By: Thomas I. Likness
EBC Edmonton Bureau

EDMONTON (Eagle News) — Temporary foreign workers who help on Canadian farms will still be allowed to come to Canada.

With the 2020 growing season about to begin, many farmers were worried they wouldn’t have the help they need to harvest crops.

Hardest hit are fruit and vegetable growers who need the help by May.

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said Sunday that Canada will make sure the country’s farmers have the labor they need.

“We understand that our agricultural producers and farmers across the country, rely very much, as well as fish processors and the fisheries industry rely on temporary foreign workers to make sure that we can feed our country,” said Trudeau. “That has been the way for many, many years.

Trudeau said precautions will be taken to ensure these workers don’t bring COVID-10 into the country.

“We are, of course, looking to ensure that we are able to receive temporary foreign workers, that they will be properly quarantined for two weeks before they start doing the work that is so necessary for us all,” assured the prime minister.

Trudeau also suggested farmers could draw on domestic labor.

“At the same time, we see many, many Canadians out of work who are wanting to help out,” said Trudeau, suggesting farmers could hire students looking for summer jobs.

Up to 60,000 temporary foreign workers come to Canada every year.

Vegetable and fruit growers warn of shortages at grocery stores if the Seasonal Agricultural Workers Program is put on hold. Some said they might cut production if they don’t get the labor they need.

Time is of essence because some vegetable crops in Ontario are harvested as early as May.

Trudeau said he would have more to say on the issue in the coming weeks.

(Eagle News Service)