QUICK LINKS:  Submit a Question to CAAR    |    COVID- 19 Articles & Resources    |    Q&A Responses    |    Webinar Details      

The critical period of spring planting is fast approaching with much uncertainty of additional measures to manage the spread of COVID-19.

The Canadian Association of Agri-Retailers (CAAR) has initiated communications reminding Provincial and Federal Ministers and Agencies agriculture production, infrastructure and logistics and agri-retailers remain an essential service to help ensure an uninterrupted flow of seed, fertilizer and crop protection products for the spring planting season.

Essential service recognition falls under Provincial Health jurisdictions, it is paramount that interprovincial and international movement of agriculture supplies and services are aligned and unabated.

As Provinces announce more economic restrictions associated with COVID-19 spread, we encourage all jurisdictions the agriculture supply chain be identified as an essential service.

As more restrictions are implemented, unintentional disruptions to the agricultural supply chain are likely to occur. It is with this in mind, CAAR has developed an online Ag Retailer Support & Resource Area. As issues occur, Canadian Ag Retailers are encouraged to submit questions or reporting’s identifying supply chain disruptions.

The questions, answers and comments will be posted here for public view.

Click here to submit your questions and reporting's

COVID-19 Resources & Articles

CAAR ARTICLES
Dealing with Stress During the Busy Season - April 27, 2020
Transport Canada Issues Revised Temporary Certificate TU 0751 - April 21, 2020
Provincial Governments to Recognize Agri-Retailers as Essential - March 24, 2020
COVID-19 HR Resources Available Through CAAR Perk$ Partner, TwoGreySuits - March 23, 2020
Retailers are Advised to Take a Proactive Stance Against COVID-19 - March 13, 2020

AGRICHEMICAL WAREHOUSING STANDARDS ASSOCIATION (AWSA)
Stakeholder Communication Update - July 13, 2020

AGRICULTURE & AGRI-FOOD CANADA (AAFC)
Food & Consumer Products of Canada (FCPC) - Member Survey
Food & Consumer Products of Canada (FCPC) - Member Survey Press Release
Information and Implications for Canada's Agriculture and Agri-Food Sector During COVID-19 - English Version
Information and Implications for Canada's Agriculture and Agri-Food Sector During COVID-19 - French Version
COVID-19 Monitoring Call Summary - May 20, 2020
Statement Regarding Farmers Benefitting from Changes to CEBA - English Version
Statement Regarding Farmers Benefitting from Changes to CEBA - French Version
Mandatory Isolation Support for Temporary Foreign Workers Program Form - English Version
Mandatory Isolation Support for Temporary Foreign Workers Program Form - French Version
COVID-19 Monitoring Call Summary - May 11, 2020
COVID-19 Monitoring Call Summary - April 28, 2020
Public Safety PPE and Sanitization Products Inventory Survey

CANADIAN CENTRE FOR OCCUPATIONAL HEALTH & SAFETY (CCOHS) / CANADIAN AGRICULTURAL HUMAN RESOURCE COUNCIL (CAHRC)
HR Toolkit
Pandemic Guidance Documents for Higher-Risk and Essential Occupations and Industries

FOOD PROCESSING SKILLS CANADA (FPSC)
Managing the Virtual Workplace - free online course
National Sanitation Training Program - free online course

PROVINCIAL INFORMATION
Click Here for Provincial Links
Submit Your PPE orders (through AEMA-POC) - Alberta Only

GOVERNMENT OF CANADA
COVID-19 Symptom Self-Assessment Tool
Canada Emergency Response Benefit (CERB)
Canada Emergency Business Account (CEBA)
Canada Emergency Wage Subsidy (CEWS)

HEALTH CANADA
Sign Up for COVID-19 Updates through Health Canada
Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) - Guidance for N95 Masks
Support for Businesses and Employees
COVID-19 Symptom Self-Assessment Tool

TRANSPORT CANADA
Expiration of COVID-19 Temporary Certificates *NEW*
New Measures Introduced for PPE in the Canadian Transportation System
Temporary Certificates
Guidance for Commercial Vehicle Operations
Template Letter for Employment Confirmation for Essential Transportation Workers

CANADIAN FOOD INSPECTION AGENCY (CFIA)
Temporary Reduction of Service at Canadian Land Border Crossings

CANADA BORDER SERVICES AGENCY
Interim Guidance on Sending Food Export Certificates to Foreign Countries during COVID-19

CENTERS FOR DISEASE CONTROL AND PREVENTION (CDC)
Symptoms & Testing
COVID-19 Symptom Checker
How to Protect Yourself & Others
What to Do If You Are Sick

Ag Retailer Q&A Responses

Q: Why has CAAR set up an online support & resource section?

