OTTAWA ANNOUNCES $50M AID FOR FARMERS TO HELP FOREIGN WORKERS ISOLATE
Apr 13, 2020
By Bob Komsic
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Saying temporary foreign workers are an essential part of keeping Canada’s food supply going, the government’s announced farmers and food processors will receive funding to ensure the workers comply with mandatory COVID-19 quarantine.
As part of the initiatives to stop the spread of the virus, they must remain in self-isolation for 14 days once they arrive in this country.
Agriculture Minister Marie-Claude Bibeau says the $50-million is meant to acknowledge following the rules comes at a cost.
Farmers and food processors can use the $1,500-per-worker to offset salaries or supply appropriate accommodation for their quarantine.
Canada’s agriculture industry relies on thousands of temporary foreign workers every year to handle everything from planting crops to working in processing plants.