Canada Farm Jobs

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Canada Work Visas

The offices of International Experience Canada oversee work visa permits to Canada. Work visa programs change according to country of origin. Canada operates exchange programs with several countries, such as Australia, Ireland, New Zealand, and the U.K. IEC work permits typically approve visiting workers from foreign countries to experience work in Canada while on holiday. The most common type of Canada work visa utilizes a youth mobility arrangement program with other countries.

Travelers to Canada must hold a current passport from the country of origin, and the passport may not expire during the intended stay in Canada. Work visa applicants must hold sufficient funds to survive if work cannot be found as well as funds for a return trip. Canadian immigration officials will verify the funds of all work visa applicants attempting passage to Canada. The primary reason for a working holiday visa must be vacation and not work.

Most Canadian working holiday visa permits allow applicants aged 18 to 35 to access the country; however, some countries of origin limit applicant ages to between 18 and 30 years of age. Canada operates specialty programs with limited numbers for workers over 35. Further documentation or authorization may be necessary to gain admittance to Canada.

While many jobs in Canada require workers to hold a working visa or special permit, Canada makes special allowances for certain professions. Athletes, coaches, performing artists, foreign representatives, news reporters, film and media crews, emergency service providers, public speakers, students working on campus, judges, referees, and other officials, clergy, and several other professions do not require a work permit to temporarily hold employment in Canada. Citizenship and Immigration Canada provides a detailed list of professions exempt from work permits.

International Experience Canada represents the governing body overseeing issuance of temporary work visas and special permits to youths. Work permits issued by International Experience Canada last for up to one year. Applicants seeking permanent residence must apply for naturalization through Citizenship and Immigration Canada.

If applicants want to continue to live in Canada upon completing the duration of a work visa, workers must apply for permanent residence. In order to claim permanent residence in Canada, the applicant must possess fluent communication abilities in either English or French, understand Canadian law, and have lived within Canadian borders for a minimum of three years. Children accompanying parents applying for Canadian citizenship do not need to meet the minimum standards of residence. Canadian naturalization also requires applicants to possess a clean criminal record in accordance with the Canadian Citizenship Act. Upon completing the naturalization process, newly appointed Canadian citizens assume and reserve all rights and responsibilities of full citizens of Canada.

To learn more about a working holiday in Canada, visit the International Experience Canada website.

Canada Agricultural Labour Pool

The “Labour Pool” posts temporary and seasonal harvesting alerts during the season.

See website for current berry/fruit picking and vegetable harvesting jobs.

Agricultural Labour Pool
40303 No 4 Road
Abbotsford, BC
V3G 2S2
CANADA

604-823-6222 office 604-823-6292 Fax

Open Mon. to Fri. 8:30 am to 4:30 pm

Location: North America

Duration: Apr May June July Aug Sept

Job Type: Fruit Picking Agriculture

Website: www.agri-labourpool.com/jobsearchseasonal.aspx

Email: agri-labourpool

Working in Canada

Lands throughout Canada boast fields plentiful of maize, potatoes, beans, squash, and sunflowers. The indigenous populations of Iroquois and Huron people cultivated the land as seen by explorers in the 17th century. In recent years, Canadian land continues to produce agricultural goods, which benefit the residents and economy of the country. The rural landscape remains ideal for fields of grains and oilseeds, cattle, horticulture, and poultry. Although a decline in production of farm-related commodities occurred over the 20th century, the industry still remains an essential element and way of life for inhabitants. Fueled by innovation, agriculture contributes approximately $100 billion CAD per year to the gross domestic product (GDP) of the North American country. Furthermore, Canada employs over 2.2 million workers in the agricultural sector, which roughly accounts for one in eight jobs. Employment hunters locate occupations as migrant workers, animal caretakers, fruit and vegetable pickers, general farm labors, and supervisors.

The Canadian agricultural industry reports around 200,000 farms occupying roughly 160 million acres of terrain. Rapeseed, canola, rye, oats, barley, and alfalfa constitute a list of popularly grown grain crops. Exceeding 240 million bushels of wheat, homesteads utilize the crop to produce abundant harvests in short growing seasons. Horticulture, which includes nursery and floral crops as well as fruits, extends throughout Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, Quebec, and Ontario. Tasty varieties able to grow in the plant hardiness zones of the region, such as apples, strawberries, peaches, and apricots, yield significant revenues for the country. Other popular crop commodities range from grapes and hazelnuts to maple syrup and sugar beets. Livestock numbers continue to rise as well as the corresponding industries of feedlots, meat processing, and animal husbandry. In Canada, approximately 12.7 million cattle, 960,000 dairy cows, 12.6 million pigs, and 94 million broilers dominate the industry.

Canada represents the second largest country in total area and remains situated in northern North America. A majority of citizens, almost 35.8 million, reside in the southern regions of the territory close to the United States border. Boreal forests prevail throughout the country, while the flat prairies in the southwest facilitate agriculture. In the southeast, the Great Lakes run into the St. Lawrence River with prominent lowlands. A diverse climate allows temperatures to vary dramatically. Northern arctic regions and Rocky Mountain areas experience heavy ice and snowfall with subzero temperatures common for large portions of each year. Parts of western Canada maintain semi-arid weather, with Vancouver Island classified as a summer Mediterranean climate. Variations of temperate to subarctic environments result in highs of 82 degrees Fahrenheit in July and lows of -24 degrees Fahrenheit in January.

Whether employed directly in the field or representing goods through agribusiness, aspirants find work readily obtainable in the agricultural industry. Dykman Cattle Company, Tiny Acres Holsteins, and Rosenhill Farm Inc. include facilities routinely seeking to employ dairy farm workers. Like many other cattle and dairy farms, the ranches require at least six months or more of previous experience, the ability to work rotational shifts and evenings, teamwork skills, and fluent English capabilities. The ability to speak French, the second national language in Canada, may benefit future pickers and farmhands when seeking jobs in eastern portions of the country. Laborers traditionally clean barns and pens, feed, milk, and handle large herds. Some farmsteads like Sharon Mushroom Farm in Ontario regularly hire entry-level pickers, with no experience necessary. On average, employees receive hourly wages between $11.00 CAD and $12.00 CAD. Employment benefits range from medical insurance and paid time off to room and board and discounted produce.

Individuals may locate occupations on farms by preparing detailed resumes highlighting past experiences. Hiring practices vary by company. If a candidate decides to apply in person, the individual should request the attention of the hiring manager and remain professional at all times. Resumes should also highlight education and related job skills. Seasonal positions available during warmer growing months remain ideal for migrant workers. Other job titles last year round and offer permanent, full-time opportunities for hardworking team members. Highly educated and trained aspirants regularly secure careers in supervising, marketing, quality management, human resources, and sales.