2009-04-28
Gary Rennie
Greenhouse owners and vegetable and fruit growers are worried the offshore worker program could be temporarily halted by the outbreak of Mexican swine flu.
The Windsor Star
Greenhouse owners and vegetable and fruit growers are worried the offshore worker program could be temporarily halted by the outbreak of Mexican swine flu.
About two-thirds of the 5,000 migrant workers who come to Essex County for months at a time are from Mexico.
Larry Verbeke, a vice-president of the Essex County Federation of Agriculture, said a majority of the Mexican workers needed by local farmers are likely already here.
However, he said another influx would be expected in several months.
Small numbers of migrant workers are always leaving and arriving as well, Verbeke said.
So far, Canadian federal health and agriculture officials are content with increased medical screening of Mexican workers before they leave for Canada, and no limits have been put on the offshore worker program.
Across Canada, about 20,000 offshore workers are recruited annually for greenhouses, vegetable and fruit farms in Ontario, Quebec, Manitoba and British Columbia.
They come from Central America and Jamaica, as well as Mexico.
Leamington Deputy Mayor Rob Schmidt, also a farmer, said there's concern among local residents about the Mexican swine flu, given the large number of Mexican nationals, but "nobody's panicking.
"People are waiting to see what's going to happen," Schmidt said.
Bernard Nelson, a Kingsville dairy farmer and president of the Essex County Federation of Agriculture, expects the Mexican swine flu will be closely watched in this area because of the numbers of migrant workers from that country.
"That's the first thing I thought of," he said when he heard about the flu.
Since the 1960s, offshore workers have done farm work across Canada that Canadians frequently shun. They typically make $9 to $12 an hour, depending on the type of work.
HOSPITAL STEPS
WHAT TO DO
With the World Health Organization raising the alert level on swine flu to a Phase 4 public health emergency, Windsor Regional Hospital is asking all its visitors two questions: Are you experiencing a new or worsening cough or shortness of breath? Are you feverish?
Visitors who answer yes to either or both of the above questions are advised not to visit family and friends at the hospital. Instead, they should seek medical attention.
Patients who answer yes to either question will be asked to wear a mask to their appointments.
WRH said the steps are necessary as part of worldwide efforts to stem the spread of the disease.
According to WRH, a Phase 4 health alert means the virus is becoming increasingly adept at spreading among humans.
Agriculture and horticulture workers
Policy analysis
Sensibilisation du public
Canada, Ontario, Alberta, México, Manitoba, Quebec, Colombie-Britannique, Autres provinces, Fédéral, Nouvelle-Écosse et National relevance
Anglais