Labour shortages are one of the most urgent threats to the availability, affordability, and diversity of Canadian-grown fruits and vegetables. Without urgent improvements to international worker programs, growers will be unable to secure the workforce they need to harvest perishable crops\u2014leading to higher food prices, more waste, and increased reliance on imports.\u00a0<\/p>\n[\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row column_structure=”1_2,1_2″ admin_label=”Feature 02 Area” _builder_version=”4.21.0″ background_color=”#993333″ custom_margin=”||180px|” custom_padding=”0px|0px|0px|0px” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”1_2″ _builder_version=”4.16″ custom_padding=”5%|5%|5%|5%” custom_padding_tablet=”0px|0px|0px|0px” custom_padding_last_edited=”off|desktop” global_colors_info=”{}” padding_tablet=”0px|0px|0px|0px” padding_last_edited=”off|desktop” custom_padding__hover=”|||”][et_pb_heading title=”THE ISSUE ” _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” title_font=”|700|||||||” title_text_color=”#FFFFFF” global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_heading][et_pb_text admin_label=”Why Member Text” _builder_version=”4.27.4″ text_font=”||||||||” text_text_color=”rgba(255,255,255,0.66)” text_line_height=”1.8em” header_font=”||||||||” background_layout=”dark” max_width=”525px” module_alignment=”left” animation_style=”flip” animation_direction=”left” animation_intensity_flip=”20%” animation_starting_opacity=”100%” locked=”off” global_colors_info=”{}”]\n
Horticulture is the most intensive labour sector in agriculture.<\/p>\n
Fruit and vegetable production depends on manual work at every stage\u2014from planting and pruning to hand-harvesting, grading, and packing. Many crops require repeated harvests within tight timeframes, and delicate produce can\u2019t be picked by machine without damage. In Canada, fruit and vegetable growers face persistent labour challenges, with a peak-season vacancy rate of 12% in 2022, amounting to approximately 6,300 unfilled jobs and an estimated $260 million in lost sales.<\/p>\n
When growers can\u2019t access sufficient labour, they face financial strain, reduced crop yields, and disrupted supply chains. These pressures not only hurt growers’ businesses but also reduce the amount of fresh, Canadian-grown produce available to consumers, leading to higher prices and fewer choices at the grocery store.<\/p>\n[\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type=”1_2″ _builder_version=”4.16″ custom_padding=”|||” global_colors_info=”{}” custom_padding__hover=”|||”][et_pb_image src=”https:\/\/fvgc.ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/10\/CHC-harvesting-fingerling-potatoes-scaled.jpg” alt=”Migrant Worker Advocacy” title_text=”CHC harvesting fingerling potatoes” force_fullwidth=”on” align_tablet=”center” align_phone=”center” align_last_edited=”on|desktop” _builder_version=”4.27.4″ custom_margin=”-20px||-100px|1px|false|false” custom_padding=”140px|||||” animation_style=”slide” animation_direction=”left” animation_intensity_slide=”8%” animation_starting_opacity=”100%” box_shadow_style=”preset1″ box_shadow_blur=”80px” global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_image][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][\/et_pb_section][et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ admin_label=”Our Mission Section” _builder_version=”4.16″ background_color=”#f7f7f7″ custom_padding=”3px||100px|||” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_row column_structure=”1_3,2_3″ admin_label=”Our Mission Area” _builder_version=”4.16″ global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”1_3″ _builder_version=”4.16″ custom_padding=”|||” global_colors_info=”{}” custom_padding__hover=”|||”][et_pb_text admin_label=”Asking Title” _builder_version=”4.27.4″ text_font=”||||||||” header_font=”||||||||” header_2_font=”Lato||||||||” header_2_font_size=”36px” header_2_line_height=”1.5em” module_alignment=”center” custom_margin=”||15px|” custom_padding=”|||” animation_direction=”left” global_colors_info=”{}”]\n
Without a reliable workforce, Canada risks losing domestic production capacity\u2014undermining food security, rural economic development, and trade opportunities.\u00a0<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n[\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row column_structure=”1_3,2_3″ admin_label=”Our Mission Area” _builder_version=”4.16″ global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”1_3″ _builder_version=”4.16″ custom_padding=”|||” global_colors_info=”{}” custom_padding__hover=”|||”][et_pb_text admin_label=”Asking Title” _builder_version=”4.27.4″ text_font=”||||||||” header_font=”||||||||” header_2_font=”Lato||||||||” header_2_font_size=”36px” header_2_line_height=”1.5em” module_alignment=”center” custom_margin=”||15px|” custom_padding=”|||” animation_direction=”left” global_colors_info=”{}”]\n Growers cannot produce fresh fruits and vegetables without reliable access to workers. Streamlining processes, protecting proven programs like SAWP, and restoring balance in enforcement will help ensure timely access to labour\u2014while protecting both workers and employers.