October 27, 2023 – OTTAWA: Food and Beverage Canada (FBC-ABC) welcomes the recent decision to extend the Workforce Solutions Roadmap, a move that brings much-needed relief to companies grappling with persistent labour shortages. This decision, especially the provision allowing food manufacturers to hire up to 30% of their workforce through the Temporary Foreign Worker Program, is a crucial step in securing stability for employers leveraging the program.
FBC-ABC and its members look forward to continuing to collaborate with the Honourable Randy Boissonnault, Minister of Employment, Workforce Development, and Official Languages, to address labour shortages facing our sector and ensure the integrity of the Temporary Foreign Worker Program.
“The Temporary Foreign Worker program is essential to ensure the sustainability of our operations. The government is sending us a signal today that it understands our labour needs and is ready to support us, giving us greater predictability in the months ahead.”
– René Proulx, President and CEO, Exceldor Cooperative
“I appreciate the extension to the TFW program announced by the Minister, as this will provide certainty for the food industry to continue to provide a safe and secure food supply for all Canadians. The requirement to verify foreign workers compensation annually is a welcome addition to the program, ensuring that foreign workers are protected from bad actors, and that employers and employees all have a fair playing field.”
– Robert Eiser, President, Aliments LUDA Foods
Media contact:
Kristina Farrell, FBC-ABC CEO
kristina.farrell@fbc-abc.com