The National Farmers Union-Ontario is investigating the causes of and solutions to farm labour conditions across the province.
That includes challenges to training and retaining agricultural workers and new farmers. The study is looking at issues beyond the COVID-19 pandemic which played a role in attracting and retaining labour.
According to the Canadian Agricultural Human Resource Council (CAHRC), 4,400 farm jobs in the province were left unfilled in 2017. And the deficit will grow to over 47,000 by 2029.
The NFU-O says there is little understanding among policy-makers or among Ontario consumers of the often-unique labour issues on small and medium-sized family farms.
And the group adds little has been proposed to meet staffing demands while ensuring commitments to sustainable agriculture and fair labour practices.
