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To be clear, these shortages are being experienced across all aspects of this industry, even though the industry brings in approximately 45,000 temporary foreign workers each year, workers who secure Canadian jobs.
The inability to fill job vacancies is the industry's top business risk identified by Canada's farm and food producers. Without being able to fill key positions, farmers are choosing to forgo planting all their fields. They are avoiding labour intensive crops. They are unable to fill orders. They aren't able to take advantage of demand opportunities in new markets. They are opting out of expanding operations, choosing to retire early and opting out of the business altogether. Despite high hopes for the industry, sustainability and growth are currently at risk.
I'll turn it over to Mark Wales, who is the co-chair of our labour task force.