The federal government has extended a three-year trial period another two years to May, 2025, providing some temporary foreign workers with a way to become permanent residents.
The program applies to temporary foreign workers employed at greenhouses, mushroom farms, livestock farms, meat-packing plants or retail butcher shops.
“We believe there’s value in delivering workers to businesses and (rural communities),” Fraser said during a news event, held at a meat-packing plant in L’Original, Ont.
“We know we’re not going to be able to meet the needs… with the domestic labour force.”
Immigration Minister Sean Fraser announced other changes, including expanding the open work permit to family members of all participants in the pilot program.
This will be It is an excellent “recruitment tool” for Canada the country’s agri-food sector, so newcomers can be re-united with their families, Fraser said.
The Canadian Meat Council and Mushrooms Canada support the extension and changes to the program.
“Currently, we have over 150 of our temporary foreign workers who have applied to the Agri-Food pilot, and we anticipate a lot more will now be eligible,” said Ryan Koeslag, executive director of Mushrooms Canada.
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