Media Contacts

Dave Townsend

Government Communications and Public Engagement
Ministry of Agriculture
250 356-7098
250 889-5945 (mobile)

Backgrounders

Funding for Okanagan and Creston Valley work camp accommodations

Of the $652,000:

  • $457,000 is being used to upgrade the work camp in Loose Bay near Oliver.
    • The site is on Crown land and operates with a capacity of 350 people from May to October.
    • The funding will support washroom, shower and cooking facility upgrades, isolation areas, improvements to fencing and roadways, and having both a dedicated COVID-19 co-ordinator and a property manager on site.
    • Partners include the Regional District of the Okanagan Similkameen and the B.C. Fruit Growers Association.
  • $120,000 to support dedicated work camp rentals in Summerland, as well as an isolation area and wash trailer, as well as septic, electrical and garbage services.
    • The camp will also have an on-site co-ordinator to plan, set up and implement COVID-19 protocols. Partners include the District of Summerland and the B.C. Fruit Growers Association.
  • $25,000 to support the Regional District of Central Kootenay and the B.C. Fruit Growers Association to conduct outreach and safety training for farm owners in the Creston Valley to help them meet COVID-19 regulations for on-farm worker camping.
  • $50,000 to help farmers providing on-site camping to conduct temporary or permanent upgrades, such as wash stations, showers and toilets, to have COVID-19 safe worker accommodation on their properties.
    • Farm owners must contribute 30% of the project’s cost and are eligible for a maximum of $2,000 per farm.