• Français
Find Your Local Union
Subscribe to E-news
 
Login
Scholarships
Contact

UFCW Canada - Union Logo

Canada's Private Sector Union

  • About Our Union
  • Media & News
  • Resources
  • Issues
  • Action Centre
  • Join the Union
Media & News

Agri-Food Pilot Program Expanded

Toronto — May 19, 2023 — The Government of Canada has announced that they are expanding the Agri-Food Pilot, which will now run until May 14, 2025. Launched in May 2020, the pilot helps facilitate the transition of experienced workers in agricultural and food industries to permanent residence in Canada.

The Ministry also announced the removal of the annual occupational caps, which will provide an opportunity for more eligible candidates to apply. They are also expanding open work permit access to family members of all participants in the Agri-Food Pilot.

An important change is that they are now allowing unions to attest to a candidate’s work experience, as an alternative to employer reference letter. This will allow unions like UFCW Canada to provide direct support for agricultural members to be part of the pilot, reducing barriers and bypassing employers.

National Representative Santiago Escobar spoke on CBC Windsorabout these changes. “This will facilitate access to this program thanks to union representation,” he says. “Our union is supporting members throughout the pilot, which is the only path that agriculture workers have to obtain permanent residency.”

“This program strengths workers, their families, and local communities,” Escobar adds. “Migrant agricultural workers can spend between two years, or even fours years, without seeing their families.” This expansion is an opportunity to change that.

Listen to the full interview here.

  • Media & News
    • News
      • Topics
      • Press Releases
    • Media
      • Posters
    • Subscribe to E-news

Media Contact

For media inquiries, please email [email protected] with the word ‘Media’ in the subject line.

  • Find our brand guidelines here.
  • Join the Union
  • About Our Union
    • About Our Union
      • Find Your Local Union
      • National President
      • National Council
      • Constitution
      • Union History
      • UFCW Canada Annual Report
      • Brand Guidelines
      • Join UFCW Canada
  • Media & News
    • Media & News
      • News
      • Media
      • Subscribe to E-news
  • Resources
    • Resources
      • Stand for Canada, Shop UFCW-made
      • The National Defence Fund
      • Migrant Members
      • Union Training & Scholarships
      • Member Discounts
      • Health & Safety
      • UFCW Canada Equity Grant Program
  • Issues
    • Issues
      • Leukemia Fundraising
      • Political Action
      • Women and Gender Equity
      • Social Justice
      • The Union for Agriculture Workers
      • UFCW Pride – Union Pride!
      • Young Workers
      • Food Justice
      • Global Solidarity
      • Uber Drivers United
      • Conscious Cannabis
  • Action Centre
    • Action Centre
      • Affordability for All
      • Violence is not part of the job: Respect Frontline Workers!
      • Make Truth and Reconciliation a paid day of recognition and remembrance
      • Paid Sick Days Now!
      • Migrant workers deserve permanent residency
      • End the Heritage Inn Lockout Now
  • Join the Union
    • Join the Union
      • Why UFCW Canada
      • Union Advantage
      • Union Facts
      • Frequently Asked Questions
      • Everything About Unions
      • Industries We Represent
      • Workplaces We Represent
      • How to Join a Union
      • Join Now

Login

FacebookXYoutube2Instagram

Copyright © 2025 UFCW Canada. All Rights Reserved
United Food and Commercial Workers Union
Canada's private sector union