Government of Canada supporting youth employment in the Eastern Townships agriculture sector

From: Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada

News release

March 23, 2021 – Eastern Townships, Quebec – Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada

Today, the Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food, the Honourable Marie-Claude Bibeau along with the Member of Parliament for Brome-Missisquoi, Lyne Bessette, highlighted an investment of over $324,000 to hire 34 youth to work on farm businesses in the Eastern Townships, Quebec, through the Youth Employment and Skills Program (YESP).

The announcement was made at a virtual event alongside three recipients, Ferme d'Orée (Cookshire-Eaton), Ferme Côté Jardin (Cookshire-Eaton) and Ferme Croque-Saisons (Lingwick).

With this funding, the 29 local farms were able to hire 34 young people in 2020 to work in various roles, including preparing food orders, tending to animals, preparing fields, weeding, and harvesting. Young people gained the information, skills, work experience and abilities they need to make a successful transition into the labour market.

The Government of Canada is committed to providing opportunities for youth to work in agriculture, which can lead to future careers in the sector.

Quotes

“Our government is committed to helping youth get the skills and support they need to succeed. This program has helped over 34 youth take jobs with farmers and food businesses in the Eastern Townships last year. Our government will continue addressing labour shortages in the agriculture sector, while encouraging more youth to discover the limitless career options agriculture has to offer.”

-       The Honourable Marie-Claude Bibeau, Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food 

“Farmers and food producers have a strong work ethic and a rich history that goes back generations. This program has helped introduce our youth to these traditions and values, and ensure they are able to get the experience they need to start careers in the sector. The Government of Canada is continuing to encourage and support youth in the agriculture sector.”

-       Lyne Bessette, Member of Parliament for Brome-Missisquoi

“The Youth Employment and Skills Program allows us to offer young people their first work opportunity in organic farming. Many of those who have benefited from it are still part of our team today. Financial support from the Government of Canada allows us to continue our volunteer commitments to the Coopérative pour l’agriculture de proximité écologique (CAPÉ) and the Family Farmers Network, as well as our research projects and innovations on the farm, such as no-till market gardening and the use of green manure.”

-       Caroline Poirier, Owner, Ferme Croque-Saisons

“The Youth Employment and Skills Program allowed us to hire a young man for the 2020 season. Now in 2021, we have a reliable, competent and motivated employee returning to work!”

-       Gert Janssens et Sarah Hui, Owners of Ferme Côté Jardin and Ferme d'ORée

Quick facts

  • The Youth Employment and Skills Program (YESP) provides a wage subsidy to employers who hire youth for agricultural jobs. The program offers support for 50% of wages up to a maximum of $14,000. Indigenous applicants and those applicants hiring a youth facing barriers are eligible for funding of up to 80 per cent of their costs. YESP also offers 100% reimbursement of relocation up to a maximum of $5,000 if the employee must relocate for the position.

  • Eligible applicants include producers, agri-businesses, industry associations, provincial and territorial governments, Indigenous organizations and research facilities.

  • First launched in June, 2019, the Government of Canada later enhanced the YESP with an investment of $9.2 million to help the agriculture industry attract Canadian youth, ages 15 to 30, to their organizations as the sector was facing labour shortages brought on by the pandemic. Since then, nearly 1,000 agricultural jobs were created across Canada in 2020-2021.

  • The YESP is part of the Youth Employment and Skills Strategy (YESS), which is the Government of Canada's commitment to help young people, particularly those facing barriers to employment, get the information and gain the skills, work experience and abilities they need to make a successful transition into the labour market.

Contacts

Jean-Sébastien Comeau
Press Secretary
Office of the Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food
jean-sebastien.comeau@canada.ca
343-549-2326

Media Relations
Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada
Ottawa, Ontario
613-773-7972
1-866-345-7972
aafc.mediarelations-relationsmedias.aac@canada.ca
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