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.

B次元官网网址淐OVID-19 has brought into focus for many of us our provinceB次元官网网址檚 food security,B次元官网网址� Popham said May 28. B次元官网网址淚t has shone a bright light on the need for our province to become more self-sufficient, more sustainable and resilient.B次元官网网址�

The jobs go beyond the familiar seasonal fruit picking and other harvesting jobs that urban people hear about.

B次元官网网址淲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,B次元官网网址� 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.

B次元官网网址淏.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,B次元官网网址� said Parm Bains, owner of Westberry Farms, a blueberry producer in the Fraser Valley. B次元官网网址淭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.B次元官网网址�

Farm operators on Vancouver Island and elsewhere in B.C. also noted the unintended effect of OttawaB次元官网网址檚 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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