By The Canadian Press

federal support

Ottawa announces $62.5 million for country’s fish and seafood sector

Apr 25, 2020 | 11:01 AM

OTTAWA – Prime Minister Justin Trudeau is announcing a $62.5-million aid package to help the country’s fish and seafood processors protect workers from COVID-19.

Trudeau said today the money is earmarked for personal protective equipment and to help fish and seafood companies adapt their plants to comply with health directives.

The prime minister says the funding can also help pay for other equipment such as freezers, so that companies can store food products while they adapt their factories to ensure workers can maintain a safe distance from one another.

“The women and men in our fish and seafood sector have been feeding this country for generations. Through the new Canadian Seafood Stabilization Fund, our government is investing directly into this sector, ensuring the industry has the support it needs to adapt to current realities brought on by COVID-19,” says Bernadette Jordan, Minister of Fisheries, Oceans and the Canadian Coast Guard. “Bolstering our processing sector is vital to supporting fish harvesters and feeding Canadians.”

Fish and seafood are among the country’s top food exports and the industry employs roughly 72,000 people.

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COVID-19 infections are disrupting other parts of the country’s food sector, including the meat processing industry.

Cargill shut down its plant just north of High River, Alta., earlier this week after an outbreak of COVID-19 and the death of one employee.

(The Canadian Press)