Not so temporary: Canada making it easier for agriculture employers to retain foreign workers

Under a new program launched Tuesday in Ruthven, Ont., employers won’t have yearly paperwork to maintain their migrant workforce.

Labour Market Impact Assessments (LMIA) are required by employers to prove they have tried but can’t fill a job position with Canadian workers. Currently they are only valid for 12 months.

“These LMIA’s, they can be labour some and any little hiccup can really throw things off,” said Michael Delciancio of DC Farms. “To have it [LMIA] for [a] 36-month period would definitely be beneficial.”

DC Farms produces eggplants and tomatoes in their family owned and operated greenhouses in Essex County.