Feds Going to Help With Temporary Worker Costs

COVID-19 quarantine rules expected to raise expenses

Each year between 100 and 300 temporary foreign workers come to Northumberland County

Article by Valerie MacDonald New Now Network: image supplied

Each year between 100 and 300 temporary foreign workers come to Northumberland from places such as the Caribbean, Central America and Mexico, but this year COVID-19 quarantine rules have complicated the process.

To address expected increased costs, the Federal Government announced this week that there will be a $50-million fund available for the farmers employing foreign workers as part of their labour force who plant, prune, tend and harvest fruits and vegetables.

Northumberland County Warden Bob Sanderson said the funding is a boom to the county’s agriculture community.

“Migrant workers provide essential expertise and labour capacity for our farming community, sustaining vital food and supply chains in

Northumberland and across the country,” Sanderson told News Now Network.”

“Our Settlement Services staff continue to assist community partners in coordinating supports for foreign temporary workers arriving in Northumberland.”

“We welcome the announcement from Minister Bibeau that the federal government will provide the agri-food industry with financial aid to support mandatory quarantine requirements for foreign temporary workers arriving in Canada. This measure will support the efforts of the farming community to keep workers and our community safe from transmission of COVID-19.”

While the funding is good news, area Ontario Federation of Agriculture board director, Bruce Buttar of Gores Landing, said that with between 50,000 and 60,000 foreign workers coming to Canada annually, the $50-million announcement is not enough.

“It’s only about half,” Butter said.

Details have not yet been released but farmers can apply for up to $1,500 per worker to cover costs associated with a 14-day quarantine each worker must observe when entering the country.

Daniel Quesada, community outreach officer at Horizons of Friendship, told News Now Network that five workers have already arrived with four of those before the quarantine was ordered. They were kept on the farm and their needs met there, he said.

Quesada, working with Northumberland Settlement services, helps foreign workers access medical and legal services as well as others. He also acts as a translator for those who come from Mexico and don’t speak any English.

Foreign workers come to the County in April and May and leave in the fall.