QUESTION PERIOD — Agriculture and Agri-Food
Human Resource Issues
February 26, 2024
My question is for the Government Representative.
Senator Gold, on February 15, 2024, the Canadian Agricultural Human Resource Council, or CAHRC, released a new report which outlines that Canada’s agricultural sector is facing a looming crisis with over 100,000 job vacancies projected by 2030. This shortage threatens local food security, economic growth and sustainability of our agricultural sector.
The report emphasizes a crucial role of temporary foreign workers in bridging the gap and also highlights the necessity for long-term solutions to attract and retain workers domestically.
Senator Gold, given the gravity of this situation, can you provide insight into the government’s plans to address the workforce challenges outlined by the CAHRC report and ensure the future viability of our agricultural sector?
Thank you for your question, senator. The government is committed to supporting Canadian employers and helping them to adapt to the current economic conditions. Canada has experienced continued low unemployment rates. While there are some signs that current labour shortages are easing, the rebound is inconsistent. Furthermore, certain sectors such as the agricultural sector are still facing challenges.
In April 2022, the government introduced the Temporary Foreign Worker Program Workforce Solutions Road Map to help employers fill job vacancies in the wake of labour shortages.
More recently, the government has announced changes to the road map to better reflect current labour market conditions and to reflect the economic outlook for the future. These extended measures will be in place until August 30 of this year and will be reviewed as labour market and economic conditions continue to evolve in the coming months.
Senator Gold, could you elaborate on any specific short-term measures being considered to address the imminent workforce challenges facing the agricultural industry particularly in light of the projected retirements and persistent labour shortages that I’ve mentioned earlier?
Thank you for that question. The government has announced what is called the Recognized Employer Pilot, or REP, which will help streamline processes for employers with the highest standards of worker protection. REP will be more responsive to labour market shortages and will reduce the administrative burden for repeat employers who demonstrate a history of program compliance while ensuring that temporary foreign workers are protected.
