Starting January 2nd, the wage rate for Nursery, sod and greenhouse workers in Alberta has increased to $17.98 per hour (from $17.44) as part of the annual 3.12 increase set to the consume price index. Other changes and updates are below.
Primary Agriculture
Subject to certain criteria, four streams are available to employers to hire temporary foreign workers in the Primary agriculture sector.
Employers should regularly consult the TFW Program’s website to ensure that they are fully aware of and updated on their compliance obligations and the requirements applicable for each stream:
- Seasonal Agricultural Worker Program (SAWP)
- Agricultural Stream
- Low-wage positions in Primary Agriculture
- High-wage positions in Primary Agriculture
Prevailing wages in the SAWP and the Agricultural streams
Employers must provide temporary foreign workers with the same wages and benefits as those provided to Canadian and permanent resident workers in the same occupation.
At all times during the employment period, employers are responsible for adjusting the worker’s wage to ensure that it meets or exceeds the applicable federal/provincial/territorial minimum wage rates in effect or the National Commodity List (NCL) tables rates, whichever is higher.
The next update to the NCL wage tables is scheduled for January 2, 2025. This update will include adjustments based on the Consumer Price Index. Accordingly, wages will increase by 3.12% unless the federal/provincial/territorial minimum wage is higher.
Throughout the year 2025, based on federal/provincial/territorial changes to minimum wage, other updates will be made to the NCL tables. The TFW Program website will be continually updated to reflect these changes, and employers are encouraged to consult it regularly.
SAWP contract for 2025
The TFW Program SAWP Stream has a standard, non-modifiable contract that is reviewed annually. The SAWP contract doesn’t need to be included with the employer’s Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA) application. However, employers are required to keep a copy of the contract signed by both the employer and the worker on file in the event of an inspection. Workers must sign the copy of this contract on or before the first day of work, and employers must provide copies of the contract to the workers in English or French, and Spanish (when applicable). The SAWP contract for 2025 will be available on the TFW Program’s website in early January.
Temporary suspension of the minimum advertising requirements
As of January 12, 2022, and until June 30, 2025, minimum advertising requirements are suspended for employers applying for a LMIA to hire temporary foreign workers for primary agricultural positions.
This means that employers are not required to submit proof of advertisement with their LMIA application; however, they are expected to continue efforts to recruit Canadians and permanent residents, including members of groups who are under-represented in the labour market, such as:
- vulnerable youth,
- Indigenous peoples,
- newcomers to Canada,
- persons with disabilities, and
- asylum seekers with valid work permits.
For inspection purposes, employers must continue to retain records that document evidence of their recruitment efforts.