If you want to work in Canada as a farm worker, then we have some good news for you. Due to its increasing population, Canada spurred on by growing food demands, has created targets for new agricultural job openings which, according to haltonhillstoday.com, totals to 30,000 vacancies for farmers by the end of 2033.
Farmers can see a promising, sustainable future for themselves and their families in Canada due to the long-term demand for agricultural workers. The following will break down the current provinces in Canada that need farm workers, the suitable programs for farmers to use to immigrate, and how to apply.
Canadian Provinces Where Farmers Are Most in-Demand
To have the best possible chance to work in Canada as a farm worker, you should target the provinces and territories where your experience and skills are needed most. As per Canada Job Bank, the job opportunities in each province or territory are marked by either “Fair”, “Limited”, “Undetermined,” or “Good”.
Take note that the data below is derived directly from the official Canadian government website. The areas marked as “Undetermined” indicate that the Canadian government could not obtain the relevant data for that particular province.
The table below represents the job opportunities by province and territory for farm workers in Canada over the next three years:
Location | Job Prospects |
---|---|
Alberta | Fair |
British Columbia | Limited |
Manitoba | Fair |
New Brunswick | Limited |
Newfoundland and Labrador | Fair |
Northwest Territories | Undetermined (no data on job prospects in this province) |
Nova Scotia | Good |
Nunavut | Undetermined (no data on job prospects in this province) |
Ontario | Good |
Prince Edward Island | Good |
Quebec | Fair |
Saskatchewan | Limited |
Yukon Territory | Undetermined (no data on job prospects in this province) |
The table indicates that the provinces with a “Good” rating for need or demand for farm workers are: Nova Scotia, Ontario, and Prince Edward Island.
Nova Scotia
Situated along the Eastern seaboard of North America, Nova Scotia is around 580 km long, according to Britannica.com. The province is 130 km wide at any point. It borders the Gulf of Maine and the Atlantic Ocean to the South and the Bay Fundy and New Brunswick in the North. Cape Breton Island and other small islands are grouped into the province's jurisdictional area.
Nova Scotia's economy is driven by fishing, forestry, mining, and natural gas extraction in rural areas. Tourism and service industries such as Information Communications Technology (ICT), naval defense, seafood, and financial services are important in growing the province's economy. Should you be eligible to apply, you can use the following Nova Scotian PNPs to immigrate to the province.
The Nova Scotia Labour Market Priorities Stream (NSLMPS)
To be selected for this stream, you must enter the federal Express Entry pool. You will be chosen from this pool if you meet the labor market needs of Nova Scotia. Apply only if you receive a Letter of Interest from the Nova Scotian Office of Immigration. Here you can find a more comprehensive breakdown of the NSLMPS eligibility criteria and application process if you’re interested.
Skilled Worker Stream
This stream assists employers with finding and employing recent graduates and foreign workers. It was created to deal with a shortage of skilled workers (in this case, skilled farm workers), in job sectors where local Canadians don't have the skills required to perform the duties of those jobs.
You can apply for permanent residency as a skilled (TEER 0, 1 or 2), semi-skilled (TEER 3 or 4), or low-skilled worker (TEER 5) worker using this stream, provided you meet the stream’s requirements. Here’s a full breakdown of the Skilled Worker Stream eligibility criteria and application process to help you get started.
Ontario
Located in east-central Canada, Ontario is the most populated Canadian province. Around 14 million people call Ontario their home. Ontario is the center of activity in Canada and acts as the nation's hub of economic, social, and political opportunity. Canada’s Federal government is the largest employer of Ontarians.
Express Entry Human Capital Priorities Stream
This Provincial Nominee stream works together with the Express Entry System. To immigrate to Canada, you must create an Express Entry profile and be eligible (in this case as a farm worker) for the Federal Skilled Worker Program (FSWP) or, should you be fortunate enough to have prior working experience in Canada, for the Canadian Experience Class. If your interested in finding out more about the eligibility requirements for the EE Human Capital Priorities Stream we have have a full breakdown of it.
Eligibility for this stream depends on Federal and provincial criteria. Both must be met if you are to apply for Canadian permanent residence using this stream. Here’s a full breakdown of the FSWP eligibility criteria and application process to help you get started.
Employer Job Offer: In-Demand Skills Stream
The stream was created for foreign semi-skilled workers who have to want to immigrate to Ontario and possess the requisite work experience for a job offered on the province's list of in-demand jobs.
Truck drivers and farm workers, both semi-skilled workers, can immigrate to Canada through the In-Demand Skills Immigration Stream should they have an offer of employment within an in-demand occupation by an Ontario employer. We have a full breakdown of In-demand Skills Stream eligibility requirements if you are interested in finding out more.
Prince Edward Island
Prince Edward Island, one of Canada’s three Maritime Provinces, consists primarily of the main island and 231 smaller, majority uninhabited islands. The island’s economy is based on agriculture, most of which are potato crops that supply most of the country. The province remains a mostly sparsely populated agricultural, with a small, thriving fishing market.
