Close X
Tuesday, November 26, 2024
ADVT 
National

Canada needs 30,000 new immigrants in agri sector: Report

Darpan News Desk IANS, 19 Apr, 2023 02:09 PM
  • Canada needs 30,000 new immigrants in agri sector: Report

Toronto, April 19 (IANS) Canada needs 30,000 permanent immigrants over the next decade to either start up their own farms, or take over existing ones, to address a looming labour crisis in the agriculture industry, says a new study.

According to a Royal Bank of Canada (RBC) research, 40 per cent of Canadian farm operators will retire by 2033, placing agriculture on the cusp of one of the biggest labour and leadership transitions in the country's history.

Over the same period, a shortfall of 24,000 general farm, nursery and greenhouse workers is expected to emerge, and in 10 years, 60 per cent of today's farm operators will be over the age of 65, that is, close to retirement.

Amidst all this, 66 per cent of producers do not have a succession plan in place, leaving the future of farmland in doubt, the study said.

Canada's agricultural sector is among the most diverse in the world though the degree of demand for foreign workers differs significantly by province and operation.

When it comes to more highly-skilled farm operators, Canada has always welcomed them from India, the Netherlands, China, the US and the UK.

However, in case of immigration of low-skilled labourers, better policies are needed because the Temporary Foreign Workers (TFW) program, which remains a critical source of low-skilled labour, is just a provisional solution to a chronic issue, the study said.

Many of these TFWs who develop skills essential to seeding and harvests, must return to their home countries for short periods, and if they are unable to return to Canada, the country's on-farm workforce is dramatically reduced.

RBC researchers said that a pathway to permanent residency for experienced TFWs will immediately address this type of shortage.

Canada had started an agriculture-specific immigration pilot programme in 2020 to give a path to permanent residency for non-seasonal workers with experience, which is set to end in May 2023, a CBC News report said.

As of February 2023, more than 1,500 people have been admitted through the program in Ottawa province.

A department spokesperson told CBC that they are assessing the pilot programme "and the possible extension beyond its scheduled expiry".

The spokesperson added that giving migrants permanent residence "is not the solution to labour shortages".

MORE National ARTICLES

Ottawa to fast-track weapon purchases: Anand

Ottawa to fast-track weapon purchases: Anand
Anand announced the plan Thursday at the Conference of Defence Associations Institute, one of Canada's largest defence conferences, saying the new weapons are needed now for Canadian troops in Latvia and other parts of Europe.    

Ottawa to fast-track weapon purchases: Anand

COVID-19 impact on mental health limited: study

COVID-19 impact on mental health limited: study
Senior author Dr. Brett Thombs, a researcher at McGill University, said that coverage of the pandemic has mostly focused on snapshots of people whose mental health has deteriorated and people have generalized that to the overall population.

COVID-19 impact on mental health limited: study

Mary Ellen Turpel-Lafond stripped of B.C. award

Mary Ellen Turpel-Lafond stripped of B.C. award
The association says board members believed Turpel-Lafond's representations about her professional accomplishments and Cree heritage when it granted the award recognizing substantial contributions to civil liberties in B.C. and Canada.

Mary Ellen Turpel-Lafond stripped of B.C. award

B.C. government orders probe of Prince George RCMP

B.C. government orders probe of Prince George RCMP
The independent commission that ensures the impartial examination of complaints about the RCMP already issued an interim report to the RCMP commissioner about the matter and Farnworth's office says the commissioner agreed with the report's findings and recommendations.

B.C. government orders probe of Prince George RCMP

Surrey Council approves contract for 152 Street Road Widening Project

Surrey Council approves contract for 152 Street Road Widening Project
During Monday night’s meeting, Surrey Council also awarded a $594,278 Consultant Construction Agreement to McElhanney Ltd., and approved the expenditure of $850,000 payable to BC Hydro for the relocation and modification of BC Hydro infrastructure necessary for the project.

Surrey Council approves contract for 152 Street Road Widening Project

New West Police and BC anti-gang task force investigation results in seizure of guns, large amounts of cocaine and fentanyl, and arrest of 5 men

New West Police and BC anti-gang task force investigation results in seizure of guns, large amounts of cocaine and fentanyl, and arrest of 5 men
All were arrested at various locations throughout the Lower Mainland on March 7th and have remained in custody overnight.  The investigation remains ongoing and CFSEU-BC anticipates that more charges may be forthcoming.

New West Police and BC anti-gang task force investigation results in seizure of guns, large amounts of cocaine and fentanyl, and arrest of 5 men