(File photo/farmnewsNOW Staff)

By Jaryn Vecchio

Workers Needed

Canada’s ag sector looking at potential massive labour shortage

Apr 10, 2023 | 5:00 PM

The country could be in desperate need of more farmers in around ten years time.

That’s according to a new report by the Royal Bank of Canada (RBC) which claims by 2033 there will be a shortage of around 24,000 workers. This is because the average age of a Canadian farmer is around 56 years old.

Bob Reid, who farms in the Smeaton area, told paNOW finding younger people who want to be farmers becomes harder each and every year.

As to why, he believes many of today’s youth don’t have the work ethic.

“It’s too easy to get unemployment, it’s too easy to get benefits and sit and do nothing,” he said. “They’re not hungry, they have no ambition.”

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Because of this, Reid thinks these vacant positions will mostly be filled by foreign workers.

This has already started on his farm as he’s had the same South African man on his payroll since late 2021. He said hiring him and helping his family legally move here was one of the best decisions he’s made as his work ethic is second to none.

“When we’re rolling up a grain bag, he’s out of that truck and right there doing exactly what he’s supposed to do,” he said.

The report also claimed around 40 per cent of farm operators will retire over the next ten years which will create one of the biggest leadership transitions in the country’s history.

It also stated around 66 per cent currently don’t have a succession plan in place.

“The bank wanted me to, but I said I wasn’t ready to face that yet,” added Reid who noted he keeps pushing the decision off as he doesn’t want someone to just sell his farmland.

Kerry Peterson, a Shellbrook area farmer, isn’t surprised to hear that many don’t know what they’re going to do with their land once they retire. He believes something you’ll see in around 10 years’ time are giant farms.

“When a guy quits who doesn’t have someone to take over, it gets spread amongst the other farmers in the area,” he said.

Peterson also mentioned foreign workers should help with the big labour shortage expected, but they most likely won’t be the answer when it comes to operators. He said this is because most people would be reluctant to give their farm to someone they’ve never met before and is just starting to make Canada their new home.

Meanwhile, RBC’s report says foreign workers will only help in the short term.

They believe the country needs to find a way to encourage more domestic workers to choose farming as a career which could include incentives and promoting agricultural education at different colleges and universities.

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Jaryn.Vecchio@pattisonmedia.com

On Twitter: @princealbertnow