The provincial and federal governments have teamed up to support temporary foreign workers from Trinidad and Tobago who have been stranded in Ontario.
Minister of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs, Ernie Hardeman says provincially, 400 farm workers are unable to return home as they haven’t received COVID-19 travel exemptions.
Locally, Medical Officer of Health, Dr. Shanker Nesathurai estimates over 100 workers in Haldimand and Norfolk are affected.
Hardeman says funding has been allocated to assist farmers in providing housing, meals, winter clothing and other necessities.
The funding is available through a special category under the federal-provincial Enhanced Agri-Food Workplace Protection Program.
Farmers and workers can contact 1-877-424-1300 or email ag.info.omafra@ontario.ca for more information.