2023 AgriStability late participation for Nova Scotia producers

Although the enrolment deadline for 2023 has passed you can still participate in AgriStability as a late participant. Under the Sustainable Canadian Agricultural Partnership, governments can agree to allow producers to join the program after the enrolment deadline if there is a significant downturn in a farm sector and a gap in participation.

To address the financial challenges facing Nova Scotia producers because of the severe impacts of recent floods, fires and wet weather, the governments of Canada and Nova Scotia have agreed to late participation for 2023. This will ensure all Nova Scotia producers can access AgriStability support for the 2023 program year to help protect the viability of their farm.

Apply for AgriStability as a late participant

You can apply as a late participant, if you:

  • did not receive an Enrolment Notice and did not enrol in the program
  • received an Enrolment Notice but opted out of the program before the deadline to confirm participation
  • received an Enrolment Notice but did not pay your fee by the final fee deadline

Step 1. Pay your fee

If you did not receive a 2023 Enrolment Notice or received an Enrolment Notice but opted out of the program before the deadline, you will pay a fee in two-portions:

  1. an up-front non-refundable amount of $300 before we will process your form ($245 fee plus $55 Administrative Cost Share)
  2. $3.15 for every $1,000 of reference margin covered (minus the $245 fee you have already paid)
    • You are only required to pay this portion of the fee if you receive a benefit
    • We will calculate this portion of the fee when we process your form and automatically deduct it from your benefit, if you receive one

The deadline to pay your $300 up-front fee is December 31, 2024; however, we will not process your form until we receive your fee.

You can pay your $300 up-front fee:

  • online or by telebanking through your financial institution if they provide this service. Pay your fee to “AAFC AgriStability AgriInvest” using your PIN.
  • by cheque payable to “The Receiver General for Canada”. Include your PIN on your cheque and send your payment to:
    AgriStability Administration
    PO Box 3200
    Winnipeg MB R3C 5R7

If you received a 2023 Enrolment Notice but did not pay your fee by the final fee deadline, you can still enter the program as a late participant. However, instead of paying the late two-portion fee, you must pay the fee shown on the Enrolment Notice that you received. We must receive the fee before we will process your form.

Step 2. Complete and submit a 2023 AgriStability form

Corporations and co-operatives complete an AgriStability 2023 Statement A – corporation, co-operative and special individual form and can submit a form once they have completed their 2023 fiscal year.

The 2023 form for individuals will be available on the website in February 2024.

The initial deadline to submit a 2023 form is September 30, 2024. You can submit a form until December 31, 2024; however, we will reduce your benefit by $500 for each month (or part of month) we receive it after the initial deadline.

File your form electronically to the Canada Revenue Agency or send a paper copy to Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada (AAFC).

Step 3. AAFC will process your form

  • AAFC will send you additional forms to complete if more information is needed to calculate your benefit.
  • Once your form is processed, AAFC will send you a Calculation of Program Benefits Notice and an AgriStability benefit if applicable.

Late participation penalty

Your benefits will be reduced by 20% for late participation.

Don’t miss out on AgriStability benefits in the future. Participating in the program each year will give you access to full AgriStability benefits and help protect your farm business against financial losses should a similar event reoccur.

For more information on late participation, see What is late participation?