Dear members,
Please find in this email an update on some of the regulations, support programs, news and guidelines for the fishing industry current to April 2, 2020.
Lorne Clayton, Executive Director CHMSF, is recovering from surgery but continues to dedicate his time to the BC tuna industry. We wish him the best on his road to recovery.
2. Public Safety Canada has released “Guidance on Essential Services and Functions in Canada during the COVID-19 Pandemic” (https://www.publicsafety.gc.ca/cnt/ntnl-scrt/crtcl-nfrstrctr/esf-sfe-en.aspx). It was developed in consultation with provinces, territories, and national unions. This guidance is evergreen and will be adjusted as needed. The purpose of the document is to help provinces / territories, Indigenous communities, and municipalities protect their communities while maintaining the reliable operation of critical infrastructure services and functions to ensure the health, safety, and economic well-being of the population.
3. Business support: As part of B.C.’s COVID-19 Action Plan, the B.C. government is providing an additional $5 billion in income supports, tax relief and funding for people, businesses and services in response to the COVID-19 outbreak. Please visit the link below to access a list compiled by BC Government’s Small Business Branch for the current supports available from across government and the private sector: (https://www2.gov.bc.ca/assets/gov/employment-business-and-economic-development/business-management/small-business/covid-19_small_business_supports.pdf)
4. Support for individuals (https://www.canada.ca/en/department-finance/economic-response-plan/covid19-individuals.html) Fish harvesters may be included in the list of workers entitled to the Canada Emergency Response Benefit (folk who have lost their income due to COVID-19), there are also options for mortgage supports and tax return due date deferrals.
5. COVID-19 Support Program: To ensure producers, agribusinesses and food processors (including seafood) can remain focused on business-critical functions rather than worrying about how to access funds to keep operating through this challenging period. See link for more details: https://www.fcc-fac.ca/en/covid-19/program-details.html
6. Guidance to Meat Slaughter and Processing Establishments on Prevention and Response to Suspect and Confirmed COVID-19 Plant Employees
The Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) released guidance for meat slaughter and processing establishments on prevention and response to suspect and confirmed COVID-19 plant employees. While aimed at meat processing facilities, this guidance can also be applied more broadly to other third party establishments.
Each establishment should abide by the advice and guidance provided by the Public Health Agency of Canada (PHAC) as well as by local Public Health Authorities in addressing the COVID-19 outbreak.
This document will continue to be updated as new requirements and information are identified. Enquiries concerning the content of this guidance may be directed to your local CFIA office or sent by email.
7. Request to complete survey - Covid-19 Sanitization Products and PPE Needs Assessment Survey (more for seafood processors, but fish harvesters should also take a look) (copied from PHMA email)
Recognizing that the spread of COVID-19 has created shortages in sanitization products and Personal Protective Equipment (PPE), Public Safety Canada is seeking input from critical infrastructure owners and operators to better understand the scope of potential shortages in Canada. We received this from AAGC and from the FCC, through the BC Seafood Alliance.
We need to make sure sufficient industry people complete this if we want to make sure there is sufficient equipment (Christina has noted that a week ago East Coast processors said they were well-supplied; now they don’t think they are. - especially with the medical shortages). PLEASE TAKE THE TIME TO DO THE SURVEY.
To: Direct Corporate Members and Special Sector Association Members
Index: MBR-2020-38
Subject: COVID-19 Sanitization Products and PPE Needs Assessment Survey
What you need to know
Recognizing that the spread of COVID-19 has created shortages in sanitization products and Personal Protective Equipment (PPE), Critical Infrastructure Partnerships of Public Safety Canada is seeking input from critical infrastructure owners and operators to better understand the scope of potential shortages in Canada.
Context
In particular, they are seeking input through a needs assessment survey (https://report-rapport.ps-sp.gc.ca/s.asp?k=158524877596) to gather information on the quantity and types of products/equipment that is required across the essential services and functions in Canada. Please note: This questionnaire is voluntary. We ask that no personal information about yourself or another individual be included. Should personal information be received, it will not be considered and it will be deleted. Results will only be shared in aggregate form, and will be used for discussion through existing engagement mechanisms, including the National Cross Sector Forum on Critical Infrastructure.
This survey is being shared with CI owners and operators, Provincial and Territorial government partners, and national associations related to CI. Please feel free to share this link with other organizations in your industry. We encourage all members to participate in this survey. Special purpose associations can also share this with their members as they wish.
And finally, a bit of good news to share with your greater communities “96 percent of Canadian fisheries harvest at sustainable levels” : https://www.innovatingcanada.ca/environment/what-keeps-canadas-fish-and-seafood-safe-and-sustainable/?utm_source=client&utm_medium=social#