The well-being of Ontario's agricultural workers will be enhanced by additional protection.
The province unveiled Friday a $15 million commitment to expanding its Agri-Food Workplace Protection Program, to support health and safety measures on farms and in food processing plants.
Ernie Hardeman, Ontario Minister of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs, said this additional funding will address challenges in the industry brought on by the COVID-19 pandemic.
"Agri-food businesses and their hardworking employees play a critical role in keeping our food supply chain strong, providing us with fresh, high-quality and nutritious food all year round," said Hardeman. "Today's investment will allow farmers to adapt to this new environment and implement additional health and safety measures during the COVID-19 outbreak."
The money will provide farmers with the ability to purchase masks and personal protection equipment (PPE). It will also enable business owners to modify workplaces and implement other safety measures.
Despite current trends showing COVID-19 cases dropping in Ontario, the largest percentage of new cases has come from workers in the agri-food industry. Dozens of workers in Essex County, almost all of them temporary foreign workers, tested positive this week for COVID-19. Two workers in the Leamington area have died.
In Chatham-Kent, a major outbreak occurred among workers at Greenhill Produce in Kent Bridge -- 101 employees there tested positive as well.
The funding more than triples a previous investment from both the province and the federal government. Last month, $4.5 million were jointly committed toward workplace safety in the agrifood industry.
Additionally, the provincial government is supporting farmers and agri-business owners by covering additional expenses stemming from COVID-19, such as costs for transportation and short-term housing for workers.
