Over the weekend, Federal Agriculture Minister Marie Claude Bibeau said Temporary Foreign Workers will be allowed in despite COVID-19 travel restrictions.

She notes planes will be chartered by industry and paid for by the farmer/employers who will get them.

She says the workers once they arrive will still have to go through the mandatory 14-day isolation period, have appropriate housing and social distancing.

“Every employer will have the responsibility to put in place a strict isolation protocol of 14 days. And if they don't, they would forfeit the right to hire foreign workers for the coming years.”                                               

Bibeau notes that the majority of the 60-thousand temporary foreign workers are from Mexico, Guatemala, and Jamaica as well as other countries.

She notes they are also making provisions for temporary foreign workers that are already here.

“Those workers who are here in Canada right now can extend their work permit if they wish to. And they can also move from one form to another there's a more flexible mechanism that is being put in place.”

She emphasized that any farm or farming company bringing in Temporary Foreign Workers must make sure they follow the mandatory 14-day isolation period, or they could lose any future ability to hire temporary foreign workers.

Bibeau ensured Canadians that the government is committed to taking measures to protect health, and provide access to fresh fruits and vegetables and high-quality food products.

She notes they are focused on ensuring the supply chain is moving and that food gets from farm to plate, adding there are no barriers to moving food across the country.