Will Bouma
Will Bouma

STATEMENT FROM WILL BOUMA MPP, BRANTFORD-BRANT

June 2, 2020
The Province of Ontario’s primary concern is the health and safety of all Ontarians. Daily, the Government of Ontario has provided updates in a clear and transparent manner – our Premier has been open and accessible.

Recently, more than 120 confirmed COVID-19 positive migrant farm workers, from outside Brantford-Brant were relocated to Brantford for a 14-day mandatory quarantine. Brant County Health Unit (BCHU) and Haldimand-Norfolk Health Unit (HNHU) in collaboration with parties involved, have put a plan in place to ensure the safety of workers, hotel staff and the community. 

This process involving hotels is one that BCHU has already overseen in our jurisdiction when workers arrived and served their mandatory 14-day quarantine before being able to work at area farms. Hotels have been used previously to isolate and shelter residents, frontline workers, returning travellers and more. 

As MPP for Brantford-Brant, I was deeply troubled to learn about the lack of information shared from the BCHU and HNHU with the Emergency Operations Centre, the Mayor of Brantford and myself. No consultations were offered outside of the respective Health Units. 

Questions remain and we are working with the Ministry of Health, Ministry of Agriculture Food and Rural Affairs as well as the Ministry of Labour to address this situation.

Thank you,

Will Bouma
MPP Brantford-Brant