Canada’s farming sector attracts thousands of foreign workers each year. Getting a farm job in Canada as a foreign national can be a great way to increase your income, improve your quality of life, and help the agriculture industry grow.
Canada is experiencing a significant labor shortage on farms, despite the expansion of the primary agricultural sector. Work on farms, nurseries, or greenhouses constitutes primary agriculture, which employs over 241,500 people and contributes 1.6% of Canada’s GDP. By 2033, over 40% of agricultural workers are expected to retire, and a recent report states that Canada needs 30,000 immigrants to fill urgent and crucial positions in the agricultural industry. Moving to Canada as a foreign worker with farming experience can lead to new opportunities. We discuss the process of moving to Canada as a farm worker, whether temporarily or permanently, and how to find jobs in agriculture as a newcomer.
In this piece:
Which jobs in agriculture and farming are in high demand in Canada?
How much do Canadian farm workers earn?
How to get a job in Canada in agriculture
working as a farm worker for a short time in Canada
As a farm worker, moving permanently to Canada: PR campaigns
Which jobs in agriculture and farming are in high demand in Canada?
There are plenty of opportunities in Canada’s agricultural industry, but certain provinces may have a higher demand for certain positions. The following is a list of urgently needed jobs in agriculture and farming in various Canadian provinces:
The agriculture and livestock industries in Canada are expected to continue expanding without the workers listed above. The IRCC gives priority to applicants with experience in these fields for work permits to meet the demand for these skills.
However, there is a strong demand in the provinces of Quebec, Ontario, Manitoba, Saskatchewan, Alberta, and a portion of British Columbia for agricultural managers (NOC 80020), which is not on this list.
How much do Canadian farm workers earn?
The government’s Job Bank says that the average hourly wage for most primary agriculture jobs is between $16 and $18. However, in Canada, many farm jobs, like picking fruit, are only available during certain times of the year, making it difficult to find full-time employment.
Farm machinery operators (NOC 84120) and industrial butchers (NOC 94141) are specialist workers who earn between $20 and $23 per hour on average. In some regions of Canada, skilled specialists can earn as much as $34 per hour.
In some provinces, agricultural managers (NOC 80020) can earn up to $37.50 per hour, with a median salary of $24.48.
It is important to note that many employers offer seasonal agricultural workers accommodations. Access to free housing can significantly cut your monthly housing costs in Canada, where the average Canadian spends between $800 and $1,800. Before accepting a job offer, be sure to inquire about the benefits to which you are entitled.
How to get a job in Canada in agriculture
A significant number of current farmers are expected to retire in the coming years, which is expected to exacerbate Canada’s agriculture sector’s severe labor shortage. In addition to farm labor, jobs in quality control, packaging, the supply chain, marketing, and finance are also available in agriculture.
Even though there are plenty of opportunities for foreign workers, the recruitment process and job market may be very different from what you’re used to back home. As a result, it may not always be easy for a foreign resident or newcomer to find work in Canada’s farming industry. Here are some suggestions to help you find employment in Canada’s agriculture:
Learn about the agricultural employment market.
There is a wide range of demand for agricultural positions across Canada. Saskatchewan, Alberta, and Manitoba are the Prairie provinces, which are known for crop and pig farming. There are substantial commercial fishing industries on the west coast of Canada in British Columbia, Nova Scotia, and Newfoundland and Labrador. British Columbia, Ontario, and Quebec, both in Canada’s central provinces, account for the majority of the fruit industry.
Make sure to investigate the regions of Canada that have the highest demand for the jobs in agriculture that you are interested in. Understanding when the recruitment season begins and what skills employers are looking for in your field is also a good idea.
Utilize online portals to find job postings
It’s a good idea to check out job portals like Job Bank, Monster, Indeed, and LinkedIn to find open positions. Read the job descriptions to learn more about the tasks you will be required to perform and the skills and experience you will need. In addition, you will find information about the salary range, whether the position is full-time or seasonal, and the benefits you will receive if hired for the position in many job listings.
Join agencies that hire farm workers
GreenTech Resources Ltd. and Agricultural Employment Alberta Ltd. are two employment agencies in Canada that specialize in recruiting for farming positions. Other employment agencies may also be able to assist foreign residents with their work permit applications. Importantly, recruitment agencies in Canada do not charge job candidates or applicants a fee. When the position is filled, the employer pays them.
Make a resume in the style of Canada
The format of a resume in Canada may be very different from the one in your home country. In Canada, employers prefer to see your accomplishments and skills on your resume rather than just your previous job responsibilities. Make sure to customize your resume with keywords from the job listing because some Canadian employers use an applicant tracking system (ATS) to shortlist resumes that best match the description of the position.
Establish professional connections
Networking is a great way to find job opportunities that aren’t advertised online and is a part of the work culture in Canada. Connecting with people you know who have moved to Canada to work in the agriculture sector can help you build your network there. On LinkedIn, you might also be able to get in touch with Canadian farm owners, professionals from agri-food companies, and agricultural recruiters. You can request a coffee chat to learn more about the agriculture industry and hiring procedures after making the first connection. The idea is to build meaningful relationships with industry professionals so you can use those connections to get job recommendations.
Prepare for interviews for jobs
Before receiving a job offer, you may need to pass multiple rounds of interviews after your resume is chosen. Typically, the interview process will concentrate on assessing your abilities, experience, and fit for the position. Start by researching the employer or company as well as Canadian farming practices before your job interview. Additionally, you should practice your responses to frequently asked interview questions like “Why do you want to work here?” and ” Tell me more about yourself.
Working as a farm worker for a short time in Canada
A valid work permit is required if you want to temporarily work in agriculture in Canada. You can live and work in Canada for a set amount of time with a work permit, which is a temporary residency permit. Without a work permit, foreign farm workers cannot work in Canada.
In Canada, there are two kinds of work permits: open work permits and those issued by an employer. An employer-specific work permit only allows you to work for one employer at one location in Canada and requires a Canadian job offer. An open work permit, on the other hand, can be obtained only under certain conditions and does not require a job offer. You can temporarily work as a farm worker in Canada in the following ways:
Program for Seasonal Agricultural Workers (SAWP)
After the summer, many farming activities in Canada slow down, and winter typically has fewer opportunities for employment in agriculture. The government of Canada has launched the Seasonal Agricultural Worker Program (SAWP) to encourage temporary foreign workers to come to Canada to perform essential seasonal farm work.
What is the Seasonal Agricultural Worker Program, also known as the SAWP?
When there is a shortage of domestic workers, the SAWP permits Canadian employers to hire temporary foreign workers (TFWs) for specific primary agriculture jobs. Between January 1 and December 15, employers can hire TFWs for up to eight months and must provide at least 240 hours of work within six weeks.
An open work permit entitles applicants who meet the requirements of the Seasonal Agricultural Worker Program to work for multiple SAWP employers anywhere in Canada. Typically, SAWP work permits are valid for a maximum of eight months.
The Seasonal Agricultural Worker Program is open to everyone
You must fulfill all of the following requirements to be eligible for the SAWP:
To participate, you must be a citizen of a participating nation, such as Mexico, or a Caribbean nation like Trinidad or Jamaica.
Be hired by the government of your home country—not Canada—and prepare to work for employers in Canada who participate in the Seasonal Agricultural Worker Program.
Work permits for farm workers that are tailored to the employer
Don’t worry if you don’t qualify for SAWP. You can still apply for a work permit that is specific to your employer. To be considered for a work permit, you will need a job offer in Canada. However, a Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA) is required by a Canadian employer to demonstrate that no Canadian citizens or permanent residents are available to fill the position.
Numerous Canadian businesses are actively recruiting temporary foreign workers to fill open positions as a result of the severe shortage of agricultural workers in the country. You can apply for a work permit in Canada once you have a job offer and a copy of the positive LMIA from your employer.
