For agricultural workers in Canada, the Agri-Food Pilot provides a route to permanent residency. Labor shortages have been a problem for Canada’s agri-food and agriculture sectors in recent years.
Workers have had to rely on temporary, seasonal work permits to obtain employment. By enabling workers and their families to live and work in Canada for as long as they choose, the Agri-food experiment seeks to attract and retain people.
At first, the annual cap for the number of major applicants and their families was 2,750. However, this cap was lifted in 2023 when the program was extended to 2025.
Agricultural companies participating in the trial 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.
What is the Eligibility for the 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:
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 laborers
- Harvesting laborers
Animal production, excluding aquaculture
- Agricultural service contractors and farm supervisors
- Specialized livestock workers and farm machinery operators
- Livestock laborers
- Harvesting laborers
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.
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.
Minimum Education Requirements
You must complete a minimum level of education equivalent to a Canadian high school diploma (or higher). Education completed outside Canada must be supported by a valid Educational Credentials Assessment (ECA).
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.
Why did Canada Create the Agri-Food Pilot Program?
With permanent resident status, foreign workers would have access to more social programs, such as employment insurance and the Canadian Pension Plan, which they can help pay for through taxation.
With the agri-food pilot program, more workers can plan long-term settlements in Canada rather than a temporary stint with little hope of permanent settlement.
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.
- 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.
Wrapping Up
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!