Canada: Prince Edward Island offers financial support for potato farmers

The province announced Friday it's moving forward with a financing program to make fixed-interest loans available to potato farmers to cover operational costs. As well, the government has set up wage support for exporters and trucking companies that previously shipped produce south of the border. "The effect that it’s having on our farmers and their mental health is evident and obvious, ”Agriculture Minister Bloyce Thompson told reporters Friday. “Our government is doing absolutely everything it can to support our largest economic driver and the pride of P.E.I. " Economic Growth Minister Matthew MacKay said the $ 4.2-million wage support program will be retroactive to Dec. 1 and employees will be able to access up to $ 3,000 a month. He added that the financing program includes a $ 100-million loan portfolio. “This could change daily. We just don't know how long this is going to last, so we wanted to make sure there was enough money in the pot so that if we do need it, it's there, ...