WATCH: What is the Government Doing to Protect Seasonal Agricultural Workers from Contracting COVID-19 on Canadian Farms? | Senator Omidvar

On June 16, 2020 Senator Omidvar asked Senator Gold, the Government Representative in the Senate, what the government is doing to address the ongoing problems with the Seasonal Agricultural Worker Program and protect temporary foreign workers, an estimated 300 of which have contracted COVID-19 in Canada.

Hon. Ratna Omidvar: Honourable senators, my question is for the Government Representative in the Senate, Senator Gold.

Senator Gold, I would like to raise a matter of great urgency and importance to Canadians, Canadian farms, Canadian farmers and their migrant workers.

Two weeks ago, at Senate Social Affairs Committee hearings we heard that on an annual basis roughly 50,000 seasonal agricultural workers are required to work on Canadian farms. At that point, 15,000 had been admitted. Of those, we now know that 300 have contracted the virus and 2 have died. The Mexican government, which is our largest partner in this bilateral agreement, has temporarily stopped migrants from leaving for Canada until they can get some answers.

This is a complete tragedy, Senator Gold. Can you tell us what the government is doing to deal with this serious matter? What are they doing to address the ongoing problems with the program?

Hon. Marc Gold (Government Representative in the Senate): Thank you, senator, for the question. It is, indeed, a tragedy. The government is saddened about the workers from Mexico who passed away due to COVID-19 and offers its condolences to the families affected.

The government takes the Mexican ambassador’s concerns very seriously. We’re a country that is committed to ensuring the safety and well-being of all workers, including those upon whom we rely for seasonal work, as we do across this country, no less so than in my home province of Quebec.

I am advised that the government has and will continue to engage regularly with officials at all levels in the Mexican government to ensure that their citizens are safe when they come here and receive the appropriate level of support when they work with us and for us in Canada. Furthermore, the government recognizes that there is more to do to protect temporary foreign workers in Canada and is committed to looking at additional steps that may be required.

Senator Omidvar: Thank you, Senator Gold, for that answer.

We also heard in that same committee that roughly 1,000 complaints have already been logged, including stolen wages during quarantine, being forced to work while awaiting test results, decrepit housing and inhumane treatment. A program that should have been a win for everyone has instead become a lose for everyone.

I want to point our attention to the role of ESDC in this matter. It is responsible for conducting inspections of farms. In their wisdom, they have decided to conduct these inspections over the phone and not in person because of the crisis.

First, how many inspections over the phone, or not, have been done? What has been the result of these inspections? Will the government bring back in-person inspections?

Senator Gold: Thank you for your question, senator. Again, it’s an important one.

The government, in fact, as is implied in your question, did change its inspection practices, as a result of public health concerns, to avoid extensive travel and exposure of Service Canada inspectors to risk.

I noted that the committee heard that there were inspections by phone, but, in fact — and I’m happy to correct this to this extent — these were live video inspections. They were not telephone inspections. I’m advised that under this arrangement the employer provides live video of the premises showing different locations as directed by the inspector, and it enables the inspector to view all living and working environments and to interview temporary workers on the spot for their input.

Live virtual inspections also allow Service Canada to conduct a far greater number of inspections than they would have been able to had they physically travelled. I don’t have the number of such inspections and can undertake to try to provide them to you.

Anyway, that’s how the government is managing inspections. It maintains its tip line for foreign workers, available in six different languages, and they help guide Service Canada when it decides how to prioritize which areas to inspect. Thank you for your question.