Bibeau Says Rules Are In Place For Temporary Foreign Workers Arriving In Canada

In the last few weeks we've started to see Temporary Foreign Workers arriving in preparation for work in greenhouses and on the farm.

 

Federal Agriculture Minister Marie Claude Bibeau says many farmers opted to bring workers in earlier this year, so they could do their 14 day isolation before the date when they want them to start working.

 

"What we have added in terms of sanitary measures is actually the same as any other travellers. They have to do this pre-boarding test before they leave their country, and show in the negative results obviously. Then when they arrive in the airport in Canada they have to go through a second test. And if they can drive directly, or you know take a private transportation to the farm or to the place where they are supposed to do their 14-day isolation, they can proceed directly. They don't have to stay in a hotel."

 

The majority of temporary foreign workers in Canada are employed in the Agriculture sector and come from a variety of countries including Mexico, Jamaica and Guatemala.

Video: Finding a Balance of Innovation and Regulation - Dr. Peter Facchini

Regulations help markets and industry exist on level playing fields, keeping consumers safe and innovation from going too far. However, incredibly strict regulations can stunt innovation and cause entire industries to wither away. Dr. Peter James Facchini brings his perspective on how existing regulations have slowed the advancement of medical developments within Canada. Given the international concern of opium poppy’s illicit potential, Health Canada must abide by this global policy. But with modern technology pushing the development of many pharmaceuticals to being grown via fermentation, is it time to reconsider the rules?

Dr. Peter James Facchini leads research into the metabolic biochemistry in opium poppy at the University of Calgary. For more than 30 years, his work has contributed to the increased availability of benzylisoquinoline alkaloid biosynthetic genes to assist in the creation of morphine for pharmaceutical use. Dr. Facchini completed his B.Sc. and Ph.D. in Biological Sciences at the University of Toronto before completing Postdoctoral Fellowships in Biochemistry at the University of Kentucky in 1992 & Université de Montréal in 1995.