News Sustainability Water Issues
Ontario providing additional drought support for northwestern farmers

Blyth, Ont. – The Ontario government is providing additional supports for livestock farmers impacted by drought conditions in northwestern Ontario by providing up to $15,000 through the Northwestern Ontario Drought Assistance Initiative for well-drilling and pond construction projects.

“Last week I visited farmers in Northwest Ontario and not only did they ask for assistance, but I saw first hand the urgent need to provide assistance with drilling new wells and modifying ponds,” said Lisa Thompson, Minister of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs. “Quickly providing this targeted support will help impacted farms access a permanent and much-needed water supply that will ensure the short- and long-term success of the farm’s operation.”

Ontario will provide up to 50 per cent in cost-share funding for well improvement, pond expansion and/or construction to eligible farmers in the Kenora, Rainy River and Thunder Bay areas, up to a maximum of $15,000 per farm. Funding will be for eligible costs incurred since June 14, 2021. Eligible farmers can apply for the Northwestern Ontario Drought Assistance Initiative through Agricorp. Applications open later this month and run until Jan. 31, 2022.

This latest action to support drought-impacted farmers in Northwestern Ontario follows the launch of the Canada-Ontario Transported Feed Initiative on Sept. 16 in which Ontario is providing up to $5 million to help with the cost of caring for livestock through the winter. These initiatives builds on the up to $2 million in provincial support announced earlier this summer for emergency drought funding through the Northwestern Livestock Emergency Assistance Initiative, which provides assistance for emergency feed, water and fencing.

The emergency water and temporary fencing initiative continues to be open to producers through Agricorp until Nov. 1, 2021.