Canada Targets Agricultural Talent: First-Ever Express Entry Draw for Agri -Food Occupations
First-Ever Express Entry Draw for Agric-Food Occupations
In a significant development in the Canadian immigration landscape, Immigration Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) conducted its inaugural category-based Express Entry draw targeting candidates with expertise in agriculture and agri-food occupations on September 28, 2023. The draw witnessed the issuance of a total of 600 invitations to apply (ITAs), marking a significant step towards addressing the labor needs of Canada’s burgeoning agricultural sector.
To be eligible for consideration in this draw, candidates needed to meet the minimum Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score requirement of 354. This criterion aimed to ensure that individuals with relevant experience and skills in the agriculture and agri-food industry would be selected to contribute to the growth and development of this vital sector.
Details of the draw:
- Total ITAs issued: 600
- Type of draw: Agriculture and agri-food occupations (2023-1)
- Date and time of round: September 28, 2023 at 16:45:09 UTC
- CRS score of lowest-ranked candidate invited: 354
- Tie-breaking rule: June 12, 2023 at 10:23:21 UTC
If more than one candidate has the lowest score, the cut-off is based on the date and time they submitted their Express Entry profiles.
Express Entry Draw for Agric-Food Occupations
The decision to focus on candidates with backgrounds in agriculture and agri-food-related roles, such as agricultural service contractors, farm supervisors, and retail and wholesale butchers, underscores Canada’s commitment to bolstering its agricultural workforce with skilled professionals. This strategic move aims to bridge the talent gap within the industry and facilitate its growth and expansion across the country.
Canada’s agriculture and Agri-food industry have been pivotal to the nation’s economy and global trade. In 2022, this sector achieved remarkable milestones, exporting agricultural and food products valued at nearly $92.8 billion to international markets. This remarkable contribution to Canada’s economy highlights the industry’s significance and its growing need for skilled talent to sustain its momentum.
The September 28 draw marked the third of the week, demonstrating Canada’s commitment to welcoming skilled individuals through various immigration pathways. Just the previous day, on September 27, a draw targeted candidates proficient in the French language, inviting 500 applicants with a minimum CRS score of 472. Furthermore, on September 26, an all-program draw extended invitations to 3,000 candidates, requiring a minimum CRS score of 504.
These recent draws emphasize Canada’s proactive approach to immigration, striving to attract individuals with diverse skill sets and backgrounds to contribute to the country’s economic growth, cultural diversity, and regional development. As the nation continues to evolve its immigration strategies, candidates with experience in agriculture and agri-food occupations can look forward to playing a pivotal role in shaping the future of this vital industry in Canada.
List of Provincial Nominee Program
- Alberta Immigrant Nominee Program
- British Columbia Provincial Nominee Program (BCPNP)
- Manitoba Provincial Nominee Program (MPNP)
- Newfoundland and Labrador Provincial Nominee Program (NLPNP)
- New Brunswick Provincial Nominee Program (NBPNP)
- Nova Scotia Provincial Nominee Program (NSPNP)
- Northwest Territories Nominee Program (NTNP)
- Ontario Immigrant Nominee Program (OINP)
- Prince Edward Island Provincial Nominee Program (PEI PNP)
- Quebec Skilled Workers Program (QSWP)
- Saskatchewan Immigrant Nominee Program (SINP)
- Yukon Nominee Program (YNP)
