QUESTION PERIOD — Agriculture and Agri-Food
Labour Shortage
March 24, 2026
Senator Moreau, Canada’s agriculture and agri-food sector depends on a strong and skilled workforce to remain competitive. However, this industry is challenged by labour shortages that are affecting the success of the sector.
Labour shortages in the agriculture sector have severe consequences that extend beyond this industry. The Canadian Agriculture Human Resource Council found that in 2022 more than 28,000 agricultural jobs went unfilled. These unfilled vacancies resulted in an estimated $3.5 billion in lost sales. Thankfully, Minister Hajdu recently announced measures to permit rural employers to retain their temporary foreign workers and increase the allowable share of low-wage temporary foreign workers. However, other agriculture sectors, like the food processing sector, will not see changes.
Senator Moreau, how will your government ensure that our entire agriculture and agri-food industry is protected and that future changes to the Temporary Foreign Worker Program will take the needs of this important industry into consideration?
Thank you, Senator Black. Our agriculture and agri‑food sector is critical to Canada’s economy. The government recognizes the very real labour shortages facing producers and processors across the country. That is why the government has taken targeted, time-limited measures to support rural employers, including increasing flexibility under the Temporary Foreign Worker Program, where shortages are most acute.
With the new immigration plan, the government will transition 33,000 skilled workers in rural communities and high-need sectors to permanent residency. At the same time, the government is working closely with the provinces and territories who understand what the labour market needs best to ensure that the key sectors — such as the agriculture and agri-food sector — have access to the workers they need to remain competitive.
Thank you.
Senator Moreau, Canada’s unemployment rate rose to 6.8% in December 2025, with youth unemployment rising to 13.3%. Our rural and agricultural regions are facing workplace challenges and labour shortages. I’m concerned that Canadians have a misunderstanding about what working on a farm or in the ag sector really means.
With the reduction in the number of temporary foreign workers, what is your government doing to incentivize Canadians to explore jobs in agriculture, agri-food and rural areas?
Yes, the government approach is balanced, supporting employers facing persistent shortages while ensuring that Canadians remain first in line for available jobs and that immigration levels are sustainable.
The government is working with partners to promote careers in agriculture and agri-food, support skills development and strengthen workforce participation in rural communities.
