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Sent: March 25, 2020 2:52 PM
Subject: From the Honourable Ernie Hardeman, Minister of Agriculture,
Food and Rural Affairs
March 25, 2020
Hello,
First of all, I want to thank you for your ongoing efforts to keep Ontario’s agriculture and food supply chains operating. Each and every one of you are demonstrating true Ontario spirit as we come together, as a province, to support one another through this difficult time.
I am writing to you today regarding the mandated closure of all non-essential workplaces announced by Premier Ford, in an effort to contain the spread of COVID-19 and protect the health of the people of our province.
Workplaces across our food supply value chain are considered essential and therefore excluded from this order. This is reinforced in the Agriculture and Food Production section of the Essential Workplaces list:
Agriculture and food production
21. Businesses that farm, harvest, process, manufacture, produce or distribute food, including beverages, crops, animal products and by-products, aquaculture, hunting and fishing;
22. Businesses that support the food supply chain including assembly yards, livestock auctions, food distribution hubs, feed mills, farm equipment suppliers, feed suppliers, food terminals and warehouses, animal slaughter plants and grain elevators;
23. Business that support the safety of food including animal and plant health and animal welfare;
24. Businesses that provide veterinary services, and that supply veterinary and animal control medications and related supplies and testing kits;
25. Businesses that help to ensure safe and effective waste management including deadstock, rendering, nutrient management, bio hazardous materials, green waste, packaging recycling.
Please also note that our government is mindful of the highly integrated nature of the food value chain so your business or services may be included in another section of the List of Essential Workplaces. We encourage you to consult that here. (www.ontario.ca/page/list-essential-workplaces)
Still, I’m sure that many of you have questions about what this means for your business.
The province has launched a toll-free line to provide support to Ontario businesses with questions about the province’s recent emergency order to close at-risk workplaces following recommendations by Ontario’s Chief Medical Officer of Health.
Businesses with questions about closures of at-risk workplaces or how emergency measures may impact their operations or employment can call the Stop the Spread Business Information Line at 1-888-444-3659.
OMAFRA’s program staff and staff at the Agricultural Information Contact Centre are also taking calls and sharing vital information with farmers and other agri-food businesses on the government’s response to COVID-19 as it becomes available.
We’re working hard to provide expedited support to businesses impacted by COVID-19 – including access to Business Risk Management programs like AgriStability and AgriInvest for those that qualify.
Today the Minister of Finance is releasing an economic and fiscal update with a realistic one-year outlook. It will provide certainty for hospitals, schools, municipalities, and other partners for the year to come. Our approach will include increased resources for the health care system, direct support for parents, students and seniors, and action to protect jobs and our economy. This is a responsible course that maintains confidence and stability while providing the flexibility to respond quickly to changing events. We will be in touch with our stakeholders on this important work in the days to come.
Again, we appreciate that these are exceptionally challenging times. Given the rapidly evolving situation, we’re talking with members of the agri-food sector like yourself every day to understand the issues you’re facing and reviewing existing programs to help best meet your needs.
Our ministry is here to support you as we all do our part to slow the spread of COVID-19 and help the people and the businesses keep food on the shelves, and on the table, for the people of Ontario.
Thank you for the work you continue to do. We are deeply grateful.
Sincerely,
Original signed by
Ernie Hardeman
Minister of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs
