Governments investing in initiatives to attract and retain agri-food labour
News release
$4 million in funding will support innovative strategies for recruiting and retaining skilled agri-food workers
October 8, 2024 – Toronto, Ontario – Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada
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.
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.
Successful producers and processors can receive up to 50% 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% 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% by 2032 and making Ontario the destination of choice for International Agri-Food Workers (IAWs).
The Sustainable CAP is a 5-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% federally and 40% provincially/territorially for programs designed and delivered by the provinces and territories.
Quotes
“As Ontario’s agri-food sector continues to grow, it’s vitally important that folks have skilled workers to get the job done. Through the Labour Force Management Strategies Initiative, we can help the sector attract and retain the talent they need.”
- The Honourable Lawrence MacAulay, Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food
“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. We will continue supporting our agribusinesses in recruiting and retaining talent and reinforcing worker skills to sow the seeds of long-term competitiveness.”
- The Honourable Rob Flack, Ontario Minister of Agriculture, Food and Agribusiness
Quick facts
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October 7 to 13, 2024 is Ontario Agriculture Week. The Ontario government is celebrating by recognizing all the hardworking farmers and agri-food workers who help get our food from the farm gate to consumers’ plates.
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For more information about OMAFA programs and services, contact the Agricultural Information Contact Centre (AICC) by phone at 1-877-424-1300 or by email at ag.info.omafa@ontario.ca.
Associated links
Contacts
For media:
Annie Cullinan
Director of Communications
Office of the Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food
annie.cullinan@agr.gc.ca
Media Relations
Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada
Ottawa, Ontario
1-866-345-7972
aafc.mediarelations-relationsmedias.aac@agr.gc.ca
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Web: Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada
Makena Mahoney
Minister's Office
Makena.Mahoney@ontario.ca
Meaghan Evans
Communications Branch
OMAFRA.media@ontario.ca
519-826-3145
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