Canadian Government to Provide $50 Million in Support for Temporary Foreign Workers

The Canadian government has announced that it will be providing $50 million to support temporary foreign workers who are self-isolating due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The funding will be available to those in farming, fishing, as well as food production and processing.

In order to help employers and temporary foreign workers meet current health regulations, the government will provide $1,500 for each temporary foreign worker to help cover the costs of transportation and accommodation, as well as food and basic supplies. This is to ensure that new arrivals may complete the 14-day self-isolation period before going to work for a Canadian employer. 

The federal government has stated that this support will continue to be available as long as the Quarantine Act is in place and the self-isolation protocol is being followed. It has also mandated that employers must continue to pay their employees’ wages during this time. 

The government estimates that between 50,000 to 60,000 foreign agricultural, food and fish processing workers come to work in Canada each year, accounting for more than 60 per cent of all foreign workers entering Canada under the Temporary Foreign Worker Program.

Temporary foreign workers are an essential component of the Canadian food supply chain. We are glad to see the federal government stepping in to support these workers and, by extension, the Canadian population. 

If you’re interested in learning more about your options for Canadian immigration at this time, simply fill out our free online assessment and a member of our team will be in touch shortly!