Employer organizations and labour representatives are urging the federal government to create a new immigration pathway that would provide permanent residency options for essential jobs in Canada’s food sector.
The call follows the cancellation of the Agri-Food Immigration Pilot earlier this year. The program had recognized the year-round, permanent nature of work in food manufacturing, including meat processing. Its cancellation has left employers and workers without a clear path forward amid ongoing labour shortages.
The Canadian Meat Council (CMC) and the United Food and Commercial Workers (UFCW Canada) are among the groups backing the proposal. Both organizations represent key segments of Canada’s food manufacturing industry, which employs more than 300,000 people and contributes over $35 billion annually to the national economy.
“Lack of consistent labour is one of the biggest barriers to growth in our sector,” said Nestor Pawliuk, CEO of the Canadian Meat Council. “Businesses are investing in automation, training, and recruitment, but those efforts can’t succeed without stable access to the people who make our plants run every day.”
UFCW Canada National President Shawn Haggerty added that workers deserve the opportunity to establish permanent roots in the communities where they work:
“A fair and predictable immigration pathway is good for workers, families, and the long-term strength of the Canadian economy.”
Industry and union representatives are asking that the food sector be included in upcoming Temporary Foreign Worker Program reforms currently under development. They note that the sector faces unique realities — including year-round operations, specialized skills, and rural plant locations — that require tailored solutions rather than a one-size-fits-all approach.
The groups are calling for direct involvement in discussions to ensure future policies support a stable workforce within one of Canada’s most critical manufacturing sectors.
Signatories: Canadian Meat Council (CMC), United Food and Commercial Workers (UFCW Canada)