Prince Edward Island Express Entry Stream
PEI accept applicants who have a skill set that’s in demand and possess the right work experience aligned with the province’s labor needs. You will receive an invitation to apply (ITA) for permanent residency if you meet PEI's labor needs.
The PEI Express Entry stream enables you to apply without a job offer. Here’s a full breakdown of the PEIEE eligibility criteria and application process to help you get started.
Prince Edward Island Critical Workers Stream
The PEI Critical Worker Stream is driven by employers who are allowed to fill low-skilled positions that can’t be filled in the local domestic job market. You can apply to become a permanent resident of Canada through this stream if you currently work in PEI. The only exception to this is for trucking-sector employers who may recruit workers from other provinces in Canada.
Here’s a full breakdown of the PEI Critical Workers Stream eligibility criteria and application process to help you get started.
Skilled Workers Outside Canada Stream
Apply for a provincial nomination for permanent residency using the Skilled Worker Outside Canada Stream if you have an offer of employment from an employer located in PEI.
Here’s a full breakdown of the PEI Skilled Workers Outside Canada Stream eligibility criteria and application process to help you get started.
Skills Needed to Work as a Farm Worker in Canada
No formal education is required, and the nature of the job allows for foreign workers to gain on-the-job training. However, below are the skills general farmers should have:
- General farmers in Canada must prove they attended a Grower Pesticide Safety Course or a supervised and approved on-farming training session.
- The foreign worker should have experience in operating various agricultural types of machinery such as seeders, sprayers, and feeding systems
- Having experience in agricultural farming (crop or livestock) may be highly advantageous
Other Eligible Programs you can Use
There is mainly one other program you can use to immigrate to Canada as a farm worker. This program is not directly associated with or under the administrative management of the three main provinces where farm workers are needed. It is The Atlantic Immigration Pilot.
The Atlantic Immigration Pilot
The Atlantic Immigration Pilot targets skilled workers looking for permanent residence in one of Canada’s four Atlantic provinces, namely:
Atlantic Intermediate Skilled Program
Of the programs under AIP management, this program is best for prospective farm workers to Canada. Semi-skilled workers can apply using this stream if they:
- Have a minimum of one year of working experience,
- The equivalent of a Canadian high school diploma,
- Industry-specific training.
Here's a full breakdown if you want to know more about the Atlantic Intermediate Skill Program eligibility requirements.
The Benefits of Being a Farm Worker in Canada
Farmers are among Canada’s most valuable workers since they are responsible for both feeding the nation and boosting the overall value of Canada’s exports through agricultural products. Canada’s government has initiated a set of providential incentives and benefits to farmers’ fortunes. They include but are not limited to:
Preferential Estate Evaluations
The value of farmland is given preferential treatment regarding its asset value. They appreciate a much higher value than seemingly estate properties of the same size.
Subsidies
The Canadian government subsidizes farming in Canada to bolster the sector against competitors from other nations. This is especially evident for essential agricultural produce such as wheat, corn, and cereal crops produced by Canada’s farmers.
Export Opportunities
Canada gives its farmers ample opportunity to increase their profits by exporting their products to key markets where their produce is in demand.
Affordable Land Prices
New farmers, can purchase viable agricultural affordably. due to the country’s vast swathes of available agricultural land, especially along the central prairie provinces.
Get Ready to Make the Move to Canada as a farm worker Today!
Understandably so, Canada is a multi-dimensional country with an abundance of opportunities for immigrants. Due to the seasonal nature of the agricultural industry in Canada, we also encourage immigrants to have a backup plan and remain open-minded and flexible in trying out different job opportunities that are economically viable on many levels.
We understand that immigrating to another country can be daunting but with the right guidance and advice, your transition can be smooth. In this article, we’ve provided you with the provinces in Canada that need farmers, the relevant programs as well other resources that you may find helpful during your immigration process.
If you’re still a bit fuzzy on the way forward, then feel free to get in touch with our Regulated Canadian Immigration Consultants (RCICs) for guidance and support today.
FAQs
What is the Easiest Program to Migrate to Canada?
The Express Entry system is the most preferred option. It is highly accommodating since it comprises three versatile immigration pathways: Canadian Experience Class, Federal Skilled Program, and Federal Skilled Trades Program. The system is known to yield fast results.
Can Farmers get PR in Canada?
Yes, farmers can get permanent residency (PR) in Canada if they target the right province or territory that’s seeking farmers. It is important to research the Canadian provinces before applying and ensure you can fulfill the program criteria and the job requirements. You can get PR in Canada through the Agri-Food Pilot, which will run until May 2023.
Are Farm Workers Needed in Canada?
Farmers are in high demand in Canada since the Canadian government sees 30,000 new vacancies for farmers from up to the end of 2033. However, one would have to check the availability of opportunities within each province.
Because the agricultural industry is seasonal and physically straining coupled with the unpredictable Canadian weather, we would advise immigrants to keep their options open. The good news is that Canada has many broad career opportunities that cater to everyone's needs.
However, if you really want to immigrate as a farmer, you would want to check out the Agri-Food Pilot, which will run until May 2023. The pilot enables PR in Canada for skilled, experienced workers as well.