Temporary Foreign Worker Housing Inspections
Visit our COVID-19 Update page for the latest information from Durham Region Health Department.
Temporary foreign workers (TFWs) also known as migrant farm workers, are considered essential workers that come to Ontario to work in the seasonal agricultural sector. Housing accommodations for TFWs must be inspected by Durham Region Health Department prior to worker arrival.
Temporary foreign worker employers
Please contact Durham Region Health Department a minimum of four weeks prior to worker arrival to arrange an inspection of the seasonal housing accommodations.
Please note that all TFW housing accommodations must comply with all local building, fire and zoning requirements. It is strongly recommended that those building new bunkhouses, renovating existing bunkhouses, and/or renovating other buildings (e.g. residential homes) for the purpose of accommodating temporary foreign workers consult with their local building department and fire department well in advance to ensure permits can be obtained and requirements met before the final inspection for worker approval is conducted.
Section 22 order related to employers of temporary foreign workers
Read the class order issued on November 17 and learn how this order impacts you.
Employer resources
Facts about... Migrant farm worker operations during COVID-19
| Housing accommodation |
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| Employer COVID-19 vaccination policy and proof of vaccination (English/Spanish/Thai) |
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Vaccination policy guidance Employers can include the recently published guidance from the Workplace Safety and Prevention Services (WSPS) on what to include in your workplace vaccine policy to establish your own vaccine policy. Proof of COVID-19 vaccination bulletin |
| Workplace |
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| Cleaning and disinfection logs |
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Cleaning and disinfecting log sheet for migrant worker accommodations |
| English COVID-19 posters |
| Spanish COVID-19 posters |
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For temporary foreign workers
Durham Region Migrant Agricultural Worker Network
A group of volunteers, faith leaders, community residents, and service providers with a common interest in being good neighbours to agricultural workers in various agricultural communities in Durham Region. We host welcome events, health fairs, and social activities specifically for agricultural workers from participating Spanish-speaking and Caribbean countries throughout the year.
Visit the Durham Region Migrant Agricultural Worker Network website
| COVID-19 vaccine information |
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What you need to know about COVID-19 vaccines Vaccine myths and facts Vaccine aftercare |
| Mental health and psychosocial supports |
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Stress relief, health care and community supports for Durham Region international agricultural workers |
Report abuse or mistreatment
You can confidentially report being abused or mistreated using this Online Fraud Reporting Tool.
Report a COVID-19 violation
If your employer is:
- asking you to work during your initial 14-day quarantine period or any time during isolation
- not paying you during your initial quarantine period
- not providing cleaning supplies during your initial quarantine period (applicable only if the employer is providing housing)
- not providing food during your quarantine period
- housing workers in quarantine with workers who are not in quarantine
- not isolating and providing a worker who has signs/symptoms with a private bedroom and bathroom (applicable only if the employer is providing you with housing)
- preventing workers from following the instructions of public health officials
You can report issues such as those listed above by calling:
- Durham Region Health Department at 1-888-841-2729 to speak to a public health inspector.
- Calling the Government of Canada Confidential Tip Line at 1-866-602-9448.
Report a housing concern or complaint
All temporary foreign worker housing is inspected by Durham Region Health Department prior to worker arrival. If you have any questions or concerns about housing conditions, call us at 1-800-841-2729 or 905-668-2020 to speak to a public health inspector.
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