Starting January 2nd, the wage rate for Nursery, sod, and greenhouse workers in Alberta has increased to $17.98 per hour (from $17.44) as part of the annual 3.12 increase set to the consumption price index. Other changes and updates are below.
Primary agriculture
Subject to certain criteria, four streams are available to employers to hire temporary foreign workers in the Primary agriculture sector.
Employers should regularly consult the TFW Program's website to ensure that they are fully aware of and updated on their compliance obligations and the requirements applicable for each stream: Seasonal Agricultural Worker Program (SAWP); Agricultural Stream; Low-wage positions in Primary Agriculture; and High-wage positions in Primary Agriculture.
Prevailing wages in the SAWP and the Agricultural streams
Employers must provide temporary foreign workers with the same wages and benefits as those provided to Canadian and permanent resident workers in the same occupation.
At all times during the employment period, employers are responsible for adjusting the worker's wage to ensure that it meets or exceeds the applicable federal/provincial/territorial minimum wage rates in effect or the National Commodity List (NCL) tables rates, whichever is higher.