Government of Canada highlights Canadian Agriculture Safety Week with up to $1.4 million investment to boost farm safety

From: Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada

News release

March 15 2021 – Winnipeg, Manitoba – Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada

Today, the Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food, the Honourable Marie-Claude Bibeau, announced an investment of up to $1.4 million over two years to improve farm safety. The announcement helps kick off this year’s Canadian Agriculture Safety Week by providing the Canadian Agricultural Safety Association (CASA) with funding to provide valuable farm safety tools and advice to Canada’s agriculture industry.

This funding through the AgriCompetitiveness program will also facilitate a series of initiatives that promote farm safety for producers, their families, and workers. Activities include awareness raising, community engagement, and the development and maintenance of safety resources and tools to address existing and emerging safety needs at the provincial and national level.

In addition to outreach and awareness activities, CASA will continue to provide farm safety learning opportunities to rural emergency responders and firefighters, and provide online health and safety training courses to farm workers.

The theme for this year’s Canadian Agricultural Safety Week (CASW) is “Lead an AgSafe Canada”. From March 14 to March 20, 2021, CASA will showcase farm safety initiatives and programs across Canada. In addition to this annual event, CASA will continue to provide essential training and tools to farmers and stakeholders relating to existing and emerging safety concerns at the farm level.

Farm safety is crucial to the overall health and wellbeing of Canada’s farmers. Ensuring farmers have access to tools to protect both their mental and physical health is key to the strength and prosperity of the agriculture sector.

Quotes

“Agricultural producers work in an environment that presents many safety risks. Through various training and resources, including programs designed for children, the Canadian Agricultural Safety Association provides life-saving tools. This new investment from the federal government supports these excellent initiatives that protect our farm families."

- The Honourable Marie-Claude Bibeau, Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food 

"With this 1.4-million-dollar investment from Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada, CASA is in a position to continue to support initiatives and work with our partners to equip producers, their families, and their workers with the information and tools needed to make farms a safe place to live, work and play. We appreciate the continued support of AAFC and their commitment to safe and healthy farms across Canada."

- Carolyn Van Den Heuvel , Chair,Canadian Agricultural Safety Association

Quick facts

  • The Canadian Agricultural Partnership is a five-year, $3-billion investment by federal, provincial and territorial governments to strengthen the agriculture and agri-food sector.

  • Under the Canadian Agricultural Partnership, the AgriCompetitiveness Program helps the agricultural sector leverage, coordinate, and build on existing capacity, enhance safety, adapt to changing commercial and regulatory environments, seize new opportunities, share best practices, and provide mentorship opportunities.

  • The Canadian Agricultural Safety Association is a national non-profit organization dedicated to improving the health and safety of farmers, their families and agricultural workers.

  • In an average year, agricultural fatalities account for the deaths of over 100 adults and children in Canada.

  • Canadian Agricultural Safety Week (CASW) is an annual campaign held the third week of March. Its aim is to empower farmers, farm families, and farming communities to build, grow, and lead the agricultural industry in safety and sustainability.

  • This funding is in addition to the $1.9 million provided to CASA through AgriCompetitiveness at the outset of the Canadian Agricultural Partnership. 

Associated links

Contacts

Jean-Sébastien Comeau
Press Secretary
Office of the Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food
jean-sebastien.comeau@canada.ca
343-549-2326

Media Relations
Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada
Ottawa, Ontario
613-773-7972
1-866-345-7972
aafc.mediarelations-relationsmedias.aac@canada.ca
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