Yes, we do support open work permits within the agri-food immigration pilot. We were a bit confused as to why it wasn't included in the criteria. Every plant and farm has a handful of open work permits. We also support them for the vulnerable workers, if they have a problem with the employer. What we want is a strong pathway to PR.
We don't support open work permits for everybody when they come, because they have to work to fill the job vacancy. If we have them going all over when they come, then they would not be filling the job vacancy. We need people to produce our food, so that could be a problem. It would also suppress wages for Canadians.
We support the process. They have to work where they have their contracts. After they get their permanent residency—with the agri-food immigration pilot, for example—then they can go anywhere they want with their valuable experience. We support a strong pathway to permanent residency. It's what we need on the farms so that we continue to produce the food and so that the workers can also learn their skills and get experience through the farms.