This communication is intended to provide reminders and information to employers in the Primary Agriculture sector of the Temporary Foreign Worker Program (TFW Program).
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 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 wage rates, whichever is higher.
The next update to the NCL wage tables is scheduled for December 31, 2025. This update will include adjustments based on the Consumer Price Index. Accordingly, wages will increase by 2.00% unless the federal/provincial/territorial minimum wage is higher.
Throughout the year 2026, 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.
Note: Employers hiring workers for positions in Québec under the SAWP or the Agricultural stream must refer to the salary established (French only) by the Ministère de l’Immigration, de la Francisation et de l’Intégration (MIFI), rather than the NCL.
SAWP contract for 2026
The TFW Program SAWP Stream has a standard, non-modifiable contract that is reviewed annually. The SAWP contract does not 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 2026 will be available on the TFW Program’s website in early January 2026.
End of the temporary suspension of the minimum advertising requirements
As indicated in the communiqué sent on December 4 and earlier this summer, effective January 1, 2026, employers submitting LMIA applications for primary agriculture positions will be required to meet all advertising requirements, including providing proof of recruitment efforts to hire Canadians and permanent residents.
You are encouraged to share this communication throughout your respective networks, and with any colleagues or peers who may need to be aware of this information. If you have questions on the TFW Program, please visit Canada.ca or reach out to the Employer Contact Centre.
The Temporary Foreign Worker Program
Employment and Social Development Canada
Thank you for raising awareness among your field agents, as well as the TFWs and their employers, about the measures, rights, and responsibilities of all parties involved.
