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Human Resources and Skills Development Canada

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Seasonal Agricultural Worker Program (SAWP) Requirements in Ontario

Human Resources and Skills Development Canada (HRSDC)/Service Canada officers will review the information you provided, or a non-profit organization or third-party representative acting on your behalf, to make sure you meet the SAWP eligibility criteria. You must meet these criteria before you can hire temporary foreign workers under SAWP. How these criteria are applied may vary from province to province. The following information is specific to Ontario.

Please consult the National List of Commodities and Wage Rates for the Seasonal Agricultural Worker Program and the Agricultural Stream of the Pilot Project for Occupations Requiring Lower Levels of Formal Training (NOC C and D).

Health Coverage

The waiting period for public health coverage is waived for SAWP workers who hold a work permit valid for at least 6 months.

Mexican workers: The private insurer for Mexican workers is Great West Life Insurance. The 2012 wage deductible premium per day per worker is $0.94. For further information, contact your Service Canada Centre.

Caribbean workers: No action is required. Medical insurance is paid for through a 25% wage deduction that covers administration fees and a mandatory personal savings fund.

Payroll Deductions

Required/Allowed

  • Employment Insurance Contributions
  • Canada Pension Plan Contributions
  • Income Tax Deductions
  • RBC Insurance Premiums
  • 25% Administration and Savings Fund fee
  • Portion of Transportation Costs

Not Allowed

  • Cost of Housing
  • Recruitment Costs
  • All Other Costs

For more information:

Canada Pension Plan and Income Tax

Employment Insurance

Provincial Employment Standards

Workers’ Compensation

Return to Hiring Foreign Agricultural Workers in Canada

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Date Modified:
2012-02-10