BC farms have been working hard to stay safe, an accomplishment AgSafeBC chair Don Dahr says everyone can take credit for. “With more than 24,000 workers in the agriculture subsector in 2019, a reduction in the number of time-lost claims is something everyone of us should be proud of,” he told the association’s annual meeting …
labour
Foreign worker vaccination prioritized
Temporary foreign workers in the agriculture sector are a priority for the second phase of COVID-19 vaccinations, says federal employment minister and Delta MP Carla Qualtrough. The National Advisory Committee on Immunization has recommended the move as part of measures to address COVID-19 among vulnerable populations, including those in congregate housing. “NACI has recommended that …
Growers anxious about labour
While farm workers arriving in BC are exempt from new federal quarantine requirements until March 14, many growers remain concern about their access to labour during the 2021 growing season. A poll of approximately 100 cherry growers who attended the annual general meeting of the BC Cherry Association last week indicated that concern is particularly …
New year, new openness
Growers in BC need to be willing to challenge conventional thinking and practices if they want to take farming to the next level. That’s the message Farm Credit Canada industry relations director Marty Seymour delivered at the Agriculture Excellence conference Farm Management Canada hosted December 8-10. Two of the easiest ways the sector can do this …
SAWP requirements waived
With the scramble for harvest labour continuing across BC, many growers are looking ahead to what the next season holds. To address the issues associated with labour, Ottawa is now accepting applications from employers for seasonal workers required in 2021. The minimum recruitment requirements for several occupations have been waived to improve employers’ access to …
Ottawa announces new rules for foreign workers
BC is awaiting details of federal plans to develop mandatory requirements for seasonal worker accommodations provided by farmers as well as a stronger inspection regime. The initiative of Employment and Social Development Canada was announced July 31 by Employment, Workforce Development and Disability Inclusion minister and Delta MP Carla Qualtrough and federal agriculture minister Marie-Claude …