Document Details

2009-04-27

Julia Foy

CTV News

Thousands of seasonal agricultural workers from Mexico, who come to Canada to work on Fraser Valley farms, are now being subjected to mandatory screening for swine influenza.

Currently, Canadians returning home from Mexico and Mexican tourists are only being encouraged to go to a clinic if they have any symptoms of the illness.

At a support centre for migrant workers in the region, the outbreak in their home country is causing workers major concern.

They worry the flu outbreak could be used as an excuse to block Mexican migrant workers from coming to this country.

Gasper Seluiera is one of up to 3,000 Mexicans who will help harvest everything from flowers to fruit. The 26-year-old is not sure what will happen.

"I spoke to my wife...one person in my state is dead," he said.

"We need to calm down. Need to have normal life. But for sure we are worried. [We] don't know what happened," said another man at the centre.

The immigration minister brought in the screening measures.

"We are working in co-operation with Mexican authorities and have increased medical screening for all temporary foreign workers," Jason Kenney said.

The farm workers will now have to have a temperature check by two doctors, fill out a questionnaire, and have a physical exam before being allowed to board a flight to Canada.

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  Farm workers from Mexico screened for swine flu (http://www.ctvbc.ctv.ca/servlet/an/local/CTVNews/20090428/bc_mexican_workers_090427/20090428/?hub=BritishColumbiaHome)
  

Agriculture and horticulture workers

Policy analysis

Public awareness

Canada, Ontario, Alberta, México, Manitoba, Quebec, British Columbia, Other provinces, Federal, Nova Scotia, and National relevance

English