The federal government is launching a new three-year pilot project aimed at boosting the number of year-round workers in the agri-food industry while giving temporary foreign workers the chance to become permanent residents.
Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food Marie-Claude Bibeau announced the program in Leamington Tuesday after touring Vine Fresh Acres Ltd. and Highline Mushrooms.
Over the past several years, companies in the agri-food sector have had ongoing difficulty finding and retaining new employees for year-round positions.
"The success of our farmers and food processors depends on their ability to recruit and retain the workforce they need," said Bibeau. "The pilot will help to ensure that employers in the agriculture and agri-food sector have the people they need to get the job done so they can drive our economy and feed the world."
Starting early next year, temporary foreign workers can apply. A maximum of 2,750 workers and their families will be accepted, representing a total of 16,500 possible new permanent residents over three years.
"Canadian agriculture, along with the mushroom industry, finally have their own access to Canadian immigration. In the past, Canada's agriculture and immigration policy were intertwined. That is how Canada was settled," said Ryan Koeslag, executive vice president of the Canadian Mushroom Growers Association. "For the last decade or more, however, mushroom growers and other farmers, have fount for immigration access for workers employed in year-round jobs. Agriculture needs immigration access, just like any other sector. We are proud to now say, agriculture is officially part of Canada's immigration plan."
