Update:
The COVID-19 pandemic has highlighted challenges in certain housing and living conditions, particularly targeting congregate living settings where foreign workers often reside in close quarters. This has been made evident by the outbreaks on farms across Ontario.
In response, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau announced today the government of Canada has commenced consultations in order to improve living conditions for foreign workers across the country.
Trudeau's government said consultations have started with provinces and territories, employers, workers, worker support groups, and other interested parties in order to establish minimum requirements for employer-provided accommodations for the Temporary Foreign Worker Program.
The federal government is seeking input until Dec. 22 on proposed reccommendations as well as feedback on potential approaches to strengthen oversight of worker accommodations, a press release issued today stated. It will also be launching a survey of temporary foreign workers in the agricultural sector in order to inform the development of new reccommendations.
Original story:
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau is slated to make a COVID-19 announcement at 1130 a.m. this morning.
Trudeau will be joined by Minister of Families, Children and Social Development Ahmed Hussen, and President of the Queen’s Privy Council for Canada and Minister of Intergovernmental Affairs Dominic LeBlanc.
Deputy Chief Public Health Officer of Canada Dr. Howard Njoo will be in attendance. A media availability will follow.
Village Media will carry the livestream, so stay tuned.
