Canada and Manitoba Increase AgriStability Support for Flood-Affected Producers

The governments of Canada and Manitoba have introduced targeted changes to the AgriStability program to support producers affected by severe flooding in June and July and help them recover and maintain their operations.

Under the changes, late filing penalties for the 2025 AgriStability program will be waived for producers in municipalities and First Nation communities that declared a state of emergency due to flooding.

Producers outside these areas who missed the filing deadline because of the impacts of flooding will also be able to appeal for a waiver of the penalty.

The governments have also increased the maximum interim payment available to producers enrolled in the 2026 AgriStability program from 50% to 75% of the estimated final payment. The measure is intended to improve producers' cash flow by allowing them to access a larger portion of their estimated support within weeks of completing their application forms.

Producers who have already received an interim payment will not need to submit a new application. Their payments will automatically be topped up to the 75% level.

Manitoba has also introduced late participation for the 2026 AgriStability program. Producers who missed the April 30 enrollment deadline will still be able to participate, although the benefit available to them will be reduced. Producers choosing late participation must pay an upfront fee before submitting their 2026 application.

Flooding across Manitoba in June and July affected producers during a critical period of the growing season. The flooding also coincided with important deadlines for the AgriStability and AgriInvest programs.

The changes are designed to provide additional flexibility through existing business risk management programs rather than establishing new support programs.

Through these measures, the governments aim to help flood-affected producers access financial support more easily during the recovery process and maintain the continuity of their operations.