Haldimand-Norfolk has vaccinated hundreds of migrant farm workers for COVID-19

Health officials in Haldimand and Norfolk have already administered roughly 340 COVID-19 vaccines to temporary farm workers,and planto administer hundreds moreby the end of the week.

The shots are going into arms as farmers wait for the federal and provincial government to release details oftheir strategies to ensuremigrant workers, whose role is essential to Canada's food security, will be kept safe.

Two pilot clinics for workers who have completed their mandated 14-day quarantine have been completed, according toKyra Hayes, Haldimand County's supervisor for corporate affairs.

"Approximately 340 workers have been vaccinated so far," she said in an email. "Another 260 migrant farm workers are scheduled to receive vaccines by the end of this week."

The province authorized the Haldimand-Norfolk Health Unit to vaccinate the workers, and gave extra doses "in order to vaccinate this vulnerable population and protect the community," Hayes said.

The health unit has issued a section 22 order limitingthe number of people isolating in the same bunkhouse to three, regardless of floor space. The order also saysfarm workers can only be transported from the airport in groups of three, rather than by the bus-load. Both have been a source of contention in the counties.

Health officials have said the rules are meant to protect workers, butfarmers fears itwill severely impact the 2021 growing season. On March 23, farmers gathered at a tractor rallyto protest the regulation.

Federal officials, includingCanada's Health Minister Patty Hajdu, have said the vaccine strategy, including for farm workers, is up to the province and local health officials.

At the end of March,Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs (OMAFRA)said it was talking tothe federal government about the best way to offer the shots to farm workers.

Phase 2 of the province's vaccine rollout, which started this month, willinclude agri-farm workers,depending onsupply, OMAFRA said at the time.

Ontario farmers protest COVID-19 rules for migrant workers

4 years ago

Duration 2:05

Farmers in Ontario's Norfolk County held a tractor protest on Tuesday, saying new COVID-19 rules restricting transportation and housing for migrant workers are threatening the 2021 growing season.

Dr. Barbara Yaffe, Ontario's associate chief medical officer of health, said Tuesday that the province is working on a pilot project of its own to vaccinate migrant workers at the airport.

Yaffe shared few other details, except that the project could potentially start this week.

"Temporary farm workers ...are atincreased risk because of the settings that they're going into, and so we want to make sure we get them vaccinated before they go there and make sure they're as protected as possible."

Advocacy group says shots must be consensual

Ensuring the safety of workers is something Chris Ramsaroophas also been pushing for as an organizer withJustice for Migrant Workers.

The advocacy group believes shots for farm workers are "critical" and there's "no question" they should be vaccinated.

But Ramsaroop said he has some concerns too.

"We have to ensure that workers aren't being coerced or compelled in this process," he said.

Workers should not face reprisals, includingbeing fired, because of their stance on vaccines, he said.

He stressed a consensual process with "real conversation about whythis is important."