The Labour Task Force represents Canada’s diversity: all regions and aspects of the agri-food value chain – farmers and industry coming together.  With over 60 Implementation Partners supporting the Agriculture and Agri-Food Workforce Action Plan’s implementation, industry is recognising it can achieve more by working cooperatively to address the important labour issues facing the Canadian agriculture and agri-food industry.

 “The Labour Task Force stresses that it is urgent and essential that this initiative begin immediately as the issues of labour shortage are pervasive, affecting current operational success and damaging to the future health of the industry and the economy” (Workforce Action Plan, p. 8).

The Labour Task Force’s consultative process has identified the need and how to address these labour issues through practical, achievable recommendations, and now the work needs to proceed.  The Task Force put forward two recommendations that meet the immediate and future requirements of our industry:

1.    Increase the Supply of Labour – for skilled and unskilled workers

2.    Improve the Knowledge and Skills – of workers in the industry.

It’s time for action!
Leading the implementation of the Canadian Agriculture and Agri-Food Workforce Action Plan

Overview Canadian Agricultural Human Resource Council
The Canadian Agricultural Human Resource Council (CAHRC) is a national, non-profit organization focused on addressing human resource issues facing agricultural businesses across Canada. It is our aim to fully understand and meet the unique and priority HR and training needs of those within various commodity areas. The Council works with industry leaders, governments and educational stakeholders to research, develop and implement solutions to challenges in employment and skills development in primary agriculture.  We fully serve the agriculture community as the centre for reliable labour market information, and the access point for customizable solutions related to HR management and training.

Workforce Action Plan Background
Agriculture and Agri-Food Workforce Action Plan (WAP). The WAP was developed with extensive research over the last three years by an industry-led Labour Task Force (LTF) made up of representatives from all twelve of the Agriculture and Agri-Food Value Chain Roundtables.  The LTF is a solution-oriented forum made up of industry representatives from across Canada’s agriculture and agri-food sector, which examines issues of agriculture and agri-food labour management and shortages. The WAP initiative is being led by the Canadian Agricultural HR Council to ensure implementation of documented recommendations by the LTF. To date, 60 organizations are confirmed as Implementation Partners, lending support, credibility and a sense of urgency to addressing labour issues for the industry. This stakeholder involvement is enhancing CAHRC’s Labour Market Intelligence function.

Industry Participation
Industry participation is the cornerstone of the Canadian Ag HR Council. Direction and guidance for all activities are provided by a large, nationally representative Board of Directors that includes agricultural leaders within and across various commodity groups. Additionally, all research, project work and product development activities are supported by national stakeholder participation to ensure quality, accuracy and relevance of prepared solutions. Stakeholders include employers, employees, youth, associations, education, and government at regional, provincial and national levels.