Ottawa, Ontario boost investment in training, recruitment for agri-food workforce

In time for Ontario Agriculture Week, the provincial and federal governments are teaming up to strengthen the agri-food workforce in the province.

The two governments have launched the Labour Force Management Strategies Initiative, a $4-million investment funded through the Sustainable Canadian Agricultural Partnership (Sustainable CAP).

“As Ontario’s agri-food sector continues to grow, it’s vitally important that folks have skilled workers to get the job done,” said Lawrence MacAulay, federal minister of agriculture and agri-food. “Through the Labour Force Management Strategies Initiative, we can help the sector attract and retain the talent they need.”

The Canadian Agricultural Human Resource Council (CAHRC) previously forecast that the agriculture sector will have about 100,000 unfilled job positions by the year 2030.

Labour Force Management Strategies Initiative

The Labour Force Management Strategies Initiative will help fund job training and new recruitment marketing campaigns, introduce new worker supports such as ridesharing programs and language training and support the planning of on-site amenities and recreational facilities.

Under the program, producers and processors can receive up to 50% in cost-share support per project, up to $40,000. Meanwhile, eligible industry organizations and collaborations between or among businesses can receive up to 50% of their eligible costs, up to $100,000 per project.

“We have heard loud and clear from Ontario’s agribusiness champion processors that continued access to skilled labour is crucial to their long-term growth,” said Rob Flack, Ontario minister of agriculture, food and agribusiness. “We will continue supporting our agribusinesses in recruiting and retaining talent and reinforcing worker skills to sow the seeds of long-term competitiveness.”

Those who are eligible for the program can apply for funding from Oct. 22, 2024 to Nov. 2, 2025.

Oct. 7 to 13, 2024 is Ontario Agriculture Week, and the provincial government is celebrating it by recognizing farmers and agri-food workers.

The initiative builds on the Canadian Agricultural Partnership–funded Ontario Agri-Careers Support Initiative (OACSI) to address agri-food labour challenges. It also supports the Grow Ontario Strategy goals of increasing total agri-food sector employment by 10% by 2032 and attracting international agri-food workers (IAWs).

The Sustainable CAP is a 5-year (2023-2028), $3.5-billion investment by federal, provincial and territorial governments to strengthen competitiveness, innovation, and resiliency of Canada’s agriculture, agri‐food and agri‐based products sector. This includes $1 billion in federal programs and activities and a $2.5 billion commitment that is cost-shared 60% federally and 40% provincially/territorially for programs designed and delivered by the provinces and territories.

Previously, the federal and Ontario governments announced a joint investment of $538,00 through the Sustainable CAP to expand the delivery of mental healthcare services to Ontario’s agricultural workers through its Farmer Wellness Initiative.