Federal Opposition leader Pierre Poilievre has called for the elimination of the federal Temporary Foreign Worker (TFW) Program. While no position was taken on its application to other sectors, industry groups highlighted the importance of its agricultural streams, particularly the Seasonal Agricultural Worker Program (SAWP).
Labour shortages remain one of the main risks to the availability and cost of Canadian-grown fruits and vegetables, directly impacting food security. Without international worker programs, growers would not be able to secure enough labour to plant, maintain, and harvest perishable crops. This could lead to higher food prices, increased waste, and a greater reliance on imports.
© Fruit and Vegetable Growers of Canada
Poilievre has indicated a plan to create a separate program aimed at addressing chronic labour shortages in agriculture. While this is seen as a positive signal, industry groups expressed concern that ending existing programs could create uncertainty and worsen shortages.
They noted that more than 50 years of policy development and international cooperation have shaped the SAWP into a framework that has supported Canada's food supply chain. The statement warned that discarding the program would undermine its foundation.
"The existing SAWP must be preserved, and while discussion on how to improve the programming of the current agricultural streams is welcomed, throwing out programs that have served growers, their workers, and Canadian families well for over half a century would be ill-advised at any time, and reckless today, given the current risk exposure of our sector," the statement said.
Industry representatives urged caution in policymaking and expressed readiness to meet with the Leader of the Opposition and his shadow minister for agriculture to further discuss the issue.
© Fruit and Vegetable Growers of CanadaFor more information:
Ashley Peyrard
Fruit and Vegetable Growers of Canada
Tel: +1 613 621 2195
Email: [email protected]
www.fvgc.ca
