Feds unveil $50M boost to help agriculture sector handle 14-day COVID-19 quarantine

The federal government is providing $50 million to help farmers and food processors cover the costs associated with mandatory quarantine rules for workers coming in from outside the country.

Federal Agriculture Minister Marie-Claude Bibeau says the labour shortage on farms is acute and depends on foreign temporary workers.

But rules designed to prevent the spread of COVID-19 mean this year's incoming workers must quarantine for 14 days.

Bibeau says employers are committed to making sure workers follow those rules but they do come at a cost.

She says the money is designed to help offset those and will give employers $1,500 per worker to help put quarantine measures in place.