In an effort to address labour shortages and facilitate the transition of experienced workers in the agricultural and food industries to permanent residence in Canada, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) has announced significant updates to the Agri-Food Immigration pilot program. These changes include an extension of the program until May 14, 2025, as well as the removal of annual occupational caps for program participants.
Program Extension and Benefits
Agri-Food Immigration Pilot, initially launched in 2020, has proven to be instrumental in reducing labour shortages in key sectors such as meat processing, mushroom and greenhouse production, and livestock-raising industries. Immigration Minister Sean Fraser recently confirmed that the program will be extended for an additional two years. This extension aims to provide further opportunities for skilled workers in these industries to obtain permanent residency in Canada.
One of the noteworthy changes announced by IRCC is the lifting of the annual occupational caps for the Agri-Food Pilot Program. This alteration is expected to broaden the pool of eligible candidates and encourage more applications. By removing these limitations, the IRCC aims to ensure that the program remains accessible to a larger number of individuals who possess the necessary skills and qualifications for eligible occupations.
More so, the IRCC is planning to introduce additional changes to the pilot program by the end of the year. These changes will be implemented in stages to enhance the program’s effectiveness. Some of the modifications that will be made include:
Increased access to open work permits for family members of pilot program participants, irrespective of their job skill level.
Unions will have the authority to vouch for a candidate’s work experience as an alternative to employer reference letters.
Candidates residing in Canada will have the option to meet the job offer requirement or the education requirement, providing more flexibility.
Work experience obtained under an open work permit for vulnerable workers will be accepted, granting more workers an opportunity to qualify.
However, the Agri-Food Immigration Pilot has gained significance in light of the challenges faced by the agriculture, hunting, fishing, and forestry sectors due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Recent job vacancy data from February 2023 revealed that over 14,000 jobs remained unfilled in these industries. The extension and modifications to the pilot program aimed to address these labour shortages and ensure the sustainability of these vital sectors.
The program targets specific occupations within the agricultural and food industries, including meat product manufacturing, retail butchers, farm supervisors, specialized livestock workers, food processing laborers, greenhouse and floriculture production, and animal production. Candidates must fulfill certain requirements, such as having 12 months of full-time, non-seasonal Canadian work experience, achieving a Canadian Language Benchmark level 4, possessing an education level equivalent to high school or greater, and obtaining an indeterminate job offer for full-time, non-seasonal work in Canada at or above the prevailing wage.
In the meat processing sector, employers who wish to utilize the Agri-Food Pilot Program will need to obtain a two-year Labour Market Impact Assessment. This assessment must outline the employer’s plan to support the temporary foreign worker in their journey toward permanent residency. Unionized meat processors will require a letter of support from their union, while non-unionized processors will need to meet additional requirements to ensure the protection of the labour market and migrant workers.
In the end, the extension of the Agri-Food Immigration Pilot and the removal of annual occupational caps reflect the Canadian government’s commitment to supporting the agricultural and food industries while addressing labour shortages. These changes aim to provide more opportunities for skilled workers to obtain permanent residency in Canada, ensuring the long-term growth and sustainability of these vital sectors.
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