Extending more credit via Farm Credit Canada won’t make much difference, he said, because there’s little evidence that farmers were anxious to get more and the private sector, lacking borrowers during the COVID-19 pandemic, is looking to lend to essential services, including agriculture and food.
Likewise, extending the deadline to pay off cash advances doesn’t amount to a big expenditure for the federal government.
What is significant is the offer to subsidize farmers who are bringing in temporary foreign workers to provide room and board while they wait through two-week quarantines, he said.
The United States, by comparison, has announced $5.6 billion in direct aid to its farmers.
Here in Canada, farmers can listen to Prime Minister Justin Trudeau promise that "we've got your back."
