Temporary Agricultural Workers in Canada
Recently Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) updated policies for temporary agricultural workers under the Temporary Foreign Worker Program (TFWP). The update emphasizes streamlining processes for employers hiring through the Seasonal Agricultural Worker Program (SAWP) and Agricultural Stream. Employers must secure a positive Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA) to hire foreign workers when Canadians or permanent residents are unavailable. The SAWP allows workers from Mexico and select Caribbean countries to work up to 8 months annually, while the Agricultural Stream supports longer durations—up to 2 years for low-wage roles and 3 years for high-wage positions.
A significant change, effective May 27, 2025, allows temporary foreign workers (TFWs) to start new jobs while work permit applications are pending, reducing employment gaps and enhancing worker stability. IRCC is also developing a new foreign worker stream for agriculture and fish processing to address labor shortages, with policy consultations planned for 2025-2026. These changes aim to balance labor market needs with worker rights, though concerns remain about processing delays and limited permanent residency pathways for low-skill workers.
#IRCC #TemporaryForeignWorkers #SAWP #AgriculturalStream #CanadaImmigration #LaborShortages #WorkerRights #TFWP
