The agricultural sector in Canada faces potential setbacks due to visa processing delays for Mexican temporary foreign workers (TFWs). The delays could affect the timely start of the growing season, potentially leading to increased vegetable prices and financial strain on farms. Catherine Lefebvre, president of the Association of Market Gardeners of Quebec (APMQ), expressed concerns over the impact on plantations, harvests, and income if the workers do not arrive in time.
Approximately 4,500 Mexican workers are expected by mid-June, with a crucial contingent needed in April for harvest preparations. However, many are still without visas, a requirement introduced on February 29, which aligns them with other Mexican citizens seeking entry into Canada. The visa imposition has led to reduced flight bookings and cancellations by Aeromexico for April and May, as reported by an internal newsletter from the Foundation for Companies in Recruitment of Foreign Agricultural Labor (FIRM).
The urgency of the situation is highlighted by the need for workers by mid-April for planting, with asparagus production identified as immediately at risk.
Source: actualnewsmagazine.com