Lianne Rood, Conservative Shadow Minister for Agriculture and Agri-Food, is calling on Liberal Health Minister Patty Hajdu to initiate a COVID-19 rapid testing pilot for international farmers workers coming to Canada in January 2021.
“Almost a year after the pandemic began, Canadians have yet to see a detailed plan on testing and vaccine deployment,” said Rood in a November 27 news release. “No one should have to quarantine for 14 days alone in Ontario, or miss work waiting days for test results, while citizens in other countries have access to rapid tests and vaccines.”
Rood says isolation affects mental health, causing farmers to lose important production time. She notes if this carries over into the 2021 production year, Canada’s food security could be put in jeopardy.
“If the Trudeau government can partner with Alberta to launch a pilot for rapid testing at the Calgary Airport, they can launch a similar pilot to test international farm workers arriving for the greenhouse growers’ season in January,” added Rood. “Conservatives will continue to fight for farmers, workers and Canada’s food security,”
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