Canada Announces Extension to Agri-Food Pilot, Facilitating Access To Permanent Residence For Workers and Their Families

that our food security, economy and living standards for Canadians across the country will continue to improve and grow.”

- The Honourable Sean Fraser, Minister of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship

“Today’s announcement allows us to keep building on the work we have done to ensure our agriculture and agri-food sector can count on the help of skilled workers. The Agri-Food Pilot is a concrete action that expands immigration pathways for experienced workers, and addresses ongoing agricultural labour challenges. It also supports Canada’s commitment in helping our sector reach its full potential.”

- Francis Drouin, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food and Member of Parliament for Glengarry–Prescott–Russell

"One of the most significant challenges facing the agriculture sector in Canada is labour and skills shortages. The Canadian Federation of Agriculture is happy to see the Agri-Food Pilot extended to 2025. We need programs that support the long-term needs of the agri-food sector. We are pleased to see some greater flexibility in the program and look forward to working with the government to ensure farm workers have clear and accessible pathways to permanent residence."

“The meat processing sector requires skilled, year-round labour to put Canadian meat products on grocery store shelves. Our members invest in their workforce, and we are therefore very pleased with the measures announced today, which will help us

retain these valued individuals.”

-

Christopher White, President and CEO, Canadian Meat Council

Quick facts

• The agriculture and agri-food industry is an important contributor to Canada’s economic growth and vitality. In 2021, Canada exported nearly $82.2 billion in agriculture and food products, including raw agricultural materials, fish and seafood, and processed foods.

• Canada is the fifth-largest exporter of agri-food and seafood in the world, exporting to over 200 countries in 2021. In the same year, the agri-food system provided one in nine jobs in Canada and employed 2.1 million people.

• This five-year pilot tests an industry-specific approach by working with agri-food employers and providing a pathway to permanent residence for temporary foreign workers who have worked in the agri-food sector in Canada.

• A total of 2,750 principal applicants can be processed under the pilot annually.

• The occupations and industries eligible under the pilot include: o meat product manufacturing

▪ retail butchers

▪ industrial butchers

▪ farm supervisors and specialized livestock workers

▪ food processing labourers o greenhouse, nursery and floriculture production, including mushroom production

▪ farm supervisors and specialized livestock workers

▪ general farm workers

▪ harvesting labourers o animal production, excluding aquaculture

▪ farm supervisors and specialized livestock workers

▪ general farm workers

Associated links

• Agri-Food Pilot