The Canada-Caribbean Seasonal Agricultural Workers’ Programme (CCSAWP) Annual Review Meeting was held on 11 November 2025 at St. Kitts & Nevis (SKN).
This meeting is a collaboration between the St. Kitts and Nevis Ministry of Employment & Labour and the Organisation of Eastern Caribbean States (OECS). It serves as a vital platform for policy dialogue and discussion of operational and administrative matters related to the Seasonal Agricultural Workers Program, which aims to deliver mutual benefits for both participating Caribbean nations & Canada.
A political counselor with the High Commissioner of Canada for Barbados and the Eastern Caribbean, Stephanie Sprott, delivered remarks on behalf of the High Commissioner, H. E. Brenda Wills.
Sprott explained that this program is more than a labor mobility initiative.
The Seasonal Agricultural Workers Program has been a cornerstone of Canada-Caribbean cooperation for nearly six decades. This stands as a testament to the enduring partnership between Canada and Caribbean countries. Since its inception, nearly 6 decades back in 1966, it has provided thousands of Caribbean workers with meaningful employment opportunities in Canada’s agricultural sector. This contributed to the economic resilience of both the workers’ families and the Caribbean communities. We deeply valued the contributions of the Canadian workers and the broader diaspora. Their dedication, skills, and resilience have become an integral part of Canada’s social fabric.
The program is more than a labor mobility initiative, as it’s a bridge between the nations. It has been built on mutual respect, shared prosperity, and a commitment to fair & dignified work. It exemplifies the kind of regional partnership that Canada seeks to strengthen among the Caribbean countries. With the election of Prime Minister Mark Carney, Canada is embarking on a new chapter in its foreign policy. It would be a policy focused on strengthening security, boosting economic resilience, and diversifying trade. It would also move with a goal to double non-U.S. exports by the next decade by 2035.
