An investment of up to $1.5 million to attract and retain international agri-food workers was announced late last week.
Rob Flack, the provincial minister of agriculture, food and agribusiness, joined Essex MPP Anthony Leardi at the South Essex Community Council (SECC) office in Kingsville last Friday afternoon.
Flack announced that the governments of Canada and Ontario are investing up to $1.5 million over four years to create a more welcoming environment for international agri-food workers (IAW’s). Flack noted agribusiness is a $51 billion industry in Ontario.
Approximately 27,000 international workers come to Ontario each year to support the agri-business industry, said Flatt.
“It’s 30 per cent of the primary agricultural workforce,” said Flack.
The funding will help to provide a number of different services, including translation, recreation, transportation and networking among others.
“International agri-food workers play a vital role in Ontario’s agri-food sector, and we want them to feel engaged and supported,” said Flack. “As the next cohort of workers arrives this growing season, our government is ensuring Ontario continues to attract and retain the skills and talent our growing agri-food sector will need.”
Flack added: “This is an important announcement. Without international agri-food workers, we’d be in trouble. They are an important part of what we do.”
In a press release, federal minister of agriculture and agri-food Lawrence MacAulay stated “it’s vitally important that our international agri-food workers have access to support and services while they are in Canada. This program will make a real difference in their lives, help them feel more connected and supported while they contribute so much to our agricultural sector.”
Known as the IAW Welcoming Communities Initiative, the program intake will be open from Oct. 8 to Nov. 19.
Successful applicants may receive up to 75 per cent in cost-share funding per application, up to a maximum of $100,000.
Carolyn Warkentin, SECC executive director, said the collaboration will help people get the services they need.
“Partnerships are at the heart of everything we do,” she said. “We’re very excited to see this investment from the federal and provincial governments to provide additional assistance to agri-food workers,” she said. “This funding will help organizations like SECC to continue its work with temporary foreign workers through language classes and providing affordable transportation to access community service.”
Richard Lee, executive director of the Ontario Greenhouse Vegetable Growers, added that sector relies heavily on international agricultural worker to provide labour that promotes domestic food security. "This funding announcement will help our communities to enhance valuable programming that recognizes workers for their untiring contributions supporting greenhouse vegetable farming in Ontario,” said Lee.
Investment of $1.5 million made to attract and retain international agri-food workers
By Ron Giofu
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