Source: Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada
The governments of Canada and Ontario are investing up to $538,000 through the Sustainable Canadian Agricultural Partnership (Sustainable CAP) to expand the Farmer Wellness Initiative to Ontario farm workers. Of that total, nearly $178,000 will be dedicated to supporting the delivery of services in Spanish.
Delivered by Agriculture Wellness Ontario, a suite of free programming managed by the Canadian Mental Health Association, Ontario Division, the Farmer Wellness Initiative provides farmers, farm workers and their family members in Ontario with unlimited access to a free, 24/7 phone line that connects them to tailored mental health counselling. Earlier this year, the line expanded to include farm workers, and now the expansion includes the delivery of mental health services in Spanish to better serve international agricultural workers.
Services offered through the 24/7 phone line include crisis counselling, risk assessments, and face-to-face, phone or video sessions with a counsellor.
Today’s action builds on a series of recently launched and expanded free mental health supports for workers in the farming sector. It also supports the priorities of the Ontario government’s Grow Ontario Strategy, which include strengthening the stability of our agri-food supply chain and attracting and growing local agri-food talent.
Sustainable CAP is a 5-year (2023-2028), $3.5-billion investment by federal, provincial and territorial governments to strengthen competitiveness, innovation, and resiliency of Canada’s agriculture, agri‐food and agri‐based products sector. This includes $1 billion in federal programs and activities and a $2.5 billion commitment that is cost-shared 60% federally and 40% provincially/territorially for programs designed and delivered by the provinces and territories.
Quotes
“As a farmer myself, I know that farmers and folks working on our farms often work long hours and face unique challenges that can make it difficult to prioritize their mental health. Through this initiative under Sustainable CAP, mental health resources will be more accessible, providing these hard-working people the tools they need, when they need them most.”
– The Honourable Lawrence MacAulay, Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food
“The expansion of services to farm workers and their families reflects the reality that the entire agricultural community experiences unique stressors that require tailored solutions. By increasing access to mental health services for everyone involved in the business of farming, we are supporting those who work hard to grow our sector and provide food for people across Ontario and throughout the world.”
– The Honourable Rob Flack, Ontario Minister of Agriculture, Food and Agribusiness
“Farmers face unique mental health challenges as they work, day in and day out, to provide the resources we all need. They deserve reliable and accessible services to support their wellbeing. The expansion of the Farmer Wellness Initiative aligns with our Roadmap to Wellness plan, which is making it possible for everyone in Ontario to access timely and high-quality mental health services in every community across the province.”
– Michael Tibollo, Associate Minister of Mental Health and Addictions
“We’re pleased to see this much-needed expansion of the Farmer Wellness Initiative. Through our ongoing interaction with the agricultural community, Agriculture Wellness Ontario consistently hears about the challenges faced by farmers and farm workers. This is an important next step in the evolution of ag-based mental health supports in Ontario.”
– Camille Quenneville, CEO, Canadian Mental Health Association, Ontario
“Agricultural workers play a vital role in growing our local fruits and vegetables in Ontario. We were particularly happy to see that the expansion of Ontario’s Farmer Wellness Initiative includes international agricultural workers, which showcases Ontario’s commitment to ensuring they have access to the same services and protections as Ontarians doing the same job.”
– Bill George, Chair of Labour Committee, Ontario Fruit and Vegetable Growers’ Association
“Mental health care is essential as it significantly improves the well-being of migrant workers. Therefore, it is necessary to recognize the types of issues that workers face, such as family separation and cultural changes. For this reason, we are very grateful that the Governments of Canada and Ontario are expanding the Farmer Wellness Initiative to Ontario farm workers and supporting the delivery of services in Spanish. This initiative will help migrant workers feel understood and cared for, preparing them for their daily challenges. This service enriches the community, creating a more inclusive and compassionate society for all.”
– Martin Varela, Chairman, Migrant Worker Community Program
Quick facts
- Since its January 2022 launch, the Farmer Wellness Initiative has been supporting 617 farmers and their families.
- In total, the governments of Canada and Ontario have invested $5,306,244 into the initiative.
- With this new funding, farm workers can now access services in Spanish in addition to English and French by calling 1-866-267-6255.
- According to a 2021 study conducted by the University of Guelph, 76% of farmers experience moderate or high stress.
- Supporting and empowering farmers to take care of their mental health was among the priorities set for Sustainable CAP by the federal-provincial-territorial agricultural ministers in The Guelph Statement.
- Sustainable CAP will help enable the goals outlined in Ontario’s Grow Ontario Strategy, which includes increasing total agri-food sector employment by 10% by 2032.
