How the end of a pilot program for migrant food workers might affect your meals
During the pandemic, they were called essential. Migrant workers who packed our meat, picked our produce, and kept grocery shelves stocked. In return, many were offered a pathway to permanent residency through a federal pilot program. Now that option has been taken away.
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Guests:Star reporters Nicholas Keung and Ghada Alsharif
During the pandemic, they were called essential. Migrant workers who packed our meat, picked our produce, and kept grocery shelves stocked. In return, many were offered a pathway to permanent residency through a federal pilot program. Now, that door has quietly closed. The Agri-Food Immigration Pilot is being phased out by the federal government. And with it, thousands of low-wage food workers are once again left in Canada’s continuing cycle of “permanently temporary” immigration. Whywas the program shut down? What does this mean for the people who grow and deliver our food and for Canada’s food supply chain with a trade war with the U.S. looming over it all? Two Star immigration and labour reporters break it down.
Produced by Saba Eitizaz and Paulo Marques
During the pandemic, they were called essential. Migrant workers who packed our meat, picked our produce, and kept grocery shelves stocked. In return, many were offered a pathway to permanent residency through a federal pilot program. Now that option has been taken away.
Saba
Eitizaz is a co-host and producer on the Star’s podcast team.
She is based in Toronto. Follow her on Twitter: .
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