Canadian Ag Officials Seek to Prioritize Health of Greenhouse Vegetable Workers

Posted by Brian Sparks|January 6, 2021

Lawmakers in Canada are working to position agricultural employees as a priority when it comes to testing for COVID-19.

Federal Conservatives are asking the government to bring in a rapid testing pilot project for international workers who are needed in Canadian vegetable greenhouses.

Shadow Minister for Agriculture and Agri-Food Lianne Rood and Quebec MP Richard Lehoux have issued a joint statement in which they note the current requirement that international travelers can’t board a flight bound for Canada until they test negative for COVID-19 does not account for needed isolation times before these people can start working.

The statement also says: “Greenhouse vegetable producers rely on international farm workers for their growing season, and vegetable growers need workers to continue packing crops. The new policy is set to come into effect this week with no clarity for thousands of Canadian farmers and their employees.”