Hon. Robert Black: My question is for the Government Representative.

Senator Gold, on February 15, 2024, the Canadian Agricultural Human Resource Council, or CAHRC, released a new report which outlines that Canada’s agricultural sector is facing a looming crisis with over 100,000 job vacancies projected by 2030. This shortage threatens local food security, economic growth and sustainability of our agricultural sector.

The report emphasizes a crucial role of temporary foreign workers in bridging the gap and also highlights the necessity for long-term solutions to attract and retain workers domestically.

Senator Gold, given the gravity of this situation, can you provide insight into the government’s plans to address the workforce challenges outlined by the CAHRC report and ensure the future viability of our agricultural sector?