Ottawa is not renewing or replacing an immigration program that has been praised by the agri-food industry for securing a stable and permanent workforce for employers while helping to protect vulnerable workers. The Agri-Food Pilot, launched in 2020, offered a permanent residence pathway for full-time, year-round temporary foreign workers in the meat processing, mushroom and greenhouse production, and livestock-raising industries to fill ongoing labor needs.
During the pandemic, work permits for agriculture and agri-food workers were prioritized to secure the food supply chain. However, Janet Krayden, workforce specialist at the Canadian Mushroom Growers' Association, said that focus has now diminished.
The mushroom industry hires 2,500 foreign workers and contributes close to $1 billion a year to Canada's economy. Krayden, whose association represents the sector, mentioned that she used to receive about two cases a month from members experiencing work permit issues, but since last fall, she's been fielding three or more calls a week.
Additionally, immigration consultant Adam Jones noted that the federal government raised the cap on foreign workers for individual employers in the food production industry during COVID to 30 percent of their workforce, but that has since been reduced to 20 percent. Although immigration officials said there are other general permanent residence programs available for workers, critics said these other options all have more stringent language and education requirements that the most needed agri-food workers can't meet.
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