Analysis of the Provincial Nominee Programs (PNP) in each province indicates currently there are limited pathways to permanency for agriculture and agri-food workers in the NOC C & D categories, for which the industry has a critical need. Several Provincial Nominee Programs (or the equivalent) are targeting “higher skills” labour which excludes agriculture workers who are currently classified as “lower skilled”. Yet, agriculture and agri-food workers are in high demand. These are well-paying jobs with many opportunities for career promotion making agriculture and agri-food workers strong candidates for economic immigration in rural communities that need to be re-populated, where these jobs are readily available. Currently, there are over 1,000 vacant work stations in the value-added meat industry alone. Several of the Atlantic provinces’ Provincial Nominee Programs allow access for full time agriculture and agri-food workers including seafood processing, however, many seafood processors have seasonal processing requirements which correspond with the fishing season. These jobs do not qualify for any of the provincial nominee programs.
