News for Rural Communities

1. Cameron Bowl ballfield gets a refresh to attract new opportunities

   The Government of Canada is investing in upgrades to a beloved ballfield in Glace Bay, ensuring the field remains a vibrant hub for recreation and helping Cape Breton strengthen its reputation as a popular location for event tourism.

2. Nova Scotia’s wineries uncork new tourism opportunities

   Government of Canada support will help extend wine tourism season, foster industry collaboration

3. Additional support available for Prince Edward Island agriculture industry in response to tariff threats

   The Government of Canada and the Prince Edward Island (PEI) Department of Agriculture are redirecting funds into existing programs that support farmers and agri-businesses in finding new markets and foster innovation.

4. Federal, Provincial and Territorial Ministers of Agriculture meet to discuss evolving Canada-United States trading relationship

   Yesterday, the Honourable Lawrence MacAulay, federal Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food and the Honourable Ron Kostyshyn, Manitoba Minister of Agriculture, met with their colleagues, provincial and territorial Ministers of Agriculture, as part of ongoing discussions related to the impacts and potential responses to unjustified tariffs being implemented by the United States.

5. Minister MacAulay announces funding to support Canadian hog producers in the event of a potential African swine fever outbreak

   The Government of Canada is committed to protecting the resilience of Canada's rural communities and the Canadian pork sector by supporting prevention efforts and preparing to respond in the event of an African Swine Fever (ASF) outbreak.

6. Minister MacAulay announces interest-free limit under the Advance Payments Program will be set at $250,000 for 2025

   Today, the Honourable Lawrence MacAulay, Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food, announced that the Government of Canada will set the interest-free limit of the Advance Payments Program at $250,000 for the 2025 program year.

7. Government of Canada announces support to increase dairy processing capacity on Prince Edward Island

   Today, Bobby Morrissey, Member of Parliament for Egmont, on behalf of the Honourable Lawrence MacAulay, Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food, and the Honourable Gudie Hutchings, Minister of Rural Economic Development and Minister responsible for the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency (ACOA), announced a federal investment of up to $12 million for Amalgamated Dairies Limited (ADL).

8. Government of Canada announces support for local food infrastructure projects across Canada

   Today, Kody Blois, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food, and Member of Parliament for Kings–Hants, on behalf of the Honourable Lawrence MacAulay, Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food, visited the Town of Truro and announced up to $5.6 million to support 87 new projects across Canada under the Small Scale Projects component of the Local Food Infrastructure Fund (LFIF).

9. Database: List of Local Food Infrastructure Fund projects (Small Scale Projects intake)

   The 61 projects announced to date under the Small Scale Projects intake of the Local Food Infrastructure Fund (LFIF) total nearly $4 million to help improve food security in communities through investments in equipment and infrastructure needs.

10. Minister MacAulay announces launch of new initiative to promote mental wellbeing among producers in Canada

    The life of a farmer is demanding and comes with different challenges and uncertainty.

11. Minister MacAulay to announce federal support to increase dairy processing capacity on Prince Edward Island

    The Honourable Lawrence MacAulay, Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food, along with Mr. Bobby Morrissey, Member of Parliament for Egmont, will be in Summerside, Prince Edward Island, to announce federal investments to Amalgamated Dairies Limited (ADL) in support of dairy processing.

12. PS Blois to announce investments to strengthen food security

    Kody Blois, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food and Member of Parliament for Kings–Hants, will be in Truro, Nova Scotia, to announce federal investments in support of local food infrastructure projects across Canada.

13. Government of Canada will make an announcement on Canada Student Loan forgiveness for nurses and doctors

    The Minister of Employment, Workforce Development and Labour, Steven MacKinnon, will be in Hawkesbury to highlight changes to the Canada Student Loan forgiveness that benefit doctors and nurses working in rural and remote communities.

14. Minister Duguid announces federal investments in support of Manitoba’s Francophone and bilingual communities

    The Government of Canada is providing more than $1.5M to support the economic growth of Manitoba’s Francophone and bilingual communities

15. Government of Canada invests in rural public transit in Prince Edward Island’s Kings County

    Public transit in Eastern Prince Edward Island will be more accessible after an investment of more than $650,000 from the federal and provincial governments, the Provincial Credit Union, Transportation East Inc., and the Rotary Club of Montague and Eastern PEI.

