Farm Debt Mediation Service

• Completed Application for mediation form (PDF)
• List of all secured and unsecured creditors with contact information
• Estimated value of all farm assets
• Farmer(s) authorization signature
• Notice of Intent by Secured Creditor (if applicable)

• The applicant must be engaged in farming for commercial purposes, producing agricultural products for sale.
• The applicant must be insolvent, meaning unable to meet financial obligations as they become due, or unable to pay debts if assets were sold.
• The applicant must not have submitted a previous application for the same farming operation under the same section within the past two years.
• The applicant must be a farmer as defined under the Farm Debt Mediation Act, which includes individuals, cooperatives, partnerships, or other associations engaged in farming.
• The applicant must meet the FDMA definition of farming, which covers crop production, livestock raising, egg and milk production, and other prescribed agricultural activities.

Who is eligible?

• Farmers engaged in commercial agricultural production.
• Individuals, cooperatives, partnerships, or other associations engaged in farming.
• Farmers producing crops, livestock, poultry, eggs, milk, honey, maple syrup, or other agricultural products for sale.
• Insolvent farmers who have received a Notice of Intent from a secured creditor or foresee financial difficulties.

Who is not eligible

• Non-farmers or individuals not engaged in commercial agricultural production.
• Farmers who are not insolvent as defined under the Farm Debt Mediation Act.
• Farmers who have already applied for the same farming operation under the same section within the past two years, unless written consent from the administrator is obtained.
• Businesses or individuals outside the agricultural sector.

Eligible geographic areas

• All Canadian provinces and territories.
• Farmers located anywhere in Canada may apply.
• Regional offices serve Western Canada (Manitoba, British Columbia, Saskatchewan, Alberta, Yukon, Northwest Territories, Nunavut) and Eastern Canada (Ontario, Quebec, Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, Prince Edward Island, Newfoundland and Labrador).

• The farmer must meet the definition of a farmer under the Farm Debt Mediation Act.
• The farmer must be engaged in commercial farming and produce agricultural products for sale.
• The farmer must demonstrate insolvency through one of the prescribed criteria.
• The application must be complete and include all required creditor information and signatures.

• The administrator reviews the application for completeness and eligibility after submission.
• If accepted, the administrator confirms which section the farmer is eligible for and notifies all listed creditors.
• A qualified financial consultant is assigned to assess the farm's financial situation and develop a recovery plan.
• A neutral mediator is appointed to facilitate confidential mediation meetings between the farmer and creditors.
• If an arrangement is reached, all parties sign it and the FDMS process concludes; if no arrangement is reached, the process terminates.

• The service is free for farmers and is delivered by Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada.
• The majority of cases result in a signed arrangement between the farmer and creditor(s).
• Participation is voluntary for both farmers and creditors.
• Confidentiality is strictly maintained throughout the mediation process.