By Jay Chen, Founder of Kungfu Butchers and New Member of the Canadian Meat Council (CMC)
I’m thrilled to be the newest member of the Canadian Meat Council (CMC) and to have had the chance to speak at the recent CMC conference, where we tackled an issue that has become an undeniable crisis in our industry: the workforce shortage. It’s a problem we all recognize, yet effective solutions remain elusive.
The Current Landscape
Since entering the industry in 2018, and focusing specifically on the agri-food sector from 2021, my team and I at Kungfu Butchers have worked with numerous employers and hundreds of candidates, witnessing firsthand the ever-increasing challenge of securing a stable workforce. Currently, a combination of economic shifts, immigration policy changes, and a looming labor shortage is pushing our industry to a breaking point.
In the short term, a weak economy has limited job availability, compounded by a loose immigration policy that, while broad, doesn’t address our specific needs in sectors like meat processing. This dynamic has driven up the unemployment rate, yet, paradoxically, we still lack workers willing to take on challenging roles in meat processing facilities.
A Growing Concern: Long-Term Projections
Looking further ahead, the picture becomes even more concerning. The Bank of Canada recently cut interest rates, signaling an uptick in job availability. However, stricter immigration policies mean fewer foreign workers will enter the country—especially in the industries that need them most. By 2029, the shortage of workers in our sector is projected to more than double, from 63,000 in 2022 to over 130,000. This sharp increase demands action, not only from associations like CMC but also from government bodies, industry leaders, and individuals alike.
Why Foreign Workers Are the Answer
Foreign workers represent a vital solution. For employers, they bring needed skills, dedication, and a willingness to commit. For workers, Canada represents an opportunity. This mutually beneficial dynamic could be our answer, but we need a streamlined, well-supported process to make it work.
The L.E.T.S. Process: A Comprehensive Solution
To tackle this crisis, we propose the L.E.T.S. Process, a model focused on creating a recruitment pipeline that is:
Legal: Ensuring compliance with regulations through a structured, lawful recruitment framework that responsibly addresses labor shortages.
Efficient: Speed is essential; the process streamlines training and work permit applications.
Transparent: A clear, step-by-step approach fosters trust and visibility.
Sustainable: Designed for long-term success, this process seeks to solve the labor shortage in the meat processing industry for GOOD!
Here’s how it works in practice:
Recruit Overseas:
We identify and recruit skilled workers from abroad, ensuring a diverse talent pool to meet industry demands.
Training Locally in Canada:
We’ll build a training program locally, allowing employers to visit and observe candidates in a real workplace setting, ensuring these workers are prepared for their roles quickly and effectively.
Obtaining Work Permit:
With our process, we’ve managed to reduce the work permit application time from the typical 3–4 months to under a month. This shorter timeline makes it feasible for employers to bring in foreign workers without lengthy delays.
Commitment:
Unlike the frequent turnover seen in domestic roles, recruited workers commit to a minimum of two years. This stability is crucial for operations and overall industry sustainability.
Ongoing Support:
Continuous support for both employers and workers fosters a collaborative environment, ensuring long-term success and adaptation to changing needs.
By focusing on these elements, the L.E.T.S. process not only brings skilled workers into the industry but also supports long-term growth and stability for Canada’s meat processing sector.
Government Support: An Essential Component
The government’s role in this process is critical. The current Labor Market Impact Assessment (LMIA) process is costly and time-consuming, deterring many employers from pursuing foreign recruitment. For every worker hired, employers must pay $1,000 just to prove a labor shortage exists—fees that are waived in primary agriculture sectors.
Furthermore, it would be beneficial if the government could support workers’ transition to Canadian residency after fulfilling a year or two of service. This type of conditional support would enhance retention and recognize their contributions.
Join the Kungfu Butchers Pipeline
It’s clear that we need a transparent, legal, sustainable, and efficient recruitment pipeline. That’s what we’re building at Kungfu Butchers. We invite all stakeholders—employers, policymakers, and industry leaders—to join us in addressing this workforce crisis head-on.
Let’s work together to create lasting solutions that support our industry’s growth and stop the labor shortage for GOOD!
Thank you for being part of this journey toward a stronger, more sustainable meat processing industry.
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