16. Better meeting the needs of agricultural producers – Expanded and simplified crop insurance coverage

    The Government of Québec and the Government of Canada are announcing major changes to the Crop Insurance Program (ASREC) to better meet the changing needs of agricultural businesses, particularly in the context of climate change.

17. Minister MacAulay announces over $116 million to help farmers adopt clean technologies

    Today, the Honourable Lawrence MacAulay, Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food, announced more than $116 million under the Agricultural Clean Technology (ACT) Program.

18. Minister MacAulay visits Washington, D.C. to strengthen ties with Canada's most important partner

    Canada and the United States share one of the most integrated trading relationships in the world, especially when it comes to agriculture.

19. Empowering entrepreneurship and fueling local business growth in Prince Edward Island

    Community Business Development Corporations supporting development of small businesses through tailored financing, mentorship, and training programs.

20. Backgrounder:  Empowering entrepreneurship and fueling local business growth in Prince Edward Island

    Backgrounder: Empowering entrepreneurship and fueling local business growth in Prince Edward Island

21. Investing in active transportation in rural communities

    People will have more access to active transportation options after an investment of more than $500,000 from the federal and municipal governments in the Municipality of the County of Kings. This was announced by MP Kody Blois and Mayor Dave Corkum.

22. Minister MacAulay announces the re-appointment of three members to Farm Credit Canada's Board of Directors

    The Honourable Lawrence MacAulay, Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food announced the re-appointment of 3 members, Michele Hengen, James Laws, and Govert Verstralen to Farm Credit Canada’s Board of Directors. The 3 members have each served on the Board since 2017 and will continue for a term of 4 years, effective immediately.

23. World-class Manitoba attractions receive a boost from the Government of Canada

    PrairiesCan invests $1.85 million in nine local projects to strengthen tourism and cultural experiences across Manitoba

24. Backgrounder: World-class attractions in Manitoba receive federal support

    These nine projects, announced today, highlight the growing potential of tourism and cultural initiatives helping drive economic development in communities across Manitoba.

25. Minister Duguid to announce federal investments in Manitoba’s tourism sector

    The Honourable Terry Duguid, Minister responsible for PrairiesCan, will announce federal funding in support of tourism and cultural initiatives that will drive economic development across Manitoba.

26. Price protection insurance to support beef producers

    Nova Scotia’s beef producers can now get financial protection through the Maritime Livestock Price Insurance Pilot Program. The new business risk management tool will allow producers to purchase price protection on beef cattle in the form of an insurance policy to protect against unexpected market declines.

27. Governments of Canada and Saskatchewan announce continued commitment through the 2025 Crop Insurance Program

    Today, Canada’s Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food Lawrence MacAulay and Saskatchewan Agriculture Minister Daryl Harrison announced continued funding and commitment through the 2025 Crop Insurance Program, administered by the Saskatchewan Crop Insurance Corporation (SCIC).

28. Federal government invests in new building for Biathlon Yukon

    A new building for Biathlon Yukon is coming thanks to a joint investment of more than $2.9 million from the federal and territorial governments.

29. Promoting commitment to sustainable agriculture – More than $35M in support for farmers

    The Government of Canada and the Government of Quebec announce $35.3 million, part of which is funded under the Sustainable Canadian Agricultural Partnership, to support producers who adopt more sustainable farming practices.

30. Federal government invests in rural transit solutions across Alberta

    Six rural communities across Alberta will see improvements to local public transit services, after an investment of more than $3.4 million from the federal government.

31. Governments support crop health projects through research and innovation

    The governments of Canada and Manitoba are providing $4.7 million in grant funding under the Sustainable Canadian Agriculture Partnership (Sustainable CAP) to support 36 projects, including several that benefit the future of crop health in Manitoba, under the Research and Innovation Program over the next three years, federal Agriculture and Agri-Food Minister Lawrence MacAulay and Manitoba Agriculture Minister Ron Kostyshyn announced today at CropConnect.

32. Unique Handcrafted Products Gain Popularity

    The Government of Canada is helping a Cape Breton company scale up, modernize and showcase the region’s renowned craftsmanship.

33. Backgrounder: Cape Breton poised for year-round tourism growth

    Tourism boosts local economies, highlights unique attractions, and celebrates the region's rich culture. The Government of Canada recognizes this potential and is investing to help seven organizations and the Village of Baddeck seize new growth opportunities.

