Provinces and Ag Canada trying to encourage Canadians to help out.   Ottawa – While more foreign workers are expected to arrive in May, the agrifood sector appears headed for an even greater labour shortfall than originally feared. There were about 11,000 temporary foreign workers (TFWs) in Canada when new travel rules to prevent the spread of COVID -19 went into effect in early April. Since then about 6,600 more have arrived and another 4,300 are expected by the end of April, says a spokesman for Agriculture Minister Marie-Claude Bibeau. “We are expecting a lower number of TFWs will arrive in Canada this year, but the process of getting them here is now steadily underway and we are cautiously optimistic that most farms will be able to get their usual numbers of TFWs. “But given that we are expecting a shortfall and that the sector was already experiencing labour shortages, we are encouraging all Canadians to get involved in the food sector.” So far, Ontario, Alberta and Nova Scotia have launched campaigns to encourage Canadians to work on farms while Quebec and P.E.I. already have them. Agriculture Canada launched on April 22 its Step up to the plate–Help feed Canadians, an online portal to link Canadians with essential food production jobs. It “will make it easier for candidates, including students, to find rewarding jobs in their community, and learn more about the skills and training needed to take on these positions.” The federal government has also announced an extension to the Summer Jobs Program to allow eligible employers to hire youth to work on farms. While this could for now, there is concern in the agrifood sector about what will happen in September when the school resumes. Beth Connery, head of the labour committee of the Canadian Horticulture Council, says Canada doesn't have anyone in Mexico processing visa applications, which could stop any further workers from being approved. The entire situation is “very concerning when you are looking for labour, she said. “Especially for those about to enter their seeding, transplanting and harvesting seasons in the next few weeks.” Annually between 50,000 to 60,000 foreign workers come to Canada to work on farms and in food and fish processing plants. That amounts to more than 60 per cent of all foreign workers entering Canada under the Temporary Foreign Worker Program. Before the pandemic, the food sector was already challenged by significant labour shortages. The agrifood sector has an ongoing job vacancy rate of about 15,000 workers. Janet Krayden, spokesperson for Mushrooms Canada, “We also need help so that our Canadian farm workers needs are prioritized. We have been asking for this for weeks. We would like to see support for essential farm workers for day care because all the schools are closed and this is the primary issue not allowing healthy essential farm workers to continue their job. “We have yet to see Canadian farmers or farm workers prioritized by the federal government in any of the COVID19 emergency measures. This is disappointing to us because it feels like farmers are being ignored because people do not understand that farmers and farm workers are on the front lines of our food supply. We have seen $9 billion for students and millions for sport at the same time that the U.S. has provided $19 billion emergency aid to their farmers. So something doesn't seem right here.” Alex Binkley is a freelance journalist and writes for domestic and international publications about agriculture, food and transportation issues. He's also the author of two science fiction novels with more in the works.