Annual Occupational Caps Lifted for Increased Labour Opportunities
IRCC is additionally planning a series of additional changes to be introduced by the end of the year
Minister Sean Fraser recently announced the removal of annual occupational caps for program participants. Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) believe this action will allow more eligible candidates to apply. IRCC is additionally planning a series of additional changes to be introduced by the end of the year, including:
- Expanded open work permit access. (This is part of the agri-food immigration pilot program and is targeted at participants’ family members, regardless of the candidate’s job skill level)
- Allowing unions to vouch for a candidate’s work experience (as an alternative to employment reference letters)
- Providing applicants in Canada with the option to meet the job offer requirement or the education requirement
- Accepting work experience obtained under open work permits for vulnerable workers
(Please note that details are still in development for the above points.)
This pilot program targets specific occupations and industries, but we are very pleased to see that our industry was included in the mix. To support employers and candidates, annual occupational caps – the limits for how many candidates can apply for a specific occupation under the pilot – have been eliminated, effective immediately. Removing these limits will provide an opportunity for more eligible candidates to apply:
• Annual overall application cap (2,750) remains the same;
• Eligible industries and occupations remain the same;
Eligible industries under the pilot remain the same as follows:
• Meat product manufacturing (NAICS 3116);
• Greenhouse, nursery and floriculture production, including mushroom production
(NAICS 1114);
• Animal production, excluding aquaculture:
For greenhouse, nursery and floriculture production, including mushroom production
NAICS 1114 - Definition (https://ised-isde.canada.ca/app/ixb/cis/summary-sommaire/1114)
This industry group comprises establishments primarily engaged in growing crops of any kind under cover, growing nursery crops and growing flowers. "Under cover" - includes in greenhouses, cold frames, cloth houses, and lath houses. The crops grown are removed at various stages of maturity.
Eligible occupations include:
82030 – Agricultural service contractors and farm supervisors
84120 – Specialized livestock workers and farm machinery operators
85100 – Livestock labourers
85101 – Harvesting labourers
CNLA will continue to monitor and advise on any changes to the program as they develop.
