Hiring Apiary Workers in 2026: What Alberta Beekeepers Need to Know

Hiring Seasonal Apiary Workers

Make Sure Your Advertising Covers LMIA Requirements

Beekeepers always make every effort to recruit skilled local apiary workers first. However, when suitable local skilled workers cannot be found to meet seasonal labour needs, a beekeeper may need to apply for an LMIA to hire temporary foreign workers.

When advertising for seasonal apiary workers, beekeepers should make sure their recruitment meets the applicable LMIA advertising requirements from the beginning. By advertising correctly at the outset, you can avoid having to restart the recruitment process or delay your LMIA application.

THE KEY QUESTION IS:

Which LMIA stream would apply if you need to hire a temporary foreign worker?

• Advertising requirements differ depending on whether the position is being filled through SAWP / the Agricultural Stream or the regular Low-Wage Stream.
• BEST PRACTICE: Plan your seasonal apiary advertising so that, if a suitable local worker cannot be found, you already have the recruitment evidence needed to support the appropriate LMIA application.

Alberta Bee News Magazine and ABC online employment classifieds can continue to be used as an industry-specific recruitment method.

Advertising Requirements – A Quick Comparison

For all updates to your employment classified ads, please contact Tom Northcott at tom.northcott@albertabeekeepers.ca

SAWP / AGRICULTURAL STREAM

If your workers are being hired through the Seasonal Agricultural Worker Program (SAWP) or your apiary positions qualify under the Agricultural Stream, the new regular Low-Wage Stream advertising requirements do NOT apply.

REGULAR TFW LOW-WAGE STREAM

The rules are very different if you submit the LMIA through the regular Low-Wage Stream rather than SAWP/Agricultural Stream. This is when the new advertising requirements apply.

Low-Wage advertising now requires:

1. Job bank
2. Youth recruitment. You must demonstrate an effort specifically intended to reach youth aged 15-30. Examples include:
   • youth employment programs
   • schools/colleges
   • youth job boards
   • Job Bank youth resources
   • other platforms that can demonstrate a youth audience
3. Two additional recruitment methods. Each must target a different underrepresented group, such as:
   • Indigenous peoples
   • newcomers to Canada
   • persons with disabilities
   • vulnerable youth
   • asylum claimants with valid work permits
4. Advertising period
   • 8 CONSECUTIVE WEEKS
   • within the 3 months before submitting the LMIA.

At least one required recruitment activity must remain active until Service Canada issues the LMIA decision.

2026 ALBERTA APIARY WAGES

For the Agricultural Stream, ESDC publishes specific agricultural wage rates by commodity. Employers must review and adjust TFW wages when required so they continue to meet or exceed the applicable ESDC agricultural wage table or applicable minimum wage, whichever is higher. Confirm the applicable wage immediately before advertising and again before submitting the LMIA.

Effective June 1, 2026

Reference: https://www.canada.ca/en/employment-social-development/services/foreign-workers/agricultural/agricultural-wages.html#h2.1

REGULAR TFW LOW-WAGE STREAM: How to potentially address the YOUTH requirement

Employers must demonstrate recruitment specifically targeting youth aged 15–30. Possible methods:

• • youth employment programs/services
  • high school, college or post-secondary career centres
  • youth-focused employment websites/resources
  • appropriate targeted online/social media recruitment

Consider including:

• • “Youth aged 15–30 are encouraged to apply.”
  • Important: Keep evidence showing how the recruitment actually targeted/reached youth. Wording in the advertisement alone may not demonstrate targeted recruitment.

How to address UNDERREPRESENTED GROUPS

Use two additional recruitment methods, each targeting a different eligible underrepresented