Trinidad and Tobago farm workers stranded in Canada gets food for Christmas

Many Trinidad and Tobago farmworkers who are stranded in Canada would not be able to come home for Christmas, however, they have been facilitated with regional food items to give the taste of "home-like Christmas".

Dion Taylor likely is among many who could not be back in Trinidad and Tobago in time for Christmas, but he could almost have tasty homemade food.

"Everything was just great," said the seasonal worker, after examining a donated roti and a sip of the old Caribbean Christmas drink sorrel. "It feels just as at home."

The federal government expects roughly 400 people from the Caribbean country are still stuck on Canadian farms after working through the pandemic as essential workers. Their border has been shut since March because of COVID-19 and returning artists are only being allowed to handle back a few at a time.

Nearly a quarter of the stranded men and women are at Schuyler farms near Simcoe, Ont.

Ninety-two artists are still there, according to help Brett Schuyler. Only two had been ready to fly back as of Tuesday morning. Two others were also waiting at the airport to see if they could get their test events withing the 72 hours required to be allowed home.

Workers at the farm have almost spent the past week or so finishing their bunkhouses with lights and trying to make the best of the tough job.

"This year we've been making lemonade for the entire year because they just keep throwing lemons at us," said Schuyler.

"What's been a real benefit is getting about celebrating Christmas with Trinidadians because they do a great job at it."

Workers can apply for open permits The Canadian government declared last week that it will allow farmworkers to apply for open work licenses so they can obtain health care and employment support while they wait to go home.

Federal and provincial officials are operating with authorities from Trinidad and Tobago.

"We will proceed to do all that we can to raise these artists until they can get home," Alexander Cohen, press secretary for the office of Marco Mendicino, Minister of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship, wrote in an email.

Bedding, winter clothing and agreement during the colder months are among expenses that can also be reached under an emergency support fund, according to the Ministry of Agriculture.