Leading representatives from Canada's agrifood sector converged in Toronto on November 5, 2025, for a landmark forum focused on advancing decent work standards throughout the industry. The event brought together key stakeholders from labour organizations, major employers, and federal government bodies in an unprecedented collaboration.
Building on International Guidelines
The forum was organized following the International Labour Organization's 2023 release of the Decent work guidelines for the agrifood sector. These guidelines specifically call for social dialogue events that bring together employers, government representatives, and labour organizations to discuss and implement decent work principles.
While similar social partner discussions have been common in Europe for years, this approach represents a relatively new development in Canada. The first Canadian forum of this kind was held in May 2025 by UFCW Canada, making the November event part of a growing movement toward structured dialogue in the sector.
Defining Decent Work in Agriculture
According to the International Labour Organization, decent work encompasses the fundamental aspirations of working people. This comprehensive concept includes:
- Productive employment with fair income
- Workplace security and safety
- Opportunities for personal development
- Freedom, equality, and fundamental labour rights
- Freedom of association and collective bargaining
The November 5 forum specifically addressed how these principles apply to Canada's agrifood workforce, from agricultural production to food processing and distribution.
Leadership Perspectives on Worker Justice
UFCW Canada National President Barry Sawyer emphasized the connection between worker welfare and overall food system sustainability. "This forum is an opportunity to bring together all major stakeholders across the food sector to advance an agenda for safe, healthy, and sustainable food systems across the country," Sawyer stated.
He posed a critical question: "How can a food system be safe and healthy if the workers across the system feel insecure, disadvantaged, or disempowered? A sustainable food system must be just for all. A sustainable system must account for food worker justice from field to table if it is to be truly sustainable."
Mark Lauritsen, President of the International Union of Food, Agricultural, Hotel, Restaurant, Catering, Tobacco and Allied Workers' Associations (IUF), framed decent work as a fundamental human rights issue in his opening remarks. "We must approach decent work through the fundamental lens of human rights: every human right has equal value. Devaluing one human right devalues them all," Lauritsen asserted.
He emphasized that "the right to collective bargaining and the right to freedom of association are fundamental human rights," and encouraged participants to approach discussions "not from a place of fear, but a place of hope."
Moving Forward with Social Dialogue
The forum, hosted in conjunction with the IUF, represents a significant step toward establishing ongoing social dialogue in Canada's agrifood sector. By bringing together traditionally separate stakeholders, the event created a platform for addressing complex challenges facing the industry's workforce.
Participants focused on practical strategies for implementing decent work principles across the entire food production chain, recognizing that worker welfare is intrinsically linked to food system sustainability. The discussions marked a commitment to continuing this collaborative approach to addressing labour issues in one of Canada's most vital economic sectors.
