Newsletter OCTOBER 2023
INSIDE THIS ISSUE:
JOIN THE CONVERSATION @ONTTENDERFRUIT
Recognized Employer Pilot Launched
Recognized Employer Pilot Launched
1
OFVGA Updates
2
WSPS Courses
2
Ontario Agri-food Research Initiative
3
THANK YOU TO OUR SPONSORS!
Article supplied by AAFC The Recognized Employer Pilot (REP) under the Temporary Foreign Worker (TFW) Program has now launched for employers in primary agriculture. REP is a three-year pilot program designed to be more responsive to established labour market shortages and reduce administrative burden for repeat TFW Program employers who meet the highest standards for wages, working and living conditions and worker protection. To manage application intake volumes and ensure that sufficient resources are available to meet expected employer demands, REP is being rolled out in a phased approach: 1. September 12, 2023: intake for agricultural employers, to ensure alignment with peak agricultural application timing for the following season. 2. January 1, 2024: intake for all the other REP designated occupations. 3. September 16, 2024: applications to become a recognized employer will be closed. 4. Recognized employers will continue to have access to simplified applications until the end of the pilot on December 31, 2026. Employers who regularly access the TFW Program and have no previous history of non-compliance are encouraged to apply to the pilot. Employment and Social Development Canada (ESDC) will complete an assessment of the pilot to test administrative efficiencies and inform future programming. You are encouraged to share this communication throughout your respective networks. If you have questions on the Temporary Foreign Workers Program, including the REP, please visit Canada.ca or contact the Employer Contact Centre. This link provides a copy of a presentation for additional information: The Recognized Employer Pilot (REP) for Temporary Foreign Workers
OCTOBER 2023 ISSUE
OFVGA Updates Windsor Star Article Following The OFVGA news release supporting the findings of positive temporary foreign worker compliance statistics, the Windsor Star published an article using several quotes and statistics from the news release. We continue to welcome conversations with all media and this was a step in a positive direction: https://windsorstar.com/news/localnews/federal-inspections-show-most-ontario-employersfollow-rules-protecting-migrant-workers National Post Article More than a Migrant Worker’s (MTAMW) latest sponsored content placement went live in the National Post. The article focuses on the keenness of many migrant farm workers to return to their homes following the end of Ontario’s harvest season:https://nationalpost.com/sponsored/businesssponsored/migrant-farm-workers-keen-to-return-home-asgrowing-season-ends Response to UN Rapporteur Comments Senior Policy Advisor, Stefan Larrass, and Labour Section Chair, Bill George, were both interviewed by multiple publications to share concerns around recent comments made by a United Nations Rapporteur: • https://www.hrreporter.com/news/hr-news/ottawapenalizes-non-compliant-employers-under-tfwprogram/380087 • https://farmersforum.com/farmer-punches-back-atun-for-saying-foreign-workers-in-canada-vulnerable-toslavery/ • https://www.producer.com/news/temporary-foreignworkers-at-risk-for-slavery-in-canada-un-rep/ News Releases Supporting the findings of positive temporary foreign worker compliance statistics: https://www.ofvga.org/newsreleases/fruit-and-vegetable-growers-welcome-release-ofpositive-temporary-foreign-worker-employer-compliancestatistics Responding to comments made by a United Nations Rapporteur:https://www.ofvga.org /news-releases/ fruit-and-vegetable-growers-respond-to-un-rapporteurcomments-on-temporary-foreign-worker-programs Bus Tours • The OFVGA hosted over 40 government and industry staff on a farm tour in September. The tour made stops at Beverly Greenhouses, Benn-B Farms, and George II Vineyards. It was a great opportunity to interact
Page
•
2
with government policy staff, while discussing topics specifically related to the horticulture sector. MTAMW sponsored a bus tour for registered dietitians in the GTA. This included the opportunity to discuss the initiative and answer any questions people has about MTAMW and the TFW programs.
Ongoing Outreach OFVGA staff continue to present details of the MTAMW initiative to government and industry, including recent meetings with Senator Rob Black and Minister Todd Smith.
WSPS Courses 1. Violence in the Workplace: Establish a Prevention Program eCourse Self-Paced | 1.5 hours | Only $64 + HST This course introduces managers, supervisors and employees to the key components of an effective workplace violence prevention program, providing them with knowledge and tools to take action to eliminate or minimize the potential for workplace violence. Enroll Now 2. Workplace Mental Health: Raising Awareness eCourse Self-Paced | 1 hour | $15 + HST This one hour awareness e course has been designed to help you broaden your understanding of workplace mental health; help you address your own mental health needs and provide you with strategies and tools to address these needs. Enroll Now 3. Bullying in the Workplace eCourse Self-Paced | 1 hour | $49 + HST Understand the signs and effects of bullying, and take action to prevent it. Enroll Now 4. Stress In the Workplace eCourse Self-Paced | 1 hour | $49 + HST This course introduces participants to the complex issue of stress in the workplace. Enroll Now More courses at https://shop.wsps.ca/
Page
3
Ontario Agri-food Research Initiative The Ontario Agri-Food Research Initiative (OAFRI) will be accepting proposals starting November 2, 2023 for: • applied research • pilot and demonstration • commercialization Applied research projects use the process of scientific investigation (including lab work and experiments) to find solutions to existing problems. In the TRL, these projects are in the research and development stage. They focus on generating new knowledge and experimental proof-ofconcept in a laboratory or simulated environment (early stage TRL up to level 5). Pilot and demonstration projects are undertaken after lab work or theoretical applied research on proof-of-concept has been completed. The goal of the pilot and demonstration stream is to fund projects that focus on the development of a model or prototype of new technology (complete TRL
OCTOBER 2023 ISSUE
6). The pilot project is the step between applied research and full-scale commercial application. The latter allows researchers to assess if their findings are generalizable to the real world. These projects aim to complete TRL 6 (prototype development). Commercialization stream funding is focused on scaling innovative technologies, products and services to the real world or commercial environment. It ensures technologies and best practices are suitable for commercial use and ready to be widely used. This stream will fund activities which may include: • market validation - conducting market research to determine the size and quality of market opportunity for a new and promising technology, product or service • product development - creating prototypes, performing field trials, removing any barriers to a market launch or private sector adoption and optimizing a minimum viable product that best meets the needs of customers (will advance technologies through TRL 7-9) Additional details will be made available November 2nd. https://www.ontario.ca/page/ontario-agri-food-researchinitiative#section-3
Paid Advertisement