In order to address a shortage of labour in the Canadian agricultural sector, the government has launched the Agri-Food Immigration Pilot. Traditionally, immigration related to agriculture has been seasonal, but this pilot will seek to enhance the benefits of economic immigration through a new pathway to permanent residence until May 2023. The aim of the Agri-Food Immigration Pilot is to attract non- seasonal workers, particularly in meat processing and mushroom production, who can re-establish themselves economically while supporting the labour needs of the Canadian agri-food sector.
Available opportunities
The pilot focuses on attracting eligible retail butchers, industrial butchers, food processing labourers, harvesting labourers, general farm workers, and farm supervisors and specialized livestock workers.
The occupations and industries eligible under the pilot include:
Meat processing
retail butcher
industrial butcher
Food processing
labourer
harvesting labourer for year-round mushroom production and greenhouse crop production
farm supervisors
general farm worker for year-round mushroom production, greenhouse crop production or livestock raising
specialized livestock worker for meat processing, year-round mushroom production, greenhouse crop production or livestock raising
Eligibility requirements
In order to meet the eligibility requirements of the Agri- Food Immigration Pilot, each candidate must have:
12 months of full-time, non-seasonal Canadian work experience in the Temporary Foreign Worker Program, in an eligible occupation in processing meat products, raising livestock, or growing mushrooms or greenhouse crops
a Canadian Language Benchmark level 4 in English or French
an education at high school level or greater (Canadian equivalency)
an indeterminate job offer for full-time, non-seasonal work in Canada, outside of Quebec, at or above the prevailing wage
Eligible meat processor employers, including employers who are using the Agri-Food Immigration Pilot or other existing pathways to permanent residence for temporary foreign workers in the same occupations and industries will get a 2-year Labour Market Impact Assessment.
To find out if this is a viable pathway for you or a family member, schedule a consultation and we will be happy to advise you.