Expanding employment opportunities for young Canadians in agriculture
Farmers know the importance of keeping the land, water and air healthy to sustain their farms from one generation to the next. The Government of Canada is making strategic investments to help farmers and young Canadians adopt innovative practices and develop skills for a cleaner more prosperous Canada.
16 January 2018
3 minute read
By: 
Agriculture and Agri-Food Minister Lawrence MacAulay announced today that the Agricultural Youth Green Jobs Initiative is now taking applications for 2018. Under the initiative, support is available to fund youth internships, both on the farm and with organizations engaged in the agriculture and agri-food sector for activities that are environmentally beneficial to the agriculture sector.
Since the initial launch of the Agricultural Green Jobs Initiative in April 2016 there have been 392 new jobs created nationally. This initiative follows through on the Government of Canada’s commitment made in 2015 to help create good, well-paying jobs and to support young Canadians as they transition into the workforce.
“The overwhelming support and the great success of the program has benefited a number of agricultural businesses and led to more farm employers and young people benefiting from the Agricultural Youth Green Jobs Initiative. The expanded Initiative has provided youth with meaningful work experiences in the agriculture and agri-food sector, while providing benefits to the environment. A win-win for all,” says Lawrence MacAulay Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food.
Quick Facts
- Budget 2017 recognizes that the agriculture and agri-food sector is a key driver of the Canadian economy. Under Canada’s Innovation and Skills Plan, Budget 2017 also commitsto helping young Canadians succeed through measures that help create employment and skills development opportunities under the Youth Employment Strategy (YES).
- In 2015, the Government of Canada committed to creating 5,000 new jobs and opportunities for young Canadians under the renewed Youth Employment Strategy.
- The Agricultural Green Jobs Initiative was announced as a one year program in April of 2016 and then extended for 2 years for 2017-18 and 2018-19 for a total investment of $5.2 million.
- Th e Youth Employment Strategy is a government-wide initiative to help young people,particularly those facing barriers to employment, get the information and gain the skills, work experience and abilities they need to make a successful transition into the labour market.
Ryan Johnson
Ryan worked in conservation from 2008 to 2017, during which time he operated a rainbow trout hatchery and helped to maintain public and protected green spaces in Canada for the Toronto and Region Conservation Authority. As editor of The Poultry Site, he now writes about challenges and opportunities in agriculture across the globe.
