Coronavirus: Canada Delays Opening of Agri-Food Immigration Pilot

2020-03-31 – Canada has delayed the opening of the Agri-Food Immigration Pilot due to the ongoing battle to stop the spread of coronavirus.

The pilot, targeting labour shortages in the meat processing, year-round mushroom and greenhouse crop production and livestock raising industries, had been due to open during March 2020. 

It will now open on May 15, 2020, with applications accepted until May 14, 2023, Immigration Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) has announced.

“Those currently preparing their application should expect delays in receiving supporting documentation, such as proof of education and official language proficiency,” IRCC’s statement said.

“Organizations that provide these services have temporarily reduced or suspended their operations in response to COVID-19.”

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Applications For Canada’s Agri-Food Immigration Pilot To Open In March 2020
Agri-Food Immigration Pilot

What Industries Are Eligible For the Agri-Food Immigration Pilot?

Eligible industries are classified by the North American Industry Classification System (NAICS).

1. Meat product manufacturing (NAICS 3116)
2. Greenhouse, nursery and floriculture production, including mushroom production (NAICS 1114)
3. Animal production, excluding aquaculture (NAICS 1121, 1122, 1123, 1124 or 1129)

What Jobs Are Eligible For the Agri-Food Immigration Pilot?

1) Meat product manufacturing (NAICS 3116)

NOC B 6331: Retail butchers
NOC C 9462: Industrial butchers
NOC B 8252: Farm supervisors and specialized livestock workers
NOC D 9617: Food processing labourers

2) Greenhouse, nursery and floriculture production, including mushroom production (NAICS 1114)

NOC B 8252: Farm supervisors and specialized livestock workers
NOC C 8431: General farmworkers
NOC D 8611: Harvesting labourers

3) Animal production, excluding aquaculture (NAICS 1121, 1122, 1123, 1124 or 1129)

NOC B 8252: Farm supervisors and specialized livestock workers
NOC C 8431: General farmworkers

Application Limits By Eligible Job

The Agri-Food Immigration Pilot features annual application limits for each eligible occupation.

Agri-Food Immigration Pilot: Candidate Requirements

• 12 months of full-time, non-seasonal Canadian work experience (at least 1,560 hours in the past 3 years) in the Temporary Foreign Worker Program, in an eligible occupation.
• Canadian Language Benchmark level 4 in English or French in reading, writing, speaking and listening.
• Education at the high school level or greater (Canadian equivalency).
• Indeterminate job offer for full-time, non-seasonal work in Canada, outside of Quebec, at or above the prevailing wage.
• The required settlement funds for candidates and dependents, unless already working in Canada.

Two-Year LMIA For Meat Processors

To complement the pilot, Employment and Social Development Canada is introducing changes that will benefit meat processor employers who are supporting temporary foreign workers in transitioning to permanent residence.

A two-year Labour Market Impact Assessment will be issued to eligible meat process employers, including employers who are using the Agri-Food Immigration Pilot or other existing pathways to permanent residence for temporary foreign workers in the same occupations and industries that are eligible for the pilot.

Agri-Food Immigration Pilot In Quebec

The Agri-Food Immigration Pilot is not available in Quebec.

However, Quebec employers who hire non-seasonal workers through the Temporary Foreign Worker Program could benefit from a two-year LMIA as part of the pilot. 

The quality, the temporary foreign worker’s job must match one of the specific NOC codes eligible for the pilot.

It should be noted that candidates in Quebec will not be eligible to qualify for permanent residence through the pilot. They can qualify through Quebec immigration programs only.