Union Farmer Newsletter: February 2023
In this issue: Advocating for farmland protection in Ontario Towards a National Agricultural Labour Strategy that works for Farmers and Farm Workers Public transit should not stop at the city Read more
NFU calls for full and permanent status for all migrants!
The National Farmers Union (NFU) stands in solidarity with migrants living, working, and studying in Canada on this International Migrants Day.  Over the past year, the NFU has reiterated and Read more
Towards a National Agricultural Labour Strategy that works for Farmers and Farm Workers
The National Farmers Union (NFU) is uniquely positioned to provide a perspective towards a National Agricultural Labour Strategy that recognizes the common interests of farmers and farm workers and to propose solutions that will increase the economic, social and ecological sustainability of our food and farming system by focusing on improving the conditions and returns to labour. For decades, Canada’s farm numbers have been going down, farm size has been increasing, and more farms have come to rely on hired workers as a consequence. The ongoing loss of farms and the current shortage of farm labour have the same root cause: a cost-price squeeze that results in inadequate returns to the work of farming, whether done by the farm operators or farm workers. Paying high prices for inputs and receiving low prices for commodities results in farmers subsidizing their farms with off-farm jobs, pressure to keep wages to farm workers low, the exit of skilled people from the sector to pursue more remunerative and less precarious sources of income, and a lack of new entrants to replace retiring farmers. Read more
Migrant Workers are Essential and Permanently Needed to Maintain Food Production in Canada
The National Farmers Union (NFU) is optimistically awaiting the Ministry’s proposal to expand the economic immigration stream to allow workers of all skill levels pathways to permanent residency. We were particularly encouraged Read more
The NFU Supports Jamaican Farmworker Calls for Justice
The National Farmers Union (NFU) applauds migrant Jamaican farmworkers for bravely speaking out against the injustices they experience under Canada’s Seasonal Agricultural Worker Program (SAWP). As a national farm organization Read more
International Workers’ Day: NFU Speaks Out Against the Expansion of the Temporary Foreign Worker Program and Calls for Justice for Migrant Workers
On International Workers’ Day, the National Farmers Union is in solidarity with all who contribute their labour to feeding our communities and who collectively struggle for labour justice.   This Read more
Flexible Support— Consistent Income Needed for Farmers to Continue Their Essential Work
The interconnectedness of Canadian farmers’ income security and the climate crisis cannot be denied; yet, neither issue is being addressed with the urgency it warrants. As two young people in Read more
Statement on United Nations International Migrants Day
The National Farmers Union (NFU) stands in solidarity with all migrant workers on International Migrants Day. The NFU calls on the Canadian government to extend permanent residency status to all Read more
Time for Western Premiers to “Do The Right Thing” Regarding Agristability
Swift Current, SK—The National Farmers Union (NFU) is urging the western conservative premiers in Saskatchewan and Alberta to put aside the political posturing and “do the right thing” in order Read more
Manitoba Cattle Farmers Face Rising Costs from Drought & Government
Brandon, MB—Manitoba cattle farmers are facing higher costs and may soon see falling prices.  Farmers may be on the eve of a severe cost-price squeeze. The NFU today sent a Read more