April 17, 2025
The TFW program is crucial to the continued viability and sustainability of the pork sector and across all of agriculture as the pork sector could not exist without these workers. The dedication, hard work, and contributions of TFWs to our industry cannot be overstated. They have not only filled labour gaps but have also integrated seamlessly into our communities, becoming valued members of our workforce.
In terms of the discussion papers, Ontario Pork’s comments are specific to TFWs that are employed year-round, which is the practice in the pork sector as compared to those in other agriculture sectors that employ seasonal workers.
Ontario Pork has several comments regarding the following:
We believe that TFWs should be able to apply for health care benefits as soon as they land in Ontario and that there be no waiting period as it currently the practice under SAWP. There should be no difference between an employee under SAWP or a year-round employee. It is burdensome to employers who employ TFWs year-round to have to apply for OHIP for their employees, or who have to provide other health insurance at the employer cost.
The wages and deductions discussion paper raises many questions regarding how Canadian and TFWs are perceived and treated, in terms of wages provided and housing costs. We understand and support the importance of fairness, but question how many of the proposed TFW program changes will create a sense of unfairness between workers and why it is being proposed that TFW workers be given wage increases that are unreasonable and would in effect pit them against Canadian workers doing the same job but receiving much less in pay.
Also, when determining housing costs, TFWs already receive many benefits over Canadian workers, who are forced to pay market rates for housing. TFW and Canadian workers do not incur the same expenses for housing and transportation; when reviewing wage methodology, we believe that ESDC must take this into consideration. We believe that wage methodology should be streamlined for consistency and compliance, regardless of who the worker is.
March 18, 2025
The TFW program is crucial to the continued viability and sustainability of the pork sector and across all of agriculture as the pork sector could not exist without these workers. The dedication, hard work, and contributions of TFWs to our industry cannot be overstated. They have not only filled labour gaps but have also integrated seamlessly into our communities, becoming valued members of our workforce.
Their presence has enabled pork farms to operate efficiently, meet production demands, and uphold the high standards of animal welfare and food safety that define the pork industry in Ontario. Foreign workers in the pork sector are employed in full-time positions and not on a seasonal basis, filling an ongoing struggle for the sector to find Canadian workers willing to work on farms in rural Ontario, doing labour-intensive jobs.
In terms of the discussion papers, Ontario Pork’s comments are specific to TFWs that are employed year-round, which is the practice in the pork sector as compared to those in other agriculture sectors that employ seasonal workers.
Ontario Pork has several comments regarding the following:
- Housing and transportation options
- Flight booking
- Transportation costs
- Employer coverage of unemployed workers wishing to remain in Canada
November 5, 2024
Foreign workers in the pork sector fill an ongoing struggle for the sector to find Canadian workers willing to work on farms in rural Ontario, doing labour-intensive jobs. The TFW program is crucial to the continued viability and sustainability of the pork sector and across all of agriculture as the pork sector could not exist without these workers. The dedication, hard work, and contributions of TFWs to our industry cannot be overstated.
They have not only filled labour gaps but have also integrated seamlessly into our communities, becoming valued members of our workforce. Their presence has enabled pork farms to operate efficiently, meet production demands, and uphold the high standards of animal welfare and food safety that define the pork industry in Ontario.
Ontario’s pork sector is proud of the respect and exemplary treatment afforded to TFWs in our sector, from fair wages to quality housing, to assistance with community integration. We also understand the continued need for regulations and safeguards to ensure the fair treatment of foreign workers and the integrity of the program, and we are committed to working collaboratively to uphold these standards.
Ontario Pork has several comments regarding the following:
- The move to an open work permit
- Resources, costs incurred by employers and administrative issues:
- Contractual issues
- Impact on farm workplace and animal husbandry
September 5, 2024
The TFW program is crucial to the continued viability and sustainability of the pork sector and across all of agriculture as the pork sector could not exist without these workers. The dedication, hard work, and contributions of TFWs to our industry cannot be overstated. They have not only filled labour gaps but have also integrated seamlessly into our communities, becoming valued members of our workforce.
Their presence has enabled pork farms to operate efficiently, meet production demands, and uphold the high standards of animal welfare and food safety that define the pork industry in Ontario. Foreign workers in the pork sector are employed in full-time positions and not on a seasonal basis, filling an ongoing struggle for the sector to find Canadian workers willing to work on farms in rural Ontario, doing labour-intensive jobs.
Ontario Pork supports the 12 proposed requirements as the provision of clean, safe and adequate housing is a key component of ensuring that any foreign worker feels safe, supported, and respected. The pork sector has an outstanding compliance rate with housing and workplace inspections, including prior to the pandemic, during and now. The current program rules help ensure that when a TFW comes to Canada, they have a safe and comfortable place to live and work.
Employers go to extensive efforts to provide accommodations and assistance to employees before and after arrival. While the provision of adequate accommodations is a program requirement, it also in the best interests of the employee and the employer. The requirements are also subject to compliance or unannounced onsite audits at any point in time.
December 22, 2020
Ontario Pork supports the Temporary Foreign Worker Program (TFWP) and believes that producers must be able to continue to utilize TFWs as well as retain Canadian employees, and that any housing accommodations must be fair and not pit one type of employee against another.
Ontario pork producers are proud of their commitment to employee well-being and safety, for both domestic and foreign workers. The provision of clean and adequate housing is a key component of ensuring that any temporary employees can properly complete their jobs and feel safe and respected. The hog sector has an outstanding compliance rate with housing and workplace inspections prior to, as well as during, this ongoing pandemic.
Ontario Pork stressed that pork sector input on the consultation is based on producers that employ TFWs year-round, and utilize residential type housing, as compared to those in other agri-food sectors that employee seasonal growers and use bunk housing.
Ontario Pork also requested further information on the consultation specific to which stream of TFW is being referenced, how proposed requirements were developed and if they are evidence-based and best practices driven. Ontario Pork also questions how the proposed requirements will be impacted by the Federal Housing Standards coming into effect in 2022. Further information can be downloaded below.
July 11, 2019
Ontario Pork does not support the federal government’s proposed TFWP program changes, as we believe that they will further destabilize the Canadian agriculture industry, which is already under assault on issues related to trade, international disease and more. The proposed TFWP changes will remove employer-specific criteria from work permits issued through the program, instead opting for open-sector permitting, which comes with many challenges which have not been addressed.
Read more by downloading Ontario Pork’s submissions, found below.
