Farmers get federal support for foreign workers

The federal government is providing $50 million to help farmers and food processors cover the costs associated with mandatory quarantine rules for temporary workers coming in from outside the country.

The federal agriculture minister said the foreign workers used by farms will have to quarantine for 14 days before they can start work, but will still have to be paid during that period.

Marie-Claude Bibeau said the funding will help offset those costs for farmers and will give employers $1,500 per worker to help put quarantine measures in place.