The Agri-Food Pilot offers a pathway to permanent residence for agricultural workers in Canada. In recent years, Canadian agriculture and agri-food industries have struggled to fill labor shortages.
Workers have had to rely on short-term, seasonal work permits to secure jobs. The Agri-food pilot aims to attract and retain workers by allowing them and their families to work and live in Canada for as long as they desire.
Initially, a maximum of 2,750 principal applicants and their families would be accepted annually. However, this cap was removed in 2023 when the program was extended to 2025.
Agricultural employers participating in the pilot program will be eligible for a two-year Labor Market Impact Assessment (LMIA). We will explain the eligibility criteria for the Canada agri-food pilot program, how to apply, and its benefits.
Eligibility for Canada Agri-Food Pilot Program
To be eligible for Canada’s Agri-Food Pilot program, foreign workers need to meet the following requirements:
- Have qualifying work experience.
- Have a qualifying job offer.
- Meet or surpass the minimum language requirements.
- Satisfy the educational requirements.
- Shoe evidence of sufficient funds to settle in the community.
- Have maintained valid temporary residence status.
Note: As of February 12, 2024, applicants who reside in Canada at the time of application must meet the job offer or the educational requirements.
As for applicants living outside Canada at the time of their application, they must meet both criteria. Let’s go through the eligibility requirements one at a time:
1. Qualifying Work Experience
You must have at least one year of Canadian work experience (at least 1,560 hours in the last three years). This Canadian work experience must:
- Be non-seasonal
- Be in an eligible occupation within an eligible industry.
- Through the Temporary Foreign Worker Program (it must have been supported by an LMIA with a minimum 12-month duration).
- Be through an Open Work Permit for applicants considered vulnerable workers.
On May 8, 2023, Canada announced that it would accept work experience gained under an open work permit for vulnerable workers, allowing more workers to apply.
Eligible Industries for the Agri-Food Pilot Program include:
- Meat product manufacturing.
- Greenhouse, nursery, and floriculture production, including mushroom production.
- Animal production, excluding aquaculture.
Eligible Jobs for the Agri-Food Pilot Program include:
Meat product manufacturing
- Butchers – retail and wholesale
- Meat cutters and fishmongers – retail and wholesale
- Industrial butchers and meat cutters, poultry preparers, and related workers
- Agricultural service contractors and farm supervisors
- Specialized livestock workers and farm machinery operators
- Livestock laborers
- Laborers in food and beverage processing
Greenhouse, nursery, and floriculture production, including mushroom production
- Agricultural service contractors and farm supervisors
- Specialized livestock workers and farm machinery operators
- Livestock labourers
- Harvesting labourers
Animal production, excluding aquaculture
- Agricultural service contractors and farm supervisors
- Specialized livestock workers and farm machinery operators
- Livestock labourers
- Harvesting labourers
2. Qualifying Job Offer
You must have a genuine job offer from a Canadian employer. This job offer must:
- Be in an eligible occupation in an eligible industry.
- Be a full-time, non-seasonal, and permanent job.
- The applicable collective contract for unionized positions must determine the salary.
- For non-unionized positions, the salary must meet or surpass the Job Bank’s general pay for your job offer’s occupation in the province of employment (or at the national level if no provincial rate is available).
- Be located in Canada but outside the province of Quebec.
3. Minimum Language Requirements
You must score a minimum of Canadian Language Benchmark (CLB) of Level 4 on an approved language test in either English or French.
4. Minimum Education Requirements
You must complete a minimum level of education equivalent to a Canadian high school diploma (or higher). Meanwhile, education completed outside Canada must be supported by a valid Educational Credentials Assessment (ECA).
5. Settlement Funds Requirement
Upon settling in Canada, you must show evidence that you have enough funds to support yourself and your family. Individuals already working in Canada with a valid work permit do not need to provide proof of funds.
How to Apply for the Canada Agri-Food Pilot Program
If you meet the pilot program requirements listed above, you can submit your application for permanent resident status directly to IRCC. You must compile a detailed application using the application guide and forms available on the official Agri-Food Pilot webpage to apply.
You must also provide documentary evidence that you meet all program requirements. Once you have completed your application, you must apply for a hard copy by mail to the address listed on the webpage mentioned above.
