Border disruptions due to the coronavirus pandemic have B.C. facing a shortfall of up to 8,000 temporary foreign workers this year, Agriculture Minister Lana Popham says.
The province has launched a new website that Popham says will provide a one-stop shop for agriculture and food production jobs. The site, , already has 600 positions available as B.C. agriculture moves from the pruning and planting stage toward harvest.
91裸聊视频淐OVID-19 has brought into focus for many of us our province91裸聊视频檚 food security,91裸聊视频� Popham said May 28. 91裸聊视频淚t has shone a bright light on the need for our province to become more self-sufficient, more sustainable and resilient.91裸聊视频�
The jobs go beyond the familiar seasonal fruit picking and other harvesting jobs that urban people hear about.
91裸聊视频淲e have jobs like cherry production line worker in the Okanagan, a tractor operator in Surrey, a dairy farm worker in Black Creek, a farm manager in Creston, a farm supervisor in Quesnel, a fish processing plant worker in North Vancouver, a greenhouse worker in Delta or a berry picker in the Fraser Valley,91裸聊视频� Popham said.
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Berry crops are some of the first to ripen in B.C., and among the most labour intensive to harvest.
91裸聊视频淏.C. berry growers are facing a serious labour shortage this season due to COVID-19, and this website is a good idea to let people know we are hiring and looking for their help,91裸聊视频� said Parm Bains, owner of Westberry Farms, a blueberry producer in the Fraser Valley. 91裸聊视频淭he berry industry urgently needs seasonal workers interested in harvesting and packing jobs. Many farms also have longer-term positions available in field and crop management and quality control.91裸聊视频�
Farm operators on Vancouver Island and elsewhere in B.C. also noted the unintended effect of Ottawa91裸聊视频檚 broad-based and Canadian Emergency Response Benefit. They signed up students for seasonal work and then saw many decline the work once $2,000 a month in temporary benefits became available with few conditions or checks on the connection between unemployment and COVID-19.
tfletcher@blackpress.ca
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