Farm Debt Mediation Service (FDMS)

The Farm Debt Mediation Service offers financial counseling and mediation services to farmers who are having difficulties meeting their financial obligations. It is a free and voluntary service for both producers and for creditor(s). The service helps bring producers and their creditor(s) together with a mediator in a neutral forum to reach a mutually acceptable solution. The service is private and confidential. It is an economical alternative to trying to resolve financial disputes in court.

What this service offers

Intake period: Open

The Farm Debt Mediation Service offers free financial support for farmers, such as financial counselling and mediation, to help those who are having difficulties meeting their financial obligations. It is a voluntary, private and confidential service that brings producers and their creditor(s) together with a mediator in a neutral forum to reach a mutually acceptable solution.

The majority of cases that have gone through the mediation process have resulted in a signed arrangement between farmer and creditor(s).

The Farm Debt Mediation Service offers 2 options:

1. Financial counselling and mediation with a stay of proceedings 5(1)(a): This option includes a temporary halt on legal actions by creditor(s) while mediation is ongoing
2. Financial counselling and mediation without a stay of proceedings 5(1)(b): This option does not include a halt on legal actions, but still provides a platform for mediation between the farmer and creditor(s)

A qualified financial consultant will be assigned to work with you throughout the mediation process.

Once the financial consultant has helped you develop a recovery plan, a meeting will be arranged with you, your creditor(s) and a mediator.

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  2. Eligibility

Check if you meet the criteria to apply.

Eligibility checklist

You must meet the following 2 criteria to be eligible for mediation services under the Farm Debt Meditation Act (FDMA).

You farm for commercial purposes

• You produce agricultural products for sale and not solely for their purpose
• You meet the FDMA definition of farming, which means:
  • the production of field-grown crops, cultivated and uncultivated, and horticultural crops
  • the raising of livestock, poultry and fur-bearing animals
  • the production of eggs, milk, honey, maple syrup, tobacco, fibre, wood from woodlots and fodder crops
  • the production or raising of any other prescribed thing or animal

You're insolvent and indicate at least 1 of the following to describe your current financial situation:

• You've stopped your payments or can't make your payments on time
• If sold, the value of your property would not be enough to cover the cost of your debts

Eligibility and the 2-year rule

You can only submit one Farm Debt Mediation Service application for the same farming operation under section 5(1)(a) or 5(1)(b) within a 2-year period. This rule applies from either:

• the date you signed an arrangement
• the date after your initial application was made if you did not sign an arrangement

Note: The 2-year limit does not apply to new applications for different sections or different farming operations.

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