It has been announced that Ottawa will allow foreign workers into Canada to work in the seafood and agri-food sectors. The seafood processors of P.E.I. are elated (were the P.E.I. fishers consulted or only the processors?), while the Seafood Association of Nova Scotia wants the federal Department of Fisheries to issue an order to shut down lobster harvesting, stating more lobsters are being caught than the market can absorb.
People only have money to spend on basic necessities. Lobsters are a food necessity for Indigenous peoples and are distributed to their band members who process and put up their own winter foods, but lobsters are considered an expensive delicacy otherwise.
Countries, provinces and cities now have stringent public health laws, some that are enforced with fines. Self-isolate. Stay home. Wash your hands. Physically distance yourself. No large gatherings. Many people are adhering to this advice?
How will these workers travel from the airport to begin their mandatory two-week self-isolation? What about their accommodations, shared bedrooms, shared bathrooms and shared kitchens, during self-isolation? Afterwards, how will they travel to work, necessary shopping and elsewhere in the community? Will any processors who hire them ensure that these workers are protected according to our public health laws? This could be a time bomb waiting to explode.
Young or old, healthy or infirmed, anyone can become infected by COVID-19. People can transmit this virus even if they don’t have symptoms.
I am grateful for a feed of lobster but I can wait.
Our federal Egmont Liberal member seems very pleased with this announcement. Mr. Morrissey, stand up and tell your government to rescind this decision until such time COVID-19 has been eradicated totally. I hope our premier will also address this issue. We already have cases of COVID-19. P.E.I. is small enough and is acting quickly enough to keep this number low. Greed and politics will only unnecessarily and inordinately increase COVID-19 here on our Island.
Gary A O MacKay,
Birch Hill
