News

Please find below a letter regarding the October 20^th announcement of the 2023 Canada-Alberta Drought Livestock Assistance Program that was circulated this afternoon by the Office of the Minister.

Drought Livestock Assistance Program

Producer Report Q2, 2023

Producer Summary Q2, 2023

Registration for the DSANA annual fall Symposium to be held on November 8th and 9th, 2023 is now open! You will find the schedule for the event which includes topics and speaker information below.  Anyone who would like to register to attend can visit https://www.dsana.org/2023-symposium for more information. This syposium will be held virtually this year on the Zoom platform.

The Sheep Producers of North Central Alberta Educational Foundation and Explore Edmonton $1,000.00 award!

Submission deadline is Ocotber 15, 2023.

For more information on eligibility criteria and application process, click here!

The Underused Housing Tax (UHT) Act implements an annual 1% tax on the value of vacant and underused residential properties directly or indirectly owned by those who are not permanent residents or Canadian citizens. It became effective Jan. 1, 2022, and the first tax return for year-end Dec. 31, 2022, is due at the end of April 2023.

CFA would like to urge its members to distribute the following information to its members, as all Canadian farm corporations, farm partnerships or trusts that own residential property will HAVE to file a UHT this year, even if they are exempt from paying the tax. Detailed information on the UHT can be found here: https://www.bdo.ca/en-ca/insights/tax/canadian-tax/underused-housing-tax-and-farming/?fbclid=IwAR1n8YVC0q4wwA1fwhjSkf6B_9I64vHqgsWqlsZ9PQmOI4KY_3xUuYXOo7c

The application of penalties and interest under the UHTA for the 2022 calendar year will be waived for any late-filed underused housing tax (UHT) return and for any late-paid UHT payable, provided the return is filed or the UHT is paid by October 31, 2023.

This transitional relief means that although the deadline for filing the UHT return and paying the UHT payable is still April 30, 2023, no penalties or interest will be applied for UHT returns and payments that the CRA receives before November 1, 2023. Learn more here:  https://www.canada.ca/en/revenue-agency/news/newsroom/tax-tips/tax-tips-2023/underused-housing-tax-penalties-and-interest-waived.html

Click here for a Q&A on the UHT: https://www.canada.ca/en/revenue-agency/services/forms-publications/publications/uhtn15/questions-answers-underused-housing-tax.html

CFA is seeking an exemption to the UHT for agricultural businesses in the future to reduce the administrative burden of this tax. While CFA is seeking long-term solutions for this issue, our efforts will most likely not impact the current tax year, so we still encourage producers follow the guidance laid out below. 

How does the UHT impact your farming operation?

If you operate your farm through a Canadian corporation or Canadian partnership and it owns a residential property, you will be required to file a UHT return even if no UHT is owed due to applicable exemptions noted below. If you do not file, the late filing penalty will apply.

Let's look at the example of a Canadian corporation carrying a cash crop operation. The corporation is 100% owned by Canadian citizens and possesses several residential homes on its farms. This corporation is required to file a UHT return. It would be exempt from the UHT as a Specified Canadian Corporation, but the UHT return must still be filed to claim the exemption. It could be subject to a $10,000 penalty if it does not file a UHT return on time. This penalty would apply for each year a UHT return is required and not filed by the April 30 deadline.

How much is the UHT?

The UHT on vacant or underused residential property is 1% of the home's taxable value or 1% of its most recent sale price, whichever is greater. Owners can also file an election between Jan. 1 and April 30 of the following calendar year to use the property's fair market value (FMV) to determine the owing UHT and if they can obtain an appraisal. If two or more individuals hold title to a property, each owner will be responsible for the UHT based on their ownership interest.

What are the UHT filing requirements and penalties?

Failure to file a UHT return by April 30 of the following year, when required, could result in a penalty of at least $5,000 for individuals and $10,000 for other entities, such as Canadian corporations, partnerships, and trusts.

If an owner qualifies for an exemption but is not an excluded owner, the UHT return still must be filed, even if an exemption applies and no UHT is owed. The penalty for late filing will apply.

What should farm owners do next?

