As Canada tightens travel restrictions surrounding people crossing the border amid the COVID-19 outbreak, clarification is still needed for the Temporary Foreign Worker Program and Seasonal Agricultural Worker Program. Impacting many local farmers with migrant workers expected to arrive soon for the planting season.

In a press release Haldimand-Norfolk Diane Finley had this to say:

 

Starting March 18th at noon, Canada will be closing its border to all non-citizens. Permanent residents, immediate family members of Canadian citizens, diplomats, air crews, and U.S. citizens are still allowed into Canada at this time. All Canadians have been advised to avoid all non-essential travel outside of Canada until further notice and those who are currently travelling abroad have been urged to come back to Canada immediately. Additionally, all Canadians returning from travel must self-quarantine for 14 days.

“Travelling outside of the country and what happens when people return is at the top of many minds. If you are currently travelling abroad, my message is to come home now, and when you return, please follow Public Health guidelines and self-quarantine for 14 days,” Finley urged.

There has been no information on how the border restrictions will be impact programs that farmers rely on, such as the Temporary Foreign Worker Program and Seasonal Agricultural Worker Program.

“I can assure farmers in Haldimand-Norfolk that my Conservative colleagues responsible for these files contacted their federal counterparts immediately, urging them to address the impacts to farmers who are expecting workers to arrive soon for the planting season. When we receive that information, I will share that with farmers,” Finley said.

We’ll have more as this develops