Canada Will Need 30,000 Immigrants To Fill Retiring Farmers
Canada’s agricultural sector is facing a significant challenge with an aging workforce and a shrinking labor pool. Many farmers are reaching retirement age, and there are not enough young people to replace them.
To address this issue, Canada will need to rely on immigration to fill the gap left by retiring farmers. According to some estimates, Canada will need to bring in at least 30,000 immigrants over the next few years to work in agriculture and related industries.
Immigration has been a critical driver of Canada’s population growth in recent years, and the government has been actively working to attract more skilled workers to the country. The Canadian government has several programs in place to facilitate the immigration of skilled workers, including the Federal Skilled Worker Program, the Canadian Experience Class, and the Provincial Nominee Program.
To address the specific needs of the agricultural sector, the Canadian government has also launched the Agri-Food Immigration Pilot program, which aims to bring in up to 2,750 workers to fill labor shortages in the agri-food sector.
The Agri-Food Immigration Pilot program is a Canadian immigration program that was launched in 2020 to help address the labour shortages in the agri-food sector. The program aims to attract and retain skilled foreign workers to fill job vacancies in the industry.
Here are some key points about the Agri-Food Immigration Pilot program:
- Eligibility: The program is open to foreign workers with at least one year of full-time non-seasonal work experience in the agri-food sector in Canada, and who meet the language and education requirements.
- Participating industries: The program is open to workers in the meat processing, mushroom production, greenhouse crop production, and livestock-raising industries.
- Employer requirements: To participate in the program, employers must be registered and in good standing with the Canada Revenue Agency, have a history of actively conducting business in Canada, and have a genuine need for the foreign worker.
- Job offers: Foreign workers must have a job offer from a participating employer in Canada, with a minimum duration of one year and a wage that meets industry standards.
- Language requirements: Applicants must meet the minimum language requirements for their job, as determined by the Canadian Language Benchmark (CLB) or Niveaux de compétence linguistique canadiens (NCLC).
Application process: The application process involves several steps, including applying for a job offer, applying for a work permit, and undergoing medical and security checks.
Spouses and dependents: Spouses and dependents of foreign workers may also be eligible to come to Canada under the program, and may apply for open work permits and study permits.
The Agri-Food Immigration Pilot program is a five-year pilot program, with a maximum of 2,750 principal applicants accepted each year. The program is part of the Canadian government’s efforts to support the growth of the agri-food sector, which is a major contributor to the Canadian economy.
