BCFGA celebrates 60 years of a true Canada–Jamaica agricultural partnership

The British Columbia Fruit Growers’ Association (BCFGA) welcomed the Hon. Pearnel Charles Jr., Jamaica’s minister of labour and social security and a senior Jamaican delegation to the Okanagan on July 28 and 29 to celebrate the 60th anniversary of the Jamaican-Canadian Seasonal Agricultural Worker Program (SAWP). 

The two-day visit recognized the mutually beneficial partnership that has developed between Jamaican workers, Canadian farm employers, communities and governments over six decades. 

The Okanagan program included farm visits and direct conversations with workers and employers, culminating in an Employer and Worker Recognition Reception hosted by the BCFGA in Kelowna on July 28. Minister Charles was joined by the Honourable Lana Popham, BC’s minister of agriculture and food, regional MLAs Gavin Dew, Kristina Loewen and Donegal Wilson, Kelowna Mayor Tom Dyas and several members of City Council; senior staff from the offices of MPs Fuhr and Anderson; and representatives from the governments of Canada and Jamaica, the Jamaican Liaison Service and British Columbia’s agriculture sector. Jamaican workers with 20 or more years of service and Canadian employers with at least 15 years of partnership with Jamaica were recognized for their sustained contributions to the program.