34. Cape Breton poised for year-round tourism growth

    To help showcase the region’s beauty and culture to the world and attract more visitors, the Government of Canada is investing in eight projects in Cape Breton.

35. Message from Minister Lawrence MacAulay on Canada's Agriculture Day 2025

    Today, on Canada's Agriculture Day, we recognize all of our Canadian farmers and celebrate the great work they do. Canada is a world leader when it comes to agriculture, with a strong food system that is supported by dedicated farmers who work year-round to put top-quality food on our tables.

36. Government of Canada invests in tourism development in Cape Breton

    Government of Canada invests in tourism development in Cape Breton

37. Federal, Provincial and Territorial Ministers of Agriculture meet to discuss Canada-United States trading relationship

    Yesterday, the Honourable Lawrence MacAulay, federal Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food, convened provincial and territorial Ministers of Agriculture to discuss several key areas of interest for Canada’s agriculture sector in the current context of the Canada-United States trading relationship.

38. Keeping Northern Manitoba connected by rail

    Rural and remote communities deserve safe, reliable, and resilient connectivity to keep people moving and to grow our economy. That is why the Government of Canada is making investments for keeping Northern Manitoba connected by rail.

39. Backgrounder: Minister Duguid announces federal investments to secure affordable transportation in the North, and strengthen trade opportunities for Canada

    Backgrounder: Minister Duguid announces federal investments to secure affordable transportation in the North, and strengthen trade opportunities for Canada

40. Minister Duguid announces federal investments to secure affordable transportation in the North, and strengthen trade opportunities for Canada

    Northern Manitoba is moving forward to become a global hub for trade in critical minerals. The Government of Canada is providing $45,384,634 to maintain rail connectivity and advance Indigenous economic reconciliation in Manitoba.

41. Minister Duguid announces federal investments to secure affordable transportation in the north, and strengthen trade opportunities for Canada

    The Honourable Terry Duguid, Minister responsible for PrairiesCan will make a significant federal funding announcement that will enhance northern transportation, global trade, business development, Manitoba’s critical minerals industry, training and economic reconciliation.

42. Minister MacAulay announces 10 organizations to deliver the School Food Infrastructure Fund to help strengthen food security in communities across Canada

    Kids need access to nutritious food at school so they can learn, grow, and reach their full potential. That is why the Government of Canada is taking action to strengthen wider community and local food systems through investments in infrastructure that expand the reach and impact of school food programming.

43. Backgrounder: Empowering entrepreneurship and fueling local business growth in Nova Scotia

    Funding will enable the CBDCs to offer essential financial assistance, specialized training, expert guidance, and customized local initiatives to the rural businesses, organizations, and communities they support.

44. Empowering entrepreneurship and fueling local business growth in Nova Scotia

    Community Business Development Corporations (CBDCs) supporting development of small businesses through tailored financing, mentorship, and training programs.

45. New suite of initiatives aimed at growing the Prince Edward Island livestock sector

    In collaboration with the Government of Canada, the Province of Prince Edward Island (PEI) is launching new funding opportunities to further support its cattle and livestock sectors.

46. Government of Canada investment boosts small business growth in rural Nova Scotia

    Government of Canada investment boosts small business growth in rural Nova Scotia

47. Governments of Canada and Saskatchewan invest in livestock and forage research

    Today, Canada's Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food Lawrence MacAulay and Saskatchewan's Minister of Agriculture Daryl Harrison announced $6.9 million to jointly support livestock and forage-related scientific research in Saskatchewan in 2025, combined with co-funding from industry partners for a total of $7.2 million.

48. Minister MacAulay announces funding to help farmers lower emissions and build resilience

    Farmers care deeply about the land and have been leaders when it comes to taking action to protect the environment and strengthen the competitiveness of our agricultural businesses and economy.

49. 2025 AgriInsurance program announced at Manitoba Ag Days

    The Honourable Lawrence MacAulay, Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food and Manitoba Agriculture Minister, Ron Kostyshyn announced details of the 2025 AgriInsurance program, administered by Manitoba Agricultural Services Corporation (MASC).

50. Message from Minister Lawrence MacAulay on Bell Let's Talk Day 2025

    Today, the Honourable Lawrence MacAulay, Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food, issued the following statement to mark Bell Let’s Talk Day: