Governments Investing in Initiatives to Attract and Retain Agri-Food Labour

TORONTO — The governments of Canada and Ontario are creating the Labour Force Management Strategies Initiative to attract and retain Ontario agri-food workers. Funded through the Sustainable Canadian Agricultural Partnership (Sustainable CAP), this $4 million investment will strengthen Ontario’s agri-food workforce for years to come.

“As Ontario’s agri-food sector continues to grow, it’s vitally important that folks have skilled workers to get the job done,” said the Honourable Lawrence MacAulay, federal Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food. “Through the Labour Force Management Strategies Initiative, we can help the sector attract and retain the talent they need.”

The initiative will help fund job training and new recruitment marketing campaigns, introduce new worker supports such as ridesharing programs and language training and support the planning of on-site amenities and recreational facilities.

“We have heard loud and clear from Ontario’s agribusiness champion processors that continued access to skilled labour is crucial to their long-term growth,” said Rob Flack, Ontario Minister of Agriculture, Food and Agribusiness. “We will continue supporting our agribusinesses in recruiting and retaining talent and reinforcing worker skills to sow the seeds of long-term competitiveness.”

Successful producers and processors can receive up to 50 per cent in cost-share support per project, up to a maximum of $40,000. Eligible industry organizations and collaborations between or among businesses can receive up to 50 per cent of their eligible costs, up to a maximum of $100,000 per project. The initiative will start accepting applications from eligible primary producers, processors and industry organizations on October 22, 2024. Applications will be accepted no later than September 2, 2025.

The initiative builds on the Canadian Agricultural Partnership–funded Ontario Agri-Careers Support Initiative (OACSI) to address agri-food labour challenges. It also supports the Grow Ontario Strategy goals of increasing total agri-food sector employment by 10 per cent by 2032 and making Ontario the destination of choice for International Agri-Food Workers (IAWs).

The Sustainable CAP is a five-year (2023-2028), $3.5-billion investment by federal, provincial and territorial governments to strengthen competitiveness, innovation, and resiliency of Canada’s agriculture, agri‐food and agri‐based products sector. This includes $1 billion in federal programs and activities and a $2.5 billion commitment that is cost-shared 60 per cent federally and 40 per cent provincially/territorially for programs designed and delivered by the provinces and territories.