British Columbia Invests Nearly $5M To Protect Farm Workers During Pandemic

The Canadian government announced this week plans to invest $4.9 million to further protect farm workers in British Columbia during the pandemic. The funds announced by Marie-Claude Bibeau, Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food, will help farmers with direct infrastructure improvements to living quarters and work stations, temporary or emergency housing (on or off-farm), as well as personal protective equipment (PPE), sanitary stations, work stations and any other health and safety measures that safeguard the health and safety of Canadian and temporary foreign workers from COVID-19.

“Everyone needs to feel safe and supported when they go to work. Since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, protecting the health of all farm workers who are working hard to feed Canadians has been a top priority,” Bibeau said.  “With this program, British Columbia farmers will have the support they need to ensure the right measures are in place to safeguard their employees’ health and safety and limit the spread of the virus.”

Applications will be accepted until November 17^th; under the program will be cost-shared 50:50 with the applicants, up to $100,000.

An additional 10% will be provided to women, youth, visible minorities, Indigenous Peoples, and Persons with disabilities, amounting to a 60:40 split as the Government of Canada promotes and empowers underrepresented groups in the agricultural sector.

“[Investment Agriculture Foundation of British Columbia ]is delighted to be able to respond quickly and assist AAFC deliver funding to B.C.’s agriculture industries in these challenging times,” noted chairman Don Low.  “We are pleased the emergency on-farm support program has been established to directly address the urgent needs of our agriculture producers that are on the front-line of food production for our province and country. IAF is committed to helping industry access funding opportunities and delivering programs effectively and responsively.”

British Columbia produces more than 200 agriculture commodities and harvests 100 seafood species. In addition, B.C. has more than 1,500 businesses that produce foods and beverages ranging from breakfast cereal to wine to nutraceuticals.

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