The Government of Canada has taken steps to support workers in the fishing industry who are feeling the economic impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Latest Update - March 16th, 2021: The Government of Canada will be moving forward with a two-pronged approach to quarantine requirements for TFWs after March 21st, 2021. This will apply to TFWs with work visas in agriculture, agri-food, fish and seafood sectors based on their final destination:
- Asymptomatic TFWs will be able to travel directly to their place of quarantine after getting a COVID-19 test at the airport provided they travel by private transportation and are accompanied only by others who travelled with them to Canada.
- TFWs who will need to travel by public means of transportation to a secondary location upon arrival in Canada will be required to stay in a GAA and await the results of their COVID-19 test.
The Government of Canada also announced a range of enhanced actions to better protect TFWs and support employers.
Canadian Fish and Seafood Opportunities Fund
The $42.85 million Canadian Fish and Seafood Opportunities Fund enables the Government of Canada and provincial and territorial partners to support industries’ priority projects and help people working in the fish and seafood sector by creating jobs and developing more opportunities for products.
To address the challenges facing the fish and seafood sector, and to capitalize on new market opportunities, the program supports:
- branding and promotional strategies that increase the recognition of Canada as a global leader in providing high quality, legally and sustainably sourced, value-added products
- maintaining and accessing new markets
- ensuring product integrity throughout the supply chain
- strengthening relationships and fostering increased collaboration and organization within the Canadian fish and seafood sector
This is a cost-shared program, wherein 70% of each project will be federal funding, and 30% will be provincial or territorial funding.
