Ahead of Farm Safety Week, March 16-22, the Honourable Lawrence MacAulay, Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food, has announced up to $1,607,291 over three years to the Canadian Agricultural Safety Association (CASA) through the AgriCompetitiveness Program, an initiative under the Sustainable Canadian Agricultural Partnership.

This funding will support a range of initiatives aimed at improving farm safety and reducing the risk of injuries in Canadian agriculture. Through national leadership, training programs, awareness campaigns, and on-farm resources, CASA will help farmers, farm families, and workers adopt safer practices.

Farm safety is about protecting everyone on the farm, from experienced producers to the next generation. One initiative will focus on ensuring the health and safety of children and youth by developing safety education resources and promoting a new child and youth agricultural safety week. In addition to promoting physical safety, the funding will support mental health initiatives that address the unique stresses of farm life.

 "CASA is deeply grateful for the continued support from AAFC,” said Sandy Miller, executive director, Canadian Agricultural Safety Association. “This vital funding allows us to work towards our vision of a safe and sustainable agriculture where healthy Canadian farm communities thrive. With this generous contribution, CASA can continue to offer impactful programs, including Canadian Agricultural Safety Week, BeGrainSafe, and Canadian Agricultural Injury Reporting—programs that make a positive difference in the lives of farmers, their families, farm workers and farming communities. Together, we are building a safer agricultural sector for generations to come." 

Quick Facts

• The CASW is an annual campaign held the third week of March that aims to empower farmers, farm families, and farming communities to build, grow, and lead the agricultural industry in safety and sustainability.

• From 2011 to 2020, there were 624 agriculture-related fatalities in Canada: an average of 62 per year.

• 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 March 13, 2025 news release