色狐入口

The Canadian government announced plans for a new three-year immigration pilot designed to support the growth of Canada鈥檚 agri-food sector.

In its Budget 2019, released March 19, the Government of Canada stated:

鈥淭o help the agri-food sector meet Canada鈥檚 ambitious export targets and attract and retain needed labour, the federal government will launch a three-year immigration pilot to bring in full time, non-seasonal agricultural workers that will include a pathway to permanent residency.鈥�

The Canadian Meat Council (CMC) supports the federal government鈥檚 plans. In an update, the CMC says it has been requesting 2,750 immigration spots to fill meat packers, meat processors and equipment supplier positions that have not been filled by Canadians.

According to Industry Canada鈥檚 Agri-Food Economic Strategy Table report published in September 2018, there is an alarming need to address the immediate labour shortages facing the agriculture sector and to utilize Canada鈥檚 permanent and programs to attract workers across various skill levels.

Canada鈥檚 Agriculture and Agri-food system contributes $111 billion to the economy annually and $304 million per day.

The federal government鈥檚 immigration division, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC), has yet to announce details on the pilot.

Further details will be published on CICNews as they become available.

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