Temporary Foreign Worker Program — Agriculture ### 📋 Eligible Entities - Agricultural employers in Canada with demonstrated labour shortages - Farm operations engaged in primary agriculture (crop production, livestock raising, nursery work) - Employers in one of the four designated agricultural streams - Businesses must be able to demonstrate that qualified Canadian or permanent resident workers are unavailable for the positions - Employers must be in good standing with employment standards and labour regulations ### 💰 Funding Details - Not a direct grant or financial transfer — this is a labour access program, not funding - No matching requirements or repayment obligations - Employers pay standard wages to foreign workers (prevailing wage rates apply) - Employer bears recruitment, processing, and administrative costs - No government financial contribution to wages or operations ### 🛠️ Approved Expenses - Program-Related Costs (Employer Responsibility): - Recruitment and hiring of temporary foreign workers - Processing fees and administrative costs - Wage payments at or above prevailing market rates - Mandatory workplace benefits and protections - Compliance documentation and compliance verification - Not Eligible: The program does not fund capital investments, technology, equipment, or training initiatives ### ⚠️ Conditions & Milestones - Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA): Employer must obtain approval demonstrating Canadian worker recruitment efforts - Wage Compliance: Must pay at least the prevailing wage for the region and occupation - Worker Protections: Employers must provide housing (where applicable), safe working conditions, and comply with all employment standards - Recruitment Obligation: Must actively recruit Canadian workers before hiring foreign workers - Employment Contract: Written job offers must outline terms, duration, and conditions - No Discrimination: Hiring decisions cannot be based on protected grounds - Compliance Monitoring: Subject to government inspections and audits throughout employment period - Duration: Temporary work permits typically issued for seasonal or fixed-term contracts (up to 2 years) - Reporting Requirements: Employers must report on worker retention, wages paid, and workplace conditions