Food Processing Skills Canada, with Employment and Social Development Canada and partners, conducted a comprehensive labour market study of Canada’s meat processing industry. It used two advanced economic models to project labour supply and demand, an industry first. A survey of 417 respondents covered 75% of the workforce, while 14 regional labour profiles assessed worker availability near plants. Researchers conducted 300+ interviews with industry stakeholders, including Indigenous and immigrant communities. Four roundtables in key provinces explored labour solutions, complemented by case studies from major facilities. Additionally, perceptions research surveyed 2,000+ individuals from underrepresented groups and 1,000+ from the general public to gauge interest in industry jobs. The findings reveal deep insights into regional shortages and strategies for workforce development.
The meat processing industry in Canada is an industry with an export market value of $7.64 billion which accounts for 25% of Canada’s food and beverage exports.
With 60,000 employees and more than 1600 businesses across Canada, the meat processing industry is also an important contributor to the revitalization of rural life in Canada.
78% of employers have recruitment challenges – most severe in British Columbia, Quebec and Ontario.
