Canada to Launch New Immigration Stream for Agriculture and Fish Processing Workers
Subheading: IRCC Plans Targeted Labour Program to Address Sector Shortages Following Closure of Agri-Food Pilot
The Government of Canada is moving forward with a new immigration stream aimed at addressing chronic labour shortages in agriculture and fish processing—two critical sectors of the Canadian economy. The initiative, spearheaded by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC), was outlined in its 2025–2026 Departmental Plan released earlier this month.
The upcoming stream is part of a broader policy push to create sector-specific immigration solutions. The agriculture and fish processing sectors, which are consistently short on labour, will benefit from a tailored foreign worker program that could ease hiring for employers while supporting Canada’s food supply chain and economic stability.
Key Features of the New Stream
According to IRCC’s official plan, the upcoming stream will:
- Target foreign labour specifically for agriculture and fish processing
- Include a sector-specific work permit, making it easier for foreign workers to enter and remain in Canada for jobs in these fields
- Potentially expand agreements with partner countries, simplifying recruitment from key international labour markets
The stream is still in development and will undergo policy design and public consultations throughout 2025–2026. IRCC is working closely with Employment and Social Development Canada (ESDC) to ensure the stream aligns with national economic and workforce priorities.
Filling the Gap Left by the Agri-Food Pilot
The timing of this announcement comes in the wake of the closure of the Agri-Food Pilot, a previous immigration program launched in 2020 to offer permanent residency options to workers in select agri-food occupations, such as:
- Meat processing
- Animal production
- Floriculture and greenhouse crop production
The Agri-Food Pilot reached its application cap for 2025 in February and officially closed to new submissions as of February 13. The new stream appears to be a direct response to that closure, aiming to provide a more streamlined and possibly more permanent replacement for the now-expired pilot.
Strategic Focus on Essential Sectors
IRCC’s 2025–2026 Departmental Plan underscores the importance of prioritizing temporary foreign worker applications in essential industries, with agriculture and fish processing highlighted at the top of the list. The new stream aligns with this objective by addressing seasonal and long-term labour needs in these sectors.
The stream may also serve as a model for future sector-specific immigration programs as Canada refines its strategy to better manage temporary resident levels and meet ongoing economic demands.
Looking Ahead
No specific launch date has been provided, but policy work, consultations, and design efforts are expected to continue throughout the current fiscal year. Employers, industry stakeholders, and potential applicants should monitor updates from IRCC and ESDC as further details are released.
This stream could open new pathways for thousands of foreign workers and significantly strengthen Canada’s ability to meet workforce needs in its most essential food production sectors.
For a consultation about Immigration options, reach out to the CAD IMMIGRATION today!
