Please continue to consult the AAFC website regularly for updates. This week, we added information on assistance that is available to employers of temporary foreign workers with regards to the mandatory 14-day isolation period, as well as initiatives underway to increase the amount of employees in the agriculture and agri-food sector.
1. Foreign technicians deemed essential
We received confirmation from the Public Health Agency of Canada (PHAC) that technicians specified by manufacturer or the manufacturer warranty to maintain or repair equipment necessary to support critical infrastructure, including food, are deemed essential workers. As such, they are not subject to the 14-day mandatory isolation period. By order of the Chief Public Health Officer of Canada, these individuals must present an exemption form upon entering Canada. You will be able to find more information soon on PHAC’s website.
2. Additional financial support to businesses
On April 17, 2020, the Prime Minister, Justin Trudeau, announced new actions to provide more support to businesses and organizations dealing with the economic impacts of COVID-19, including:
- $675 million to give financing support to small and medium-sized businesses that are unable to access the government’s existing COVID-19 support measures, through Canada’s Regional Development Agencies.
- $287 million to support rural businesses and communities, including by providing them with much-needed access to capital through the Community Futures Network.
- $250 million to assist innovative, early-stage companies that are unable to access existing COVID-19 business support, through the National Research Council of Canada’s Industrial Research Assistance Program.
3. Canada Emergency Wage Subsidy (CEWS) Calculator
On April 21, 2020, the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) launched the Canada Emergency Wage Subsidy calculator to support employers as they prepare to apply for the CEWS. The calculator is a tool to help eligible employers estimate the amount of their wage subsidy.
4. AAFC Inventory: Economic support available to the agriculture and agri-food sector
Attached is the inventory of economic support available to the agriculture and agri-food compiled by AAFC. The list includes an overview of eligibility requirements, and applicability to the sector. Given that the landscape of measures is constantly changing, the attached list is current as of April 23, 2020. AAFC will continue to share updates during the noon-time stakeholder calls and circulate an updated list as additional information becomes available.
5. AAFC job portal is now live - Step up to the plate - help feed Canadians
On April 21, 2020, AAFC launched a website that serves as a portal for more information on national and provincial job campaigns and sector resources. The portal is accompanied by an awareness and recruitment campaign that will encourage those who are healthy and able to take a job that contributes to Canada’s food security.
6. COVID-19 Guidance – Canadian Centre for Occupational Health and Safety (CCOHS) and Canadian Agricultural Human Resource Council (CAHR)
For additional guidance on how to operate during the COVID-19 pandemic for higher-risk and essential occupations and industries, including food processing, please consult these free tip sheets. In addition, please note that CCOHS has made available free online courses to support workplaces in managing the COVID-19 pandemic, including on Pandemic planning and Pandemic Awareness.
You can also visit the CAHR’s website to obtain templates for pandemic preparedness plans. You can currently access the AgriHR Toolkit for free (discount code: COVID-19).
7. Update on Statistics Canada’s reports and products
On April 20, 2020, we sent you the list of reports and products that Statistics Canada will publish to continue to respond to the need for data related to the food supply. Please find attached a list of products that Statistics Canada continues to release that include data on the Canadian food and beverage processing industry.
8. Canadian Cattlemen’s Association (CCA): COVID-19 tools and guidance
The CCA has developed tools and guidance for COVID-19 in partnership with PHAC. The tools are available at https://www.cattle.ca/cca-resources/covid-19/
9. Update on international supply chains
- United States
We continue to monitor impacts on global agriculture and agri-food supply chains, particularly the highly integrated Canada-U.S. supply chain. On April 18, 2020, Canada and the U.S. agreed to extend border restrictions for another 30 days.
Last week, the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) announced $20.72 billion in support of the U.S. agriculture sector – (this includes $16 billion in direct payments and $4.72 billion in commodity purchases). More details have yet to be publically released by the USDA, including eligibility, payments rate, and other implementation details. We are monitoring this closely to ensure that the U.S. abides by its international obligations.
- Mexico
The Mexican government has announced that the suspension of non-essential activities due to COVID-19 will be extended until May 30th in regions classified as high-transmission. These regions include large cities such as: Mexico City and its surroundings, Monterrey, Guadalajara and Puebla.
- India
The Government of India has extended its lockdown period for an additional three weeks (until May 3, 2020). There have been previous reports of delays in testing and clearances at customs for non-essential shipments. However, the Government of India has now confirmed that ports and inland container depots for cargo transport will operate 24/7, easing restrictions to facilitate transportation of all agricultural goods (essential and non-essential).
Reminders
In case you missed it:
1) Special Compliance Inspections for Employers of the Temporary Foreign Worker Program during the COVID-19 Pandemic
On April 24, 2020 AAFC circulated information released by Employment and Social Development Canada (ESDC) regarding compliance inspections during COVID-19 for all temporary foreign workers employers. These new requirements are in accordance with changes to the Immigration and Refugee Protection Regulations (IRPR) that came into force on April 20, 2020.
2) CFIA Notice to Industry: Six-month extension for approved facilities to continue to export animal products
The CFIA has reached a temporary agreement with the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) around export and import of animal products between the two countries. It takes effect immediately and runs until September 30, 2020.
3) Update on Canada Summer Jobs
The Canada Summer Jobs call for applications closed in February 2020. The temporary changes announced by the Prime Minister on April 8, 2020 extended the application period to April 24, 2020 and increased the eligible wage subsidy. MPs are being asked to identify potential employers and local organizations who may not have originally for the program. Please consult ESDC’s website for more information on the temporary flexibilities for the Canada Summer Jobs introduced in response to the COVID-19 situation.