Resolution

WHEREAS Despite offering competitive wages and other benefits, it is very difficult for Saskatchewan farm operations to attract and retain skilled Canadians to work on their farms; 

WHEREAS A change was recently made to the Saskatchewan Immigrant Nominee Program (SINP) that removed the Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA) exemption for agricultural workers; 

WHEREAS The National Occupational Code (NOC) categorizes general farm workers at the lowest possible skill level (NOC “C”);

WHEREAS Producers must now?complete a federal LMIA before they can hire “NOC-C” farm workers through the SINP; 

BE IT RESOLVED That the?Saskatchewan Ministry of Immigration and Career Training reinstate the General Farm Worker Category to exempt producers from having to complete a Labour Market Impact Assessment before using the Saskatchewan Immigrant Nominee Program to fill full-time vacancies.