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Leamington ON – Greenhouse farms thank the federal government for yesterday’s announcement of an additional $58.6M to provide additional support and protections for foreign workers.
“Ontario Greenhouse Vegetable Growers and our members appreciate this new funding to boost protections for temporary foreign workers across Canada,” says Joe Sbrocchi, General Manager of Ontario Greenhouse Vegetable Growers (OGVG). “These measures will further help our members ensure the safety of workers on farm as well as assisting in further improvements to living quarters needed due to COVID-19”.
“All of our members want to keep their workers safe and healthy and continue growing food for all Canadians,” said George Gilvesy Chair of OGVG. “With this funding our farmers will have access to more resources to ensure that farm workers are healthy are safely housed.”
The funding, announced on Friday July 31 is targeted towards supports for temporary foreign workers, including direct outreach to workers, improving and strengthening farm inspections regime, enhancing the living conditions of temporary foreign workers, increasing PPE supply and other health and safety measures to prevent and respond to the spread of COVID-19. These and other measures are supported by OGVG and its members.
“We need the collective efforts of growers, governments and local health authorities to help farmers keep employees safe and maintain our food supply,” said Justine Taylor Science & Government Relations Manager with OGVG. “Our greenhouse farmers are committed to continuing to work with government and health officials to protect the health and safety of our essential agricultural employees so they can continue to ensure locally grown fruits and vegetables are available year-round.”