end is near for two temporary changes to the federal Capital Cost Allowance. As you file your personal tax returns for 2023 and 2024, it’s worth considering one last time how these enhancements can be used on your farms. Find out more here.

Labour Resources

Free counselling sessions

Farming is 24-7-365, but you don't have to handle it alone. Get support from AgKnow's farm-informed counsellors and get up to four free counselling sessions. This program covers counselling sessions for farmers, their families, farm employees, veterinarians and registered veterinarian technicians. Learn more and book a counselling session.

Student Work Placement Program (SWPP)

We are thrilled to share that Growing Opportunities through the Student Work Placement Program (SWPP) is available again for Summer 2024. Whether a student seeking valuable work experience or an employer eager to invest in emerging talent, SWPP has something special to offer. To apply simply visit the SWPP Application Page and complete the online application form.

If you'd like to learn more about SWPP, including eligibility criteria and detailed program information, please visit the website. For any questions or additional information, reach out to Megan Lockhart at mlockhart@cahrc-ccrha.ca. 

Phase 2 of the Recognized Employer Pilot under the Temporary Foreign Worker Program 

Employers are now able to submit applications for positions on Service Canada’s Phase 2 Recognized Employer Pilot (REP) occupations list. These 84 occupations are in high-demand and show shortage conditions based on the Canadian Occupational Projection System assessment of recent labour market conditions (2019-2021). The deadline to submit applications to become a recognized employer is September 16, 2024, however recognized employers will continue to have access to simplified applications for the 84 designated occupations until the end of the pilot on December 31, 2026. If you have questions on the REP, please visit Canada.ca or contact the Employer Contact Centre. 

Health and Safety on Alberta Farms and Ranches
A guide to rights and obligations for farmers and workers under Alberta's OHS legislation. Provides information about hazard identification and control, incident reporting and investigations.https://ohs-bstore.labour.alberta.ca/bp029 

AgSafe FarmSafe Plan Learning Program launched

This is a free, self-paced learning program that introduces Alberta producers to health and safety fundamentals and explains how to apply this information to their specific operations. It was designed for both family farms and farms with employees. It will walk you through creating a farm-specific health and safety program, explain why these elements are needed, and support you in putting your farm’s health and safety program into action. Learn more and register.

Canada Alberta Jobs Grant: The Canada-Alberta Job Grant is a training program where an employer applies on behalf of their present or future employees for eligible training costs. Employers decide who gets training and what type of training may be needed for their employees. Learn more: https://www.alberta.ca/canada-alberta-job-grant  

Agriculture Job Connector: https://www.alberta.ca/agriculture-job-connector.aspx 

We were pleased to launch our partnership with the Canadian Agricultural Human Resources Council at our Ag-Forum on February 21. For anyone interested in the HR toolkit, please use this QR code to gain access to the free HR Toolkit offered during the program.

Additional Government & Industry News and Information



Events, Webinars and Podcasts

GROWING UP: FOOD TECH FARM TO FORK - Inventures 2024 May 29-31 | Register

Register for Open Farm Days: https://albertaopenfarmdays.ca/open-farm-days-2024/open-farm-days-registration-2024/

FCC Events including Business Plan Boot Camp & Young Farmer Summit: https://www.fcc-fac.ca/en/knowledge/events.html

AgSafe Alberta FarmSafe Plan Learning Program is Online & Free
It is a free, self-paced learning program that introduces Alberta producers to health & safety fundamentals and explains how they can apply this information to their specific operations. Get started today at agsafeab.ca or by clicking HERE!

Agri-News online - www.alberta.ca/agri-news.aspx and upcoming events

Other Resources

As always, you can always find more agribusiness resources on our website: https://www.medicinehatchamber.com/agribusiness-resources/    

If you know of someone who may be interested in the work we are doing and might be interested in investing in this work through membership, please feel free to refer them to us. You can also encourage others to subscribe to our agriculture updates through this page. We look forward to continuing our work with you and pushing for our collective priorities on your behalf.

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