Recruitment & Retention
Temporary Foreign Workers
Temporary Foreign Worker Programs (TFWP) are crucial for Canadian employers in various industries, including agriculture, to address labor shortages when Canadian workers are unavailable. These programs provide employers with the flexibility to hire skilled and unskilled workers from abroad to meet the seasonal and labor demands that cannot be fulfilled by the domestic workforce.
The Seasonal Agricultural Workers Program (SAWP) and the Agricultural Stream are key components of the TFWP for agricultural sectors. These programs allow Canadian employers to hire temporary foreign workers (TFWs) from participating countries, particularly for farm and agricultural labor. Employers in the agricultural industry rely on these programs to meet seasonal demands and maintain productivity during peak times, such as planting and harvesting seasons.
Key Features and Requirements
- Seasonal Agricultural Workers Program (SAWP): Primarily targets workers from Mexico and the Caribbean. This program allows for hiring workers for a maximum of 8 months. To qualify for this stream, TFWs hired must be citizens from Mexico or participating Caribbean countries, production must be in specific commodity sectors, and the activity must be related to on farm primary agriculture.
- Agricultural Stream:This program allows employers to hire workers for longer periods (up to 24 months). It provides more flexibility in worker recruitment, as employers can hire workers from any country. However, employers are responsible for the recruitment process and must adhere to Canadian labor standards. To qualify for this stream, production must be in a specific commodity sector, and the activity must be related to on-farm primary agriculture.
Both programs involve a step-by-step process to ensure compliance with Canadian regulations. Employers must submit a Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA), advertise positions to local workers, and ensure that wages and working conditions meet established standards. Temporary foreign workers must also have the necessary work permits to enter and work in Canada.
Program Updates
In 2025, the Temporary Foreign Worker Program continues to evolve, with ongoing updates to improve efficiency, responsiveness to labour shortages, and support for both employers and workers.
The 2025 updates to the Temporary Foreign Worker Program (TFWP) focus on:
- Faster processing for applications and labour market impact assessments (LMIAs).
- Easier worker mobility within the agricultural sector.
- Stricter housing standards for foreign workers.
- Fairer wages that meet local standards.
- Enhanced recruitment efforts to prioritize Canadian workers.
- Stronger worker protections, including workplace safety and rights.
- More flexibility for employers in adapting contracts.
- Improved digital platforms for easier application and compliance.
These updates make the TFWP a vital resource for Canadian employers, particularly in agriculture, by addressing labor shortages while safeguarding workers’ rights. The changes aim to ensure a more efficient, fair, and compliant working relationship between employers and temporary foreign workers.