Your work permit application may be processed in a few weeks or months, depending on where you are applying. The estimated processing time for your nation can be found on the government website. However, you may be able to expedite your work permit application if your job offer is a priority occupation (see Which farming and agricultural jobs are in demand in Canada).
As a farm worker, moving permanently to Canada: PR campaigns
You can also look into the country’s permanent residence (PR) programs if you want to stay permanently in Canada. Here are a portion of the PR programs ranch laborers and other farming specialists might meet all requirements for:
Streams of the Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) for farm workers
With the help of Provincial Nominee Programs, provincial governments can select PR candidates with relevant expertise and skills. Except for Quebec and Nunavut, the PNP program has multiple streams in each province and territory.
Alberta, Manitoba, and Saskatchewan, all of which have significant agricultural sectors, each have their distinct streams of the Provincial Nominee Program that are related to agriculture. Experienced farm workers and operators from all over the world who want to invest in and run their farms in Canada are the target audience for these programs. The most important PNP streams are as follows:
AAIP Farm Stream in Alberta
There is a Farm Stream in the Alberta Advantage Immigration Program (AAIP) for self-starting farmers who possess the financial resources and farm management expertise necessary to establish or acquire a farm in Alberta. You need to:
Must demonstrate that you have previous experience or training in farm management.
Set a minimum investment of $500,000 in an Alberta primary production farming company.
Send AAIP a proposed business plan with information about investments. The strategy needs to meet Alberta’s agricultural requirements and be financially attainable.
Pathway for Farm Investors in Manitoba
Within Manitoba’s PNP program is a stream called the Farm Investor Pathway (FIP). This route is for people who have worked in farm management in the past and have the money to start and run a farm in rural Manitoba. You need to:
Have owned and operated a farm for at least three years
Have a minimum net worth of $500,000
To start a farming business in a rural area of Manitoba, you must commit to investing at least $300,000.
Submit a business plan for farming.
Visit Manitoba to investigate the business sector
Be fluent in either French or English
Saskatchewan Farm Owner and Operator The Saskatchewan Immigrant Nominee Program (SINP) includes the Farm Owner and Operator category. There are two streams in the program:
Owner and operator of a farm
To be considered for this stream, you must:
Show that you’ve been running a farm for at least three years
Indicate a wealth of at least $500,000
Submit a proposal for commercial farming in Saskatchewan with a minimum investment of $150,000 and a minimum annual revenue of $10,000
To purchase a farm and actively manage it, you must sign a Performance Agreement
Send in a cash deposit of $75,000, which will be refunded to you once the performance agreement’s terms are met. The money goes to the province if not.)
Take a look around in Saskatchewan
A young farmer who owns and runs the farm
To be considered for this stream, you must:
Show that you’ve been running a farm for at least three years.
Be under 40 years old.
Indicate a wealth of at least $300,000.
Submit a proposal for commercial farming with a projected annual income of at least $10,000 to operate in Saskatchewan.
To purchase a form and actively use it, you must sign a Performance Agreement.
Send in a cash deposit of $75,000, which will be refunded to you once the performance agreement’s terms are met. The money goes to the province if not.)
To supplement your farming income, you or your spouse must have employment skills based on education and experience.
In addition to the Provincial Nominee Program, you may be eligible for other immigration programs. A portion of the government’s extremely durable home projects you can investigate incorporate Express Section, Atlantic Migration Program (AIP), Country and Northern Movement Pilot (RNIP).
You might be able to find work in Canada that is right for you as a foreign national with experience in the agricultural sector. The agricultural sector in Canada contributes significantly to the economy and helps to control food prices. However, the country of Canada relies on immigrants and foreign workers to make up for a significant shortage of farm workers. You may be able to invest in your farm or find seasonal or full-time employment, depending on the kind of work you are looking for. You may also be eligible for programs for permanent residence if you intend to settle in Canada.
