Federal Labour Minister, Patty Hajdu and National Defence Minister, Harjit Sajjan visited with members of the Okanagan farming community on Friday, including the BC Fruit Growers Association and the BC Agriculture Council.
Canadian producers want the process of securing temporary foreign farm workers sped up so that thousands of workers aren't held in limbo, waiting for work VISAs, when farmers need them.
“I’m hopeful and confident that whatever deficiencies exist, and there’s a number of them, will be resolved and we can make sure our farmers get the labour they need to deliver this fruit to other markets because, without it, it’s just not gonna happen,” says Kelowna-Lake Country MP, Stephen Fuhr, who was also on hand for the discussion. “I think we moved the yardsticks, in terms of a will to get it done. They certainly understand the problem and now I’m just going to monitor to make sure we get the job done.”
Fuhr says no specific promises were made during Friday's meeting but the ministers are taking the issue seriously, “Minister Hajdu brought her key policy folks. These are the guys that are actually going to be tweaking or adjusting policy to meet the concerns of the (farmers).”
The farmers aren’t the only ones who would benefit from a speedier process. There’s the consumer benefit that comes from increased quantity and quality that’s yielded with on-time workers. The foreign labour force also doesn’t want to be stuck waiting in their home country.
“Some of the issues, to be fair, are on our side and some of them are on the other side,” explains Fuhr. “There’s 13 countries involved in seasonal agricultural workers. Where there’s deficiencies in their (policy), it’s going to be a function of clear communication because everyone wants the same thing…It’s in their best interest to make it work, for Mexico or any other place that’s sending workers, and it’s in our best interest to make it work. That will come down to communications and relationships, which I think we have. Now it’s just a function of physically creating policy that will be beneficial for the farmer.”