WATCH: Essential Workers & Canada’s Response to COVID-19
On May 27, 2020, Senator Ratna Omidvar asked witnesses testifying before the Standing Senate Committee on Social Affairs, Science and Technology about the federal government’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic.
In this clip, Senator Omidvar asks Syed Hussan, executive director of the Migrant Workers Alliance for Change, what the federal government should do to better protect the labour rights of temporary foreign agricultural workers.
In this clip, Senator Omidvar asks Syed Hussan to comment on the Agri-Food Pilot program that provides a pathway to permanent residence for seasonal agricultural workers.
In this clip, Senator Omidvar asks Jeff Wilkins, National President of the Union of Canadian Correctional Officers (UCCO), why the UCCO opposes the release of low-risk and nonviolent offenders during the COVID-19 crisis, in spite of the recommendations of medical professionals.
In this clip, Syed Hussan comments on the exploitation of migrant workers in Canada.
In this clip, Senator Omidvar asks Miranda Ferrier, National President of the Canadian Support Workers Association, Deena Ladd, Co-founder and Coordinator of the Workers’ Action Centre, and Daniel Boyer, President of La Fédération des travailleurs et travailleuses du Québec (FTQ), to comment on the potential nationalization of long term care facilities.
In this clip, Senator Omidvar asks Miranda Ferrier about the number of personal support workers (PSWs) in Canada and how the profession has changed over time.