The program will launch on Jan. 18, 2021
Ottawa, ON, Jan. 14, 2021 – $3 million in coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic relief funding will be made available from the Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs (OMAFRA) to equestrian facilities as a result of joint advocacy efforts by Equestrian Canada (EC) and Ontario Equestrian (OE).
The OMAFRA Equine Hardship Program is designated to support riding schools, trail riding facilities and therapeutic riding centres in Ontario whose financial ability to provide animal care has been impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. The program will launch on Jan. 18, 2021, and the application process will be made available on the OMAFRA website.
This funding represents a critical lifeline for numerous equine businesses in Ontario that are at high risk due to finances, supplies or inability to qualify for existing government relief programs. However, advocacy work must continue with urgency to obtain similar support for all provinces/territories. EC will continue to meet with Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada (AAFC) on a regular basis to push for Canada-wide solutions for the equine industry.
EC would like to recognize its stakeholders, volunteers and staff who participated in the advocacy campaign and spent many hours engaging government leaders to secure COVID-19 relief funding. We are particularly grateful to all the EC Sport Licence Holders who have lent their voices to the call to #SaveCanadasHorses.
EC also thanks Minister of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs Ernie Hardeman and the staff at OMAFRA, as well as AAFC, for their on-going collaboration and partnership on this critical issue.
For further details on the OMAFRA Equine Hardship Program, click here.