A: As a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, CAAR has received numerous inquiries relating to business and supply chain activities continuing without disruption. We have recognized the need to provide resources and answers to the questions and concerns in a transparent environment. There will be instances where CAAR recognizes the answers are best provided by others and will redirect to more qualified sources. 

Q: Is Canadian agriculture production, infrastructure, logistics, manufacturers and retailers considered an essential industry and service?

A: Designation of essential industries and services is identified by Provincial Health Departments. The role of the Federal Government is to provide guidance and oversight with the intent to align provinces nationally. With the spread of COVID-19 provinces have taken steps of restricting industry activities to lessen risk.

CAAR has communicated to the PMO’s office, Provincial Premiers and Agriculture Ministers requesting the agriculture industry be excluded from economic restrictions and ensure goods and services associated with agriculture production continue without disruption.

Communications to Federal and Provincial Governments to recognize Ag Retailers as essential to the agriculture supply chain: 
i.  CAAR Letter: Prime Minister – March 24, 2020
ii. CAAR Letter: Premiers – March 24, 2020

Q: Have incidents occurred where movement of goods, services or labour associated with agriculture production is interrupted due to provincial COVID-19 management measures?

A: We are aware of two unintended instances:
i.  Logistics movement (trucking) associated with agriculture commodities not being allowed to cross interprovincial borders.
ii. Businesses conducting agriculture related activities across provincial borders having staff advised interprovincial movement would not be allowed.

In both instances with the support of Associations, Provincial and Federal Government Agencies the issues have been addressed or in process of alleviating.
 

Q: What actions has AWSA Canada taken to address upcoming ag retailer audits, inspections and certifications under COVID-19 management measures?

A: AWSA / CropLife Canada have implement a strategy to reduce COVID-19 spread. The following document provides details of actions taken: AWSA Auditing Activities and COVID-19

Q: What actions has Fertilizer Canada undertaken to address the fertilizer supply chain under COVID-19 management measures.

A: Fertilizer Canada is monitoring the Fertilizer Supply Chain and addressing issues as they occur.
See document: Urging the Government to Federally Mandate the Fertilizer Supply Chain as an Essential Service

Q: Where Can I Access Provincial Information Regarding COVID-19?

Q: The Government of Saskatchewan is temporarily modifying hours of service regulations for commercial truck drivers in response to COVID-19. Does this apply to agriculture inputs?

A: The only agriculture commodity it applies to is fuel. To extend hours of service for agriculture truck transporting requires a temporary certificate from Transport Canada or Provincial Regulators. Click here for more information.

Q: What are the Manitoba non critical businesses under the March 30, 2020 Public Health Order.? Will agricultural businesses be subject to new provincial restrictions?

A: Agriculture and associated supply chain upstream and downstream continue to identified as critical businesses in Manitoba. Click here for more information.

Q: What actions has Transport Canada undertaken to address agriculture related Transportation of Dangerous Goods requirements under COVID-19 management measures?

A: As a result of COVID-19, on March 27, 2020, Transport Canada issued a temporary certificate (TU 0750) pursuant to subsection 31 (2.1) of the Transportation of Dangerous Goods Act, 1992. The temporary certificate allows persons that have a valid and compliant TDG training certificate on March 1, 2020 and are unable to renew the training certificate due to COVID-19 restrictions for in-person training to continue as if the certificate was renewed. Employers must ensure to enroll their employees to renew their training certificate at the first available opportunity once employees providing the training or training establishments have resumed their training operations. This temporary certificate does not remove the obligation for a person who handles, offers for transport, or transports dangerous goods to be adequately trained.

The temporary certificate remains in effect until the earliest of Sept. 30, 2020 or the day it is cancelled in writing by the Minister of Transport. Click here for more information. 

TDG Temporary Certificate Document - English Version
TDG Temporary Certificate Document - French Version

Thank You For Attending CAAR's Webinar

The CAAR Staff and Board of Directors would like to thank everyone who attended their webinar that introduced and launched the Support & Resource Area created specifically for Ag Retailers.

Mitch Rezansoff, CAAR's Executive Director, discussed how CAAR is taking a proactive approach during this COVID-19 pandemic and how they are working with different sectors of the agriculture industry to ensure the food chain supply is recognized as an essential and critical service.

For those who were unable to attend the webinar, click here to view the presentation.