Today, the Government of Canada announced additional action to reduce the incidence and impact of COVID-19 outbreaks on farms. With an investment of $58.6 million, our Government is strengthening the Temporary Foreign Worker Program and making further investments to safeguard the health and safety of Canadian and temporary foreign workers from COVID-19 by:
- Investing $7.4 million to increase supports to temporary foreign workers, including $6.0M for direct outreach to workers delivered through migrant worker support organizations;
- Strengthening the employer inspections regime, particularly on farms, and making improvements to how tips and allegations of employer non-compliance are addressed (such as by initiating an inspection) through an investment of $16.2 million; and
- Investing $35 million to improve health and safety on farms and in employee living quarters to prevent and respond to the spread of COVID-19. This will go toward direct infrastructure improvements to living quarters, temporary or emergency housing (on- or off-farm), as well as PPE, sanitary stations, and any other health and safety measures. Non-repayable contributions will be cost-shared 50:50 with the applicants.
- Developing a national approach to on-farm accommodations, focusing on ensuring long-term dignified and high-quality living conditions for workers.
Link to full News Release here.
