The governments of Canada and Ontario will invest $11.6 million to help Ontario farmers stop the spread of COVID-19 on their farms, the Ontario government says in a news release on Oct. 13.
“We will continue to provide Ontario farmers with the support they need to ensure the right measures are in place to safeguard their employees and limit the spread of the virus,” Marie-Claude Bibeau, federal Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food, says in the release.
Actions such as building physical barriers for worker separation, upgrading HVAC systems and enhancing hand-washing facilities will be eligible for this funding, the release notes.
Under the expanded program, the amount farmers can claim for preventive expenses including a combination of workplace modifications, PPE, transportation and temporary housing will double to $15,000, the release says.
The program will also include a new category for small capital projects of up to $100,000 for housing modifications, workplace modifications and equipment to allow greater physical distancing for workers.
This funding is in addition to the June $15 million workplace safety announcement.
