Join other Canadians in ensuring locally grown fruits and vegetables remain affordable.
For a half century growers have invited seasonal workers to help provide the large amounts of labour required to grow fresh local produce.
Canada's unemployment rate is the lowest it has been in 40 years. There are not enough Canadians to meet the annual workforce of 80,000 people required during peak growing season.
Seasonal agricultural workers only visit for up to 8 months during growing season and return to their home countries. They don't stay in Canada. Most don't want to.
Seasonal agricultural workers get paid the same as any Canadian would. They pay taxes, contribue to EI, and are entitled to minimum wage.
The Seasonal Agricultural Workers Program has been around for over 50 years. But the federal government is making it harder for local growers to get the workers they need, and operate effectively.
That's putting access to affordable, locally grown fruits and vegetables at risk. Prices for fresh produce could go up, or growers could switch to less labour intensive crops, making imported fruits and vegetables the norm.Watch our videos.