Statement from the Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food on Canadian Agricultural Safety Week March 13-19

March 14, 2022 – Ottawa, Ontario – Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada

Canadian Agricultural Safety Week gives us a chance to remember how important farm safety is to the health and well-being of agricultural producers in Canada. It invites us to take the time to assess the potential dangers on farms, without forgetting the risks to mental health, too.

Farms are not only places of work, but also homes and even playgrounds for children. While new technologies and advanced equipment make farms more productive, they can bring new risks. An injury sustained on the farm can be devastating — both emotionally and economically – to producers and their families. The dangers are physical as well as mental: work and hours can be exhausting, and sometimes very stressful.

Yet most injuries are predictable and preventable if producers, farm managers and farm workers know what to look out for and how to avoid on-farm hazards. It's human nature to forget about your well-being and safety when you feel overwhelmed.

Farm safety is about changing unsafe behaviours and habits, understanding that safe farming practices are an investment in the business, and doing what it takes to truly put safety and health first.

That's why Canadian Agricultural Safety Week and the Canadian Agricultural Safety Association are so important. CASA keeps farmers informed about new risks and hazards in agriculture. In addition, CASA educates young people through its Toolbox Talks for Kids and Agricultural Safety Days. We need these educational programs, resources and outreach now more than ever.

The Government of Canada is proud to support CASA's impactful ag-safety initiatives through the Canadian Agricultural Partnership, and all their excellent work in empowering Canadians who live and work on farms in Canada.

This week, I invite you to join the online conversation and show that you care about #FarmSafetyEveryday by posting a video, a photo, a few words or CASA's Ag Safe virtual ribbon. During Canadian Agricultural Safety Week let's take the time to raise awareness about farm safety and keep the conversation going around safety to make every day on the farm an accident-free day.

The Honourable Marie-Claude Bibeau, P.C., M.P.