Government of Canada opens national call-out for research on primary agriculture

The Temporary Foreign Worker Program to review the Primary Agriculture Stream

GATINEAU, QC, Oct. 27, 2017 /CNW/ - The availability of labour is critical to the success of many industries in Canada, including agriculture and agri-food. The Temporary Foreign Worker (TFW) Program's Agriculture Stream supports Canada's economy by permitting employers to hire temporary foreign workers for positions in agriculture and agri-food when qualified Canadians and permanent residents are not available.

Employment and Social Development Canada, in collaboration with Agriculture and Agri-food Canada, today announced that the Government is looking for research on the primary agricultural sector to support a review of the TFW Program's Primary Agriculture Stream. Canadians with an interest in primary agriculture, which is work that is performed within the boundaries of a farm, nursery or greenhouse, are being asked to share available, objective and evidence-based research on the primary agricultural sector.

Submitted research can be on a number of issues related to primary agriculture and will inform future changes to the Program, including methods for determining wages and labour shortages. For instance, research on why certain populations such as women, youth and Indigenous people are underrepresented in the agriculture industry could help in the development of future recruitment and retention efforts.

Research can be submitted through the call-out on the Consulting with Canadians web page. The call-out will be open until November 24, 2017.

Quote

"Our government embraces science and research and we know that evidence is the key to making informed decisions. High-quality research and feedback from Canadians will play an integral role during the Primary Agriculture Review as we continue ensuring the TFW Program works for workers, for employers and for the Canadian economy."
–The Honourable Patty Hajdu, Minister of Employment, Workforce Development and Labour

Quick Facts

• On April 10, 2017, the Primary Agriculture Review was announced as part of the Government's path forward plan for the TFW Program.
  
  
• The Primary Agriculture Review will include three stages:
• a labour market study to assess the impact of potential changes to the Primary Agriculture Stream;
• a study on developing a national standard for employer-provided housing; and
• extensive stakeholder consultations on reforming the Primary Agriculture Stream, including the impacts of expanding the regulatory definition of primary agriculture.
  
  
• Under the Primary Agriculture Stream of the TFW Program, employers have four options to hire foreign workers:
• Seasonal Agricultural Workers Program
• Agricultural Stream
• High-wage Stream
• Low-wage Stream
  
  
• Primary Agriculture represents more than 60 percent of the positions approved under the TFW Program in 2016.

Associated Links

• Primary Agriculture Review: National call-out for research
• Path forward plan for the TFW Program
• Temporary Foreign Worker Program

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SOURCE Employment and Social Development Canada