The governments of Canada and Quebec have announced a new registration period for the Rétribution agroenvironnementale (Agri-Environmental Compensation) program, inviting agricultural producers to apply for financial support to adopt more sustainable farming practices. The initiative, introduced by Canada’s Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food, Heath MacDonald, and Quebec’s Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, Donald Martel, aims to recognize and encourage farmers who implement environmentally responsible practices that improve soil health and protect natural resources. Through the program, eligible farms can receive direct financial assistance of up to $50,000 over the next two growing seasons.
The launch of the fifth registration period is supported by a new budget allocation of $17.65 million, which will enable more than 650 agricultural businesses to participate. The funding is designed to accelerate the adoption of advanced agro-environmental practices such as crop diversification, protecting soil during the off-season, reducing herbicide use, improving fertilizer management, and promoting biodiversity-friendly farming approaches. The registration window for producers will run from March 10 to March 31.
The Agri-Environmental Compensation program forms part of the Sustainable Canadian Agricultural Partnership and contributes to Quebec’s Sustainable Agriculture Plan 2020–2030. Since its launch in 2022, the initiative has gained strong participation, with more than 3,300 farms committing to adopt eligible practices over a period of two to five years. These commitments represent over 20 percent of the program’s priority target audience and cover more than 40 percent of the province’s annual crop area.
The program has already demonstrated significant environmental benefits. In 2025 alone, supported farms helped reduce greenhouse gas emissions by approximately 85,000 tonnes of carbon dioxide equivalent through emission reductions and carbon capture. The initiative also prevented the use of nearly 100,000 kilograms of active herbicide ingredients, highlighting the growing commitment among producers to adopt greener agricultural methods.
Government representatives emphasized that sustainable farming practices are essential for improving soil and water quality, protecting biodiversity, and addressing climate change while ensuring the long-term prosperity of the agricultural sector. Financial support through the program helps farmers manage the costs and risks associated with transitioning to more environmentally responsible practices, encouraging broader participation across the industry.
The program operates within the broader Canada–Quebec Agreement under the Sustainable Canadian Agricultural Partnership, which provides a total of $366.6 million in funding between 2023 and 2028. With contributions from both federal and provincial governments, the agreement supports initiatives aimed at strengthening innovation, sustainability, and long-term growth in Canada’s agricultural sector.
