Accessing Agriculture Industry Temporary Foreign Workers – Recent Changes In Response To COVID-19

At the outset of the COVID-19 outbreak, the Government of Canada put in place initial restrictions on travel into Canada to help slow the number of travel related infection cases in the country.

These travel restrictions resulted in an almost complete ban on foreign nationals coming to Canada. The blanket restriction created significant problems for industries that rely heavily on temporary foreign workers, including the agriculture industry. Thousands of seasonal and non-seasonal temporary foreign workers enter Canada every year and play a vital role in Canada's food supply chain.

The Government of Canada has recognized the importance temporary foreign workers play in vital supply chains, with specific recognition of those working in the agriculture industry.  Modifications have now been made to the Temporary Foreign Worker Program (the "TFWP") and various travel restrictions to better allow access to foreign workers. Although changes have been made, businesses