Migrant Workers

Easing of Border Measurements for Temporary Foreign Workers
As per the Public Health Agency of Canada’s announcement, beginning July 5, 2021, at 12h01 AM EDT, fully vaccinated travellers including Temporary Foreign Workers (TFW's) will not be required to quarantine or complete a day-8 test. In addition, fully vaccinated travellers arriving by air will not be required to stay at a government-authorized hotel to await their on-arrival test results. The link below will provide more details.
COVID-19 vaccinated travellers entering Canada - Travel restrictions in Canada – Travel.gc.ca

Guide for Temporary Foreign Workers in Canada
Employment and Social Development Canada (ESDC) has released some guidance for foreign workers working in Canada. The below link is aimed at providing guidance to foreign workers on COVID-19 and working in Canada:
https://www.canada.ca/en/employment-social-development/campaigns/foreign-worker-rights/covid19-guide.html

Subsidies for Migrant Worker Isolation Costs
The Government of Canada recently extended the Mandatory Isolation Support for Temporary Foreign Workers Program. A new allocation of $57.6 million has been made to extend the Mandatory Isolation Support for Temporary Foreign Workers Program (MISTFWP) to August 31 2021. Support of up to $1,500 per worker can be provided to employers until June 15, 2021 for some of the costs associated with the mandatory 14 day isolation period. After June 15, 2021, employers can receive $750 per worker until the program ends on August 31, 2021.

Applications for the 2021 program year will be accepted until 6:00 p.m. EST April 21, 2021 or until funding has been fully committed or until otherwise announced by the program. The 2021 program year begins on January 1, 2021 and will provide funding for workers who arrive in Canada on or after January 1, 2021 and up to April 21, 2021, or the expiry or repeal of the Order under Quarantine Act (currently set to expire April 21, 2021), whichever comes first.

Employers in the primary agriculture, fish, seafood and food processing industries can receive $1,500 per temporary foreign worker hired through the Mandatory Isolation Support for Temporary Foreign Workers Program. The funding is meant to assist with incremental costs during the mandatory quarantine period such as:

* wages and benefits;
* off-site accommodations;
* transportation to and from any off-site accommodations;
* food or food allowances.

The 2021 program year begins on January 1, 2021 and will provide funding for workers who arrive in Canada on or after January 1, 2021 and up to April 21, 2021. For more information, see the link below:
http://www.agr.gc.ca/eng/?id=1588186409721


Frequently Asked Questions on Migrant Workers
The federal government has released a "Frequently Asked Questions" document on temporary foreign worker logistics. This FAQ explores several questions which are being commonly received regarding migrant workers. To download this file, please see the link below:
Q & A LINK


Other Temporary Foreign Worker Specific Data

• Government of Canada – Temporary Foreign Worker Compliance - https://www.canada.ca/en/employment-social-development/services/foreign-workers/employer-compliance.html
• Agriculture Employers Using Temporary Workers – COVID-19 Safety Tips - https://d1ow5xpphy0w2p.cloudfront.net/common/covid-19-agriculture-employers-using-temporary-workers-health-and-safety-guidance.pdf?mtime=20200622090134&focal=none
• COVID-19: A Guide for Temporary Foreign Workers in Canada - https://www.canada.ca/en/employment-social-development/campaigns/foreign-worker-rights/covid19-guide.html
• Government of Canada – Guidance for employers of temporary foreign workers regarding COVID-19 - https://www.canada.ca/en/employment-social-development/services/foreign-workers/employer-compliance/covid-guidance.html
• Government of Canada – Mandatory Isolation Support for Temporary Foreign Workers Program - https://www.agr.gc.ca/eng/agricultural-programs-and-services/mandatory-isolation-support-for-temporary-foreign-workers-program/?id=1588186409721
• Service Canada – Special Compliance Inspections during COVID-19 - https://cahrc-ccrha.ca/sites/default/files/Special%20Compliance%20Inspections%20during%20the%20COVID-19%20Pandemic.pdf
• Government of Canada – FAQ regarding temporary foreign workers and COVID-19 - https://www.canada.ca/en/employment-social-development/services/foreign-workers/employer-compliance/covid-faq.html