The arrival of foreign workers on farms is beginning in the greater Quebec City region and in Chaudière-Appalaches.
Their conditions of entry into the territory are still subject to strict rules due to the health context, but following two years of the pandemic, both they and their employers have become accustomed to the procedures.
It’s not the big landing yet, but it’s started», announces Yves Laurencelle, president of the Federation of the Union of Producers (UPA) of the Capitale-Nationale–Côte-Nord.
A smooth start that is nothing out of the ordinary. Winter not yet over, snow still resting on the ground in places, the activity in the fields remains to be undertaken.
This year, 1,400 foreign workers are expected in agricultural operations and farms that are affiliated with the federation and which are distributed mainly on Île d’Orléans, and also on the side of Côte-de-Beaupré, Charlevoix, Valcartier , from Portneuf…
The problem of local labor shortage
Currently, 2 to 3% of them are already in Quebec, assigned to work in greenhouses and preparing seedlings. This number of 1400 is a slight increase compared to the previous year, which itself was higher than the year before.
The needs of our producers are growing. Above all, this development illustrates the problem of a shortage of local labour. Our members are unable to recruit locally“, explains Yves Laurencelle.
At the Foundation for Foreign Agricultural Labor Recruitment Companies (FERME) too, the need to hire employees from outside is highlighted.
These workers are essential to the survival of our businesses and our farms. Without them, we might not eat as many Quebec fruits and vegetables», Considers Fernando Borja, the general director of the foundation.
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The procedure for bringing in this seasonal staff is still as cumbersome and restrictive as last year. COVID-19 forces workers to show their credentials.
Our members and also the foreign workers have been in this for two years. It’s not easy, but they know what to expect“, indicates the head of the UPA.
He adds that these Mexicans, these Guatemalans in majority and others (from Algeria, Cuba or Vietnam) prepared their arrival well in advance and accordingly. It is all the more important for them to act as their temporary employment in Quebec allows them to support their families.
Fernando Borja notes that some farmers still have questions regarding the rules to be observed, quarantines or screening tests in particular.
Regarding vaccination, many foreign workers received their two doses in Quebec the previous season. Which makes things easier today. Just like the fact that most of them come back year following year, and on the same farms.
Simplified processing of requests to the authorities
This time once more, Guy Pouliot, co-owner of Ferme Onésime Pouliot in Saint-Jean-de-l’Île-d’Orléans, called on his regulars in addition to recruiting a few new ones.
There are some who have retired and I need to expand some teams“, he confides. Which will make him 282 pairs of arms for his crops of strawberries, raspberries and the nursery.
© / Radio-Canada
Guy Pouliot of the Onésime Pouliot farm on Île d’Orléans will hire nearly 300 foreign workers this season to harvest his strawberries and raspberries.
The producer admits having had concerns last fall. Service Canada was behind in processing applications. But they made up for it well.»
As for the steps to be taken with foreign authorities, that has nothing to do with what he experienced. Where it took eight weeks with Mexico, it takes eight days now. They eliminated the paper. Everything is done online. It goes much faster.»
In the spring of 2020, because of the pandemic, Guy Pouliot wondered if his seasonal workers would be able to come. In the spring of 2021, given the red tape, he wondered when they would come. This year, it’s going well.»
It remains to be seen whether the weather conditions will be conducive to good harvests. Mother Nature is never stingy with good (or bad) surprises. She likes to remain unpredictable.
