As a matter of food security, the federal government has confirmed that Temporary Foreign Workers will be permitted to enter Canada despite travel restrictions surrounding COVID-19.

On Saturday, Agriculture & Agri-Food Minister Marie-Claude Bibeau said the next step will be to work with countries where the workers are coming from.

She notes planes will be chartered by industry and paid by employers who will get them.

"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 the right to hire foreign workers for the coming years."

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.

*********************************************

Saturday's announcement follows up on the government news release from March 20, 2020:

Exemptions to the air travel restrictions will apply to foreign nationals who have already committed to working, studying or making Canada their home, and travel by these individuals will be considered essential travel for land border restrictions.

The exemptions include

- seasonal agricultural workers, fish/seafood workers, caregivers and all other temporary foreign workers

- international students who held a valid study permit, or had been approved for a study permit, when the travel restrictions took effect on March 18, 2020

- permanent resident applicants who had been approved for permanent residence before the travel restrictions were announced on March 16, 2020, but who had not yet travelled to Canada

- In addition, a temporary modification is being made to the Labour Market Impact Assessment process for agriculture and food processing employers, as the required 2-week recruitment period will be waived for the next 6 months.

We are also increasing the maximum allowable employment duration for workers in the low-wage stream of the Temporary Foreign Worker Program from 1 to 2 years. This will improve flexibility and reduce the administrative burden for employers, including those in food processing.

To safeguard the continuity of trade, commerce, health and food security for all Canadians, temporary foreign workers in agriculture, agri-food, seafood processing and other key industries will be allowed to travel to Canada under exemptions being put in place to the air travel restrictions that took effect on March 18.

In addition to health screening protocols before travel, all individuals entering from abroad must isolate for 14 days upon their arrival in Canada.

Allowing foreign workers to enter Canada recognizes their vital importance to the Canadian economy, including food security for Canadians and the success of Canadian food producers. The arrival of farm workers and fish/seafood workers is essential to ensure that planting and harvesting activities can take place. There will always be jobs available for Canadians who wish to work on farms and at food processing plants.

Those affected by these exemptions should not try to travel to Canada immediately. We will announce when the exemptions are in place, which we anticipate will be early next week.