Friday, December 21
Special tax rate adopted in Brownsburg-Chatham
Following the example set last year by the municipalities of Mirabel and Grenville-sur-la-Rouge, Brownsburg-Chatham has recently approved a special tax rate for agriculture. The measure drastically reduces the tax burden being shifted onto producers, at a time when property taxes for the new roll are rising by 50% for the agricultural sector and 6% for the residential sector. The adoption of the special rate comes as the municipality seeks to increase tax revenues to improve its financial situation. Without the special rate in place, farmers would have been faced with a 57% increase in their tax bill, a jump of $3,870 on average. Under the new rate, farmers instead have a 27% increase on their hands, which works out to an extra cost of $1,800 per farm. For the residential sector, the increase is limited to just under 11%, or about $200 for the average residence.
Our region not excluded from financial assistance for hail
Outaouais-Laurentides farmers could receive a helping hand from the Canada-Québec Support Initiative for Farm Enterprises Affected by Exceptional Hail Episodes in 2017. While the Financière agricole identified only certain regions at first (Saguenay, Bas-Saint-Laurent, Chaudière-Appalaches, Montérégie), the assistance may now be available to farm businesses in our region provided certain conditions are met. Businesses may qualify for assistance whether or not they are registered under an insurance and income protection program administered by the Financière. The assistance can also be received on top of protection already offered through crop insurance. The general rules determining eligibility are available here Ce lien s'ouvrira dans une nouvelle fenêtre (English version). Farmers who believe they are eligible are invited to contact their Financière agricole service centre or to call 1-800-749-3646.
On the agendaFriday, December 22, at noon until January 2 (inclusive): Federation offices closed From now until January 12: Newsletter break Tuesday, January 9, 8:45 a.m.:Journée acéricole 2018 Ce lien s'ouvrira dans une nouvelle fenêtre (Maple production day 2018, part of Rendez-vous agroalimentaires Outaouais), L’Ange-Gardien Wednesday, January 10, 9:00 a.m.: Journée acéricole 2018 Ce lien s'ouvrira dans une nouvelle fenêtre (Maple production day 2018, part of the MAPAQ’s Journées agroalimentaires), Saint‑Eustache Wednesday, January 10, 10:00 a.m.: Outaouais-Laurentides dairy producers’ annual regional tour – Mirabel district, Mirabel Thursday, January 11, 1:30 p.m.: Journée ovine 2018 Ce lien s'ouvrira dans une nouvelle fenêtre (Sheep production day 2018) – in English (part of Rendez-vous agroalimentaires Outaouais), Bristol Friday, January 12, 10:00 a.m.: Outaouais-Laurentides dairy producers’ annual regional tour –Deux-Montagnes district, Saint-Eustache Friday, January 12:SRALO tour of Laiterie de l’Outaouais and New Year’s supper Ce lien s'ouvrira dans une nouvelle fenêtre, Gatineau Friday, January 19: SRALO farm tours, Mont-Tremblant region |
