Thank you, Chair.
Good afternoon, Minister. Thank you for appearing at our committee today.
The 2021-22 budget allocated funds to extend the 14-day mandatory isolation support for the temporary foreign worker program. Nonetheless, not only is the program set to expire in August, but starting June 16, the maximum contribution amount will be reduced from $1,500 to $750 per worker. International farm workers will continue to arrive in Canada for the fall harvest even beyond August 31, and farmers will continue to incur the same costs but with only half the assistance they are used to receiving.
Your government is choosing to take away something that is extremely useful to farmers who are struggling with pandemic expenses. Ending the program in August, before the government lifts its quarantine restrictions, is unacceptable. It points to uncertainty for the future of Canada's agriculture sector and threatens our food sovereignty.
Minister, I'm wondering if you will ask your colleague, the Minister of Finance, to amend the budget immediately to maintain this program in full until pandemic restrictions and quarantines are lifted.