\u00a0The result: more Canadian-grown food on store shelves, stronger farm businesses, and more stable food prices for Canadian families.\u00a0<\/p>\n[\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row column_structure=”1_3,2_3″ admin_label=”Our Mission Area” _builder_version=”4.27.0″ border_width_top=”2px” border_color_top=”#E02B20″ global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”1_3″ _builder_version=”4.16″ custom_padding=”|||” global_colors_info=”{}” custom_padding__hover=”|||”][et_pb_text admin_label=”Asking Title” _builder_version=”4.27.0″ text_font=”||||||||” header_font=”||||||||” header_2_font=”Lato||||||||” header_2_font_size=”36px” header_2_line_height=”1.5em” module_alignment=”center” custom_margin=”||15px|” custom_padding=”|||” animation_direction=”left” global_colors_info=”{}”]\nWHAT FVGC RECOMMENDS<\/strong><\/h2>\n[\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type=”2_3″ _builder_version=”4.16″ custom_padding=”|||” global_colors_info=”{}” custom_padding__hover=”|||”][et_pb_text admin_label=”Asking Text” _builder_version=”4.27.4″ text_font=”||||||||” text_font_size=”16px” text_line_height=”1.8em” ul_font_size=”18px” ul_line_height=”1.5em” animation_style=”flip” animation_direction=”left” animation_intensity_flip=”20%” animation_starting_opacity=”100%” global_colors_info=”{}”]\n
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SAWP has operated for more than 50 years through bilateral agreements with participating countries. It is a proven model that includes annual reviews and strong accountability mechanisms. Canada should build on this success when making reforms to other temporary worker programs, instead of creating new or duplicative processes.\u00a0<\/li>\n
Recent shifts in how employment inspections are conducted\u2014by both Employment and Social Development Canada (ESDC) and Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC)\u2014have led to a \u201cguilty-until-proven-innocent\u201d approach. For growers who are following all the rules and are long-standing participants, this causes unnecessary delays and costs. Oversight must protect workers\u2019 rights while ensuring fair, timely treatment for employers acting in good faith.\u00a0<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<\/ol>\n
<\/ol>\n[\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row column_structure=”1_2,1_2″ admin_label=”Feature 01 Area” _builder_version=”4.27.4″ custom_padding=”39px|0px|0px|0px||” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”1_2″ _builder_version=”4.16″ custom_padding=”|||” global_colors_info=”{}” custom_padding__hover=”|||”][et_pb_image src=”https:\/\/fvgc.ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/11\/Untitled-design-6.png” alt=”Labour Advocacy” title_text=”Untitled design (6)” force_fullwidth=”on” align_tablet=”center” align_phone=”center” align_last_edited=”on|desktop” _builder_version=”4.27.4″ min_height=”321.5px” custom_margin=”|||” custom_padding=”1px|||0px||” custom_padding_tablet=”|||0px” custom_padding_phone=”” custom_padding_last_edited=”on|tablet” animation_style=”slide” animation_direction=”right” animation_intensity_slide=”8%” animation_starting_opacity=”100%” global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_image][\/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type=”1_2″ _builder_version=”4.16″ custom_padding=”5%|5%|5%|5%” global_colors_info=”{}” custom_padding__hover=”|||”][et_pb_text admin_label=”Advocacy Title” _builder_version=”4.27.4″ text_font=”||||||||” header_font=”||||||||” header_2_font=”Lato||||||||” header_2_font_size=”36px” header_2_line_height=”1.5em” module_alignment=”center” min_height=”165px” custom_margin=”-55px||-53px|||” custom_padding=”|||” animation_direction=”left” global_colors_info=”{}”]\n
WHY THIS MATTERS<\/strong><\/h2>\n[\/et_pb_text][et_pb_text admin_label=”Advocacy Text” _builder_version=”4.27.4″ text_font=”||||||||” text_line_height=”1.8em” header_font=”||||||||” max_width=”525px” module_alignment=”left” animation_style=”flip” animation_direction=”left” animation_intensity_flip=”20%” animation_starting_opacity=”100%” global_colors_info=”{}”]\n
Resources<\/span><\/h2>\n[\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type=”2_3″ _builder_version=”4.16″ custom_padding=”|||” global_colors_info=”{}” custom_padding__hover=”|||”][et_pb_text admin_label=”Asking Text” module_class=”english-only” _builder_version=”4.27.0″ text_font=”||||||||” text_font_size=”16px” text_line_height=”1.8em” ul_font_size=”18px” ul_line_height=”1.5em” animation_style=”flip” animation_direction=”left” animation_intensity_flip=”20%” animation_starting_opacity=”100%” global_colors_info=”{}”]\n