Ontario to inspect farms, greenhouses that hire foreign workers

QUEEN’S PARK — Ontario is inspecting farms and greenhouses with foreign workers to ensure all the health and safety rules are being followed.

The province announced last month that as of Jan. 14 inspectors would be heading out into the countryside to make sure agricultural operations are following all the rules and taking all the required precautions, particularly concerning COVID-19, for their workers.

That includes raising awareness of both farmers and workers about the requirements, including enforcing things like hand washing, wearing masks and active screening for COVID-19, and ensuring compliance with the Occupational Health and Safety Act.

Inspectors will be able to issue orders and lay charges. The maximum penalty for a health and safety conviction is a $1.5 million fine for a corporation or a $100,000 fine for an individual, and up to 12 months in jail.