Ottawa increases AgriStability cap to help industry as it faces Chinese tariffs

Mar 28, 2025

The Canadian government has announced support for the country’s agriculture sector as it deals with tariffs imposed by China.

The federal agriculture department says in a news release that the current payment cap under AgriStability, a program that works similarly to crop insurance, will double to $6 million for the 2025 program year.

Support also includes increasing the compensation rate from 80 per cent to 90 per cent.

Agriculture businesses are facing 100 per cent tariffs from China on canola oil, canola meal and peas, as well as a 25 per cent levy on pork and some seafood products in retaliation for Canada’s tariffs on Chinese-made electric vehicles, steel and aluminum.

Former prime minister Justin Trudeau said those vehicles have an unfair advantage that’s hurting the Canadian auto sector.

The news release says the Chinese tariffs come as the agriculture sector also deals with trade uncertainty with the United States, and other risks like animal disease.

“China’s decision to apply these tariffs will have a devastating impact on our farm families and their communities. We’re working hard to diversify our trading partnerships and establish new markets, but we know the sector needs support now,” Agriculture Minister Kody Blois said in the news release.

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Video: A Farm Song (Busy) | Parody of A Bar Song (Tipsy) by Shaboozey

Lyrics:

My days begin with workin’, Alarm’s at 5 o’clock,
I Fill 5 gallon buckets, The feeders and the troughs,
This five to nine ain’t workin’, why the heck do I work so hard?,
I can’t worry ‘bout health problems, I can sleep in when I’m gone,

One, here comes the two to the three to the four,
Tell em’ ‘buy another cow, we need plenty more’,
Blue jeans are gettin’ dirty, what else could I ask for,
Oh my, more chores

Someone pour me up another shot of sweet tea,
They know me and working hard’s got a history,
There’s another flock of sheep that still needs feed,
Everybody on the farm gettin’ busy,

Everybody on the farm gettin’ busy,
Everybody on the farm gettin’ busy,

I’ve been working pretty stressed but,
I ain’t changing for some cash,
Lord knows that I’m very blessed (More chores),
But I gotta say it’s hard,
Workin’ outside gettin’ charred,
Living out here on the farm, (more chores)

One, here comes the two to the three to the four,
Tell em’ ‘buy another cow, we need plenty more’,
Blue jeans are gettin’ dirty, what else could I ask for,
Oh my, more chores

Someone pour me up another shot of sweet tea,
They know me and working hard’s got a history
There’s another 20 chickens that still need feed,
Everybody on the farm gettin’ busy,

Everybody on the farm getting’ busy,
Everybody on the farm gettin’ busy,

Fun, here on ranch that’s what you can’t ignore,
Might be pretty hard but I love it to its core,
Flannel’s gettin’ dirty, what else could I ask for,
Oh my, more chores (Tell ‘em sing with me)

Someone pour me up another shot of sweet tea,
They know me and working hard’s got a history,
There’s another flock of sheep that still needs feed,
Everybody on the farm gettin’ busy,
Someone pour me up another shot of sweet tea,
They know me and working hard’s got a history,
Watching cattle in the dark, don’t miss me,
Everybody on the farm gettin’ busy,
(Yeeeeeehaw)
Everybody on the farm gettin’ busy,
Everybody on the farm gettin’ busy,
It’s the best bro, go get yourself a farm