Immigration - Discussing Non-Partisan Solutions

BACKGROUNDER
HIRING FOREIGN AGRICULTURAL WORKERS IN CANADA

Seasonal Agricultural Workers Program

The Seasonal Agricultural Workers Program (SAWP) allows for the organized entry of foreign workers to work in agricultural labourer occupations in Canada. The SAWP is managed by Human Resources and Skills Development Canada (HRSDC) and Citizenship and Immigration Canada (CIC) in cooperation with agricultural producers and a number of foreign countries. Under bilateral arrangements reached in 1974 between Canada and Mexico, the demand-driven SAWP responds to requests from employers to offset labour shortfalls.

The program allows for the entry of foreign workers to meet the temporary seasonal needs of Canadian agricultural producers during peak harvesting and planting periods, when there are traditionally shortages of qualified Canadian workers. HRSDC and CIC carefully balance these types of job offers with the employers' comprehensive efforts to hire Canadians and the well-being of the foreign workers in Canada.

More specifically, before being allowed to hire foreign agricultural workers, the employer must demonstrate advertisement and recruitment efforts, and agree to a number of additional requirements that favour the hiring of Canadians. Under the terms of the SAWP, foreign workers receive wages commensurate with those of Canadian workers, employer-paid international airfare, subsidized accommodations, as well as health and medical benefits.

The SAWP currently operates in Alberta, Saskatchewan, Manitoba, Ontario, Quebec, New Brunswick, Nova Scotia and Prince Edward Island, and meets the needs of specific agricultural commodity sectors.

It is expected that being able to hire Mexican labourers will allow BC agricultural employers to increase revenues and reduce wasted produce that cannot be harvested if Canadian agricultural workers are not available.

HIRING STEPS :

Employers hiring agricultural foreign workers must :

1. Contact the HRSDC Foreign Worker office responsible for your area.


** Please contact your local office for an application form and related information.

2. Complete a human resources plan eight weeks before the work starts explaining your efforts to find Canadian workers.
* Learn more about the HRSDC assessment criteria and what is expected from employers, noting that a Quebec Acceptance Certificate (CAQ) issued by the province is also required for jobs in Quebec.

3. Be prepared to fill a SAWP employer-employee contract.

4. Once HRSDC has approved your job offer, you and the two non-profit organizations will receive a copy of the HRSDC confirmation.

Next, the foreign countries (Mexico and Caribbean) recruit the agricultural workers.
5. The foreign workers are helped by their respective foreign governments and apply for work permits from CIC. Please note that the employment contract must be signed by both you and the foreign worker before CIC will issue a work permit.

Next, CIC issues a work permit for no more than 8 months as long as the foreign worker meets all other CIC criteria for working and residing temporarily in Canada .

But the "illegals" wouldn't have those jobs if the unemployed were prepared to do them.

So, Fox. You don't want to let them immigrate?

Trying to make sure I know your complete stance.

Is there a reason that both systems - work visas, and immigration - couldn't work in the U.S., as they do in other countries?

The Border Patrol has recently estimated that approximately 1,000,000 cross our borders, illegally, per month.

Yes, per month.

Likely my failing. I've read more than a few of your posts--but did leave, and should have read back, rather than be lazy and ask.

The main theme I've seen in your posts is advocating temporary work visas, and criticising the current US immigration policy.

But, I'll read back.

Pardon.

ehBeth wrote:

Is there a reason that both systems - work visas, and immigration - couldn't work in the U.S., as they do in other countries?

I can't think of another country that has a comparable problem. The Border Patrol has recently estimated that approximately 1,000,000 cross our borders, illegally, per month.

Yes, per month.

I don't feel at odds with you, at all-- this is a great thread and I hope others will return with their opinions on the points that have been discussed.

I do have a different opinion than you do about the rules you would set for immigrants.

I didn't imagine we would all agree on each point.

You seem to be a little testy in my direction today--and that's OK. I'll vacate the thread for a few days, since it's yours.

No problem.

Hasta la vista.

Is there a reason that both systems - work visas, and immigration - couldn't work in the U.S., as they do in other countries?