How Does the Agri-Food Pilot Program Work?
Employers in the agri-food sector participating in the pilot qualify for a two-year Labor Market Impact Assessment.
Employment and Social Development Canada is introducing changes to benefit meat processor employers and complement the pilot program.
However, they must be supporting temporary foreign workers in transitioning to permanent residence:
- Employers who qualify as meat processors will receive a two-year Labor Market Impact Assessment. Employers who use the Agri-Food Pilot or other currently available routes to permanent residence for temporary foreign workers in the same industries and vocations that qualify for the pilot are also included.
- Meat processors must outline plans for assisting temporary foreign workers in seeking permanent residency. Moreover, unionized meat processors will need a letter of support from their union.
- To safeguard the labor market and migratory workers, meat processors who are not members of unions will need to fulfill extra standards. A tri-partite working group will be constituted to develop these needs.
- Adjustments will also be made to how the limit (“cap”) on low-wage temporary foreign workers is calculated, taking into account efforts made by employers to help workers obtain permanent residence.
- Employers with a recent history of recruiting workers who have transitioned to permanent residence could be eligible to be excluded from the limit calculation, several workers roughly equal to the number likely to achieve permanent residence in the near term.
Why did Canada Create the Agri-Food Pilot Program?
With permanent resident status, foreign workers would access more social programs they can help pay for through taxation, such as employment insurance and the Canadian Pension Plan.
With the agri-food pilot program, more workers can plan long-term settlements in Canada rather than a temporary stint with little hope of settling permanently.
When the agri-food pilot was first proposed in 2019, it was welcomed by bodies such as the Canadian Federation of Agriculture (CFA). It was stated that if you’re a farmer and need more secure labor, you are less likely to invest in your industry and expand your business.
Labor is a limiting factor for many agriculture industries in Canada. As such, more than 26,000 jobs were left unfilled, resulting in a loss of about 1.5 billion dollars in 2014.
The pilot program collaborates with Agriculture and Agri-food Canada and Employment and Social Development Canada (ESDC).
Benefits Of Agri-Food Pilot Program
Support Agricultural Innovation
Agri-food pilot programs have the potential to stimulate innovation in agricultural technologies, methods, and products. This innovation can boost Canadian farmers’ competitiveness, sustainability, and production.
Economic Development
Canada can invest in the agri-food industry to boost economic growth. The program could create more jobs, especially in rural areas where agriculture is the primary industry.
Moreover, higher agricultural output can boost farmers’ earnings and advance the country’s economy.
Food Safety
By encouraging a robust and resilient agri-food industry, the Agri-food Pilot program helps improve Canada’s food security.
By supporting provincial food production and distribution networks, the program can lessen dependence on imported food and reduce the danger of supply chain disruptions occurring globally.
Environmental Sustainability
Many agri-food pilot projects concentrate on environmentally friendly, sustainable farming methods.
The programs can help safeguard Canada’s natural resources and lower greenhouse gas emissions by supporting techniques such as precision agriculture, agroforestry, organic farming, and soil conservation.
Access to Healthy Food
The availability of wholesome food for Canadians can be improved through an agri-food pilot program.
The program aims to enhance public health and well-being by funding local food initiatives, including farmers’ markets, urban agriculture projects, and community-supported agriculture (CSA).
These activities can increase access to fresh, locally-grown produce.
Export Opportunities
By implementing a pilot program, Canada can bolster its agri-food sector and improve its standing as a dependable source of superior agricultural products.
In addition, increasing Canada’s visibility in global markets and creating new export prospects can promote trade and economic expansion.
Research and Development
Numerous Agri-Food pilot projects entail collaborations with academic institutions, businesses, and research centers.
The program can establish Canada as a leader in agricultural research and innovation by supporting R&D projects that spur innovation in crop breeding, food processing technology, and agricultural sustainability.
Community Expansion
Canada’s rural areas can benefit from investments in the agri-food sector by supporting local farmers and food producers. The initiative can also enhance community resilience, protect cultural heritage, and foster thriving rural economies.
Conclusion
Like other pilot programs, the Canadian Agri-Food Pilot program aims to fill labor shortages and provide an immigration route to permanent residence for agricultural workers. All the best!