The UHT has received little attention since it became law, as many Canadians believe it simply does not apply to them—but the law affects a broad range of property owners. Countless numbers of farm corporations and farm partnerships across this country will have an obligation to file a UHT return, even if they owe no UHT. Non-filing can result in substantial financial penalties.

If you are concerned the UHT may apply to your farm operation, contact your advisors for guidance.

Please see the attached letter from Hon. RJ Sigurdson, Minister of Agriculture and Irrigation, regarding support for livestock producers impacted by drought.

 Read the letter

The AgriStability program has reopened for late participation so producers affected by wildfires and drought can consider enrolling to manage business risks.

Alberta producers can sign up for AgriStability until Sept. 29. The Government of Alberta and Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada have reopened the program recognizing that wildfires and extremely dry conditions have affected many farmers and ranchers since the April 30 enrolment deadline. This gives affected producers more time to review and manage the business risks associated with these challenging situations.

AgriStability protects Canadian producers against large declines in farming income due to production loss, increased costs and market conditions. The program is offered through the Sustainable Canadian Agricultural Partnership (Sustainable CAP), which is a shared commitment between federal, provincial and territorial governments.

“Our government has listened to farmers and ranchers who have been impacted by wildfires and drought. We know they need support options to make it through this growing season. Allowing late participation in AgriStability will enable them to reassess their business risks and make an informed decision about signing up to protect their operations and livelihoods.”

RJ Sigurdson, Minister of Agriculture and Irrigation

Enrolling in AgriStability can provide producers with access to other credit options like the federal Advanced Payments Program, which offers low-cost cash advances.

“Alberta’s producers have shown great resiliency and the ability to rise to the extreme challenges brought on by wildfires and drought. Risk management programs like AgriStability are essential to help producers manage these threats to their operations, and we want to ensure they have the time they need to make decisions that are right for their business.”

Lawrence MacAulay, Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada

In Alberta, producers sign up for AgriStability and access benefits through Agriculture Financial Services Corporation. Alberta farmers and ranchers are encouraged to sign up for late participation if they believe they have experienced a significant loss. Factors such as reduced income, increased expenses or reduced inventory are used to determine a potential benefit.

“This has been a challenging year for many Alberta producers as they deal with the impacts of wildfires and now dry conditions. AFSC is proud of its role in Alberta's agriculture industry and we are working to ensure our producers receive the help they need.”

Darryl Kay, CEO, Agriculture Financial Services Corporation (AFSC)

Quick facts

• AgriStability is one of the Business Risk Management programs under the Sustainable CAP.
• AgriStability compensates margin declines greater than 30 per cent at 80 cents for every dollar of decline, which is an increase from the previous 70 cents.
  • Payments to those who sign up through late participation will be reduced by 20 per cent to encourage proactive enrolment.
• The Sustainable CAP is a five-year, $3.5-billion investment by federal, provincial and territorial governments to strengthen competitiveness, innovation and resiliency of the 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 per cent federally and 40 per cent provincially/territorially for programs that are designed and delivered by provinces and territories.

Related information

• Agriculture Financial Services Corporation: AgriStability

Media inquiries

Callum Reid

780-691-7317
Press Secretary, Agriculture and Irrigation

This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

343-549-0778
Press Secretary, Office of the Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada

ALP AGM & Conference
Presented by:

ALP is  hosting our 2023 Annual General Meeting in conjunction with an educational conference for producers at the Red Deer Resort and Casino on Saturday, November 18, 2023.

ALP’s 2023 educational conference is a paid event, has no eligibility requirements and is open to anyone to register for and attend. Only eligible Alberta Lamb Producers can register to attend ALP’s Annual General Meeting. To be an eligible Alberta Lamb Producer, you need to have purchased CSIP tags within the last 2 years from our fiscal year end (Aug 31).

There is no registration cost to attend ALP’s Networking event (Friday evening) and AGM for our eligible producers, however registration is required. To confirm your eligibility or to register, please email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. by November 10, 2023.

Registration is now closed.

Please find the conference and AGM agenda’s below.

ALP AGM Conference Agenda

ALP AGM Agenda

Lunch Sponsor:

Gold Sponsor:

Silver Sponsor:

Bronze Sponsor:

Ewe Manage

Centre D'Expertise En Production Ovine Du Québec & GenOvis