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By Pete McIntyre
labour shortages

MP, MLA meet with farmers to discuss COVID issues

Aug 18, 2020 | 1:53 PM

The MP for North Okanagan says he will continue to push for programs that allow the agriculture sector to thrive while upholding farm workers rights and safety.

Mel Arnold of the Conservatives — and others — recently met in Vernon with local orchardists to discuss the impact of COVID-19 and the lack of seasonal workers this year.

Also taking part was David Epp, an Ontario MP and farmer, Eric Foster, MLA for Vernon Monashee and the Vernon and District Immigrant and Community Services Society.

“This was a great opportunity to collaborate with MP David Epp on best practices, issues and solutions from both provincial and federal perspectives on immigrant and seasonal workers in Canada and the impact of COVID-19 on the agricultural labour market in all areas” Arnold said.

Epp said it allowed for the sharing of ideas from different agricultural regions of Canada and bringing together support service providers to discuss what is working and how programs might be improved.

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Arnold and other MP’s continue to call for a new program pairing student workers with positions in the food supply system.

“While a program matching student workers to food supply chain jobs could have helped alleviate some of the labour shortages, seasonal agricultural workers are still needed to meet the demand on area farms and orchards. Agriculture is a key component of our economy and lifestyle here in the North Okanagan–Shuswap. I will continue to seek input and advocate for programs that enable our agriculture sector to thrive while upholding farm workers rights and safety,” Arnold said.

by Pete McIntyre
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