Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada is investing up to $1,071,532 over two years for the Canadian Agricultural Safety Association (CASA) through the AgriCompetitiveness Program under the Sustainable Canadian Agricultural Partnership.

This funding will support CASA in leading activities that promote health and safety on farms. Through safety campaigns, training, and injury prevention research, this project will help reduce risks across the country.

“A strong agricultural sector depends on the well-being of its workforce,” said Hon. Heath MacDonald, minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food. “This investment provides farmers, their families, and farm workers with the tools, training, and resources they need to stay safe on the job every day. Reducing on-farm risks protects lives and builds a more sustainable future for Canadian agriculture.”

 This funding will support key activities, including:

• delivering national safety campaigns, such as Canadian Agricultural Safety Week (CASW), an annual campaign that aims to empower farmers, farm families, and farming communities to build, grow, and lead the agricultural industry in safety and sustainability.

   

  • -  working with industry partners, researchers, and governments to share safety best practices across Canada.
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  • -  providing safety tools and events for rural youth, including safety days and Kids FarmSafe Week, an annual campaign aimed at raising awareness about the importance of farm safety for children and youth.
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  • -  expanding the BeGrainSafe program to teach workers about the hazards of working with grain and training local firefighters in rescue techniques.
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  • -  creating mental health resources, developing safety tools for women in agriculture, and gathering injury data to find new ways to prevent farm accidents.

From 2006 to 2020, an average of 9 children and youth lost their lives each year due to injuries related to agriculture.

Agriculture-related fatalities have decreased by 36 per cent, dropping from an average of 110 deaths per year (1990–2005) to 70 deaths per year (2006–2020).

Source: Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada September 20, 2026 news release