COVID-19 Government Updates May 11, 2020

Introductory remarks
On Friday, May 8, 2020, AAFC sent an email update to industry stakeholders that included information and links on the following topics:

Update on Mandatory Isolation Support for Temporary Foreign Workers Program (MISTFWP)
Workplace guidance for sector employers and employees (AAFC document)
Tariff relief to importers of certain medical goods May 5 announcement by the Prime Minister on targeted support for the agriculture and agrifood sector
May 7 announcement by the Prime Minister on wage subsidy top-up
New guidance for the International Experience Canada (IEC) program
Web link for those seeking clarification on who is exempt from mandatory quarantine (selfisolation)
Communication lines on maintaining a stable food supply for export during COVID-19.

Temporary Foreign Workers (TFWs) & Other Labour issues

AAFC noted that, since April 1st, there have been approximately 12,000 TFWs enter Canada and approximately 1,700 more booked on charter flights from Guatemala (4 flights), Jamaica (3 flights) and St. Vincent (1 flight) over the next week. It was noted that this flight from St. Vincent is the first charter flight to be planned from this country.
On May 8, 2020, Immigration, Refugee and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) published new guidance for the International Experience Canada (IEC) program, one of the main programs youth come to work in Canada, under.
The main change for this year is that foreign nationals currently outside Canada who hold a valid IEC work permit or Letter of Introduction will require proof of an active job offer before they can enter Canada. Upon entry, they can only start their employment after completing the 14-day isolation period.

Update on Mandatory Isolation Support for Temporary Foreign Workers Program (MISTFWP)

Businesses are now able to apply online to receive up to $1,500 per TFW under the MISTWFP.

The MISTFWT is a one-time $50-million program to help with the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic on food supply in Canada by assisting the farming, fish harvesting, and food production and processing sectors. The program is designed to help employers cover some of the incremental costs associated with the mandatory 14-day isolation period imposed under the Quarantine Act on temporary foreign workers upon entering Canada.

Program

AAFC noted that 5,100 employers received an email invitation to apply for the new Mandatory Isolation Support for Temporary Foreign Workers Program (MISTFWP) last week. AAFC noted that they are administering the MISTFWP across Canada with the exception of Prince Edward Island. Eligible employers in the province of Prince Edward Island can apply for the program through their provincial government.
This funding is a one-time $50-million federal investment to help with the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic on food supply in Canada by assisting the farming, fish harvesting, and food production and processing sectors. The Program will assist Canadian employers with some of the incremental costs associated with the mandatory 14-day quarantine period imposed under the Quarantine Act on temporary foreign workers upon entering Canada.
It was indicated that applications can be submitted online, by email, mail or fax and must be received by AAFC by August 15th. It was also noted that the program will be eligible to expenses from March 26, 2020 to June 30, 2020. Industry was directed to notify AAFC if there were employers who did not receive the information and that there is a toll-free line available for employers to ask questions.

Tariff relief to importers of certain medical goods

On May 6, 2020, the Government of Canada announced it is waiving customs duties on imports of certain medical supplies, including personal protective equipment (PPE) such as masks and gloves, until further notice. This measure is effective May 5, 2020, on a prospective basis and will remain in effect for as long as warranted by the COVID-19 crisis. It is intended to ensure that tariffs do not create a cost or supply barrier when accessing critical goods from outside Canada

Relief is available to all importers including businesses, distributors, and individual Canadians on specified medical goods and equipment A list of the goods covered is included in the Canada Border Services Agency Customs Notice 20-19.

Seeking clarification on who is exempt from mandatory quarantine (self-isolation)?

If you have questions related to who is exempt from the 14 days mandatory quarantine upon entry to Canada, including about the interpretation of the recent addition of technicians specified by manufacturer or the manufacturer warranty to maintain or repair equipment necessary to support critical infrastructure, we encourage you to contact PHAC at 1-833-784-4397 (interpretation services are available in multiple languages) or at phac.emergencyorder-decretdurgencecovid19.aspc@canada.ca.

Targeted support for the agriculture and agri-food sector

On May 5, 2020, the Prime Minister, Justin Trudeau, announced targeted support for the agriculture and agri-food sector, including:

$77.5 million Emergency Processing Fund
national AgriRecovery initiatives of up to $125 million
Surplus Food Purchase Program with an initial $50 million fund
Intention to work with provinces and territories to increase interim AgriStability payments and an expansion to the AgriInsurance program.

The Prime Minister also announced the intention to increase the Canadian Dairy Commission’s borrowing limit by $200 million to support costs associated with the temporary storage of cheese and butter to avoid food waste. The government will work with opposition parties to achieve the required legislative change.

The details/criteria for these programs are still being finalized and will be shared with stakeholders as soon as possible.

Wage subsidy top-up

On May 7, 2020, the Prime Minister, Justin Trudeau, announced that all provinces and territories have confirmed (or are in the process of confirming) plans to cost share wage top-ups for their essential workers. It was designed as a transfer to provinces and territories to help in the fight against COVID 19.

The eligibility recipients of the wage top-ups will vary across the country, as each province and territory had the flexibility to choose which essential workers will be prioritized for the wage increases in their individual jurisdictions. We encourage you to reach out to your provincial/territorial governments to find out more about the eligibility of the agriculture and agri-food sector.

Workplace guidance for sector employers and employees

AAFC worked with federal partners to develop guidance for the sector, summarizing important information based on questions that have been received over the last few weeks related to public health guidance as well as providing links to key resources. The information is now live at “Workplace guidance for sector employers and employees”. AAFC will continually update this webpage as new guidance is available or as need for more information is noted by industry, so please check back regularly.

New guidance for the International Experience Canada (IEC) program

On May 8, 2020, Immigration, Refugee and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) published new guidance for the International Experience Canada program, one of the main programs youth come to work in Canada under. The IEC Program includes up to three different streams of work permits for youth, depending on the arrangement: international co-op, young professionals, and working holiday. These NEW measures come into effect today and a message has been sent to partner countries and stakeholders.

Effective May 8th, 2020 and lasting until further notice, only foreign nationals currently outside Canada who: (i) hold a valid IEC work permit or Letter of Introduction; and (ii) have a current and active offer of employment will be permitted to enter Canada. Please note that this new provision applies to all three streams of IEC work permits: international co-op, young professionals, and working holiday. Foreign nationals who do not have a job offer should not come to Canada at this time. Further, those who do have a job offer and are currently outside Canada must confirm that their employer is not subject to mandatory closure of non-essential businesses and will be able to start their employment after the 14-day isolation period before making any travel arrangements.

IRCC has developed a web page on Questions and Answers related to COVID-19. Please check these sites periodically, as they will be updated with new information as required. IEC participants and case-specific questions should be directed to IRCC using this IRCC web form.

Seeking clarification on who is exempt from mandatory quarantine (self-isolation)?

Communication Lines – Maintaining a stable food supply for export during COVID-19

Some of you have mentioned on previous calls that you are receiving an increase in international inquiries on Canada’s ability to maintain existing export levels. To assist in addressing, please find attached communication lines in both official languages that you can use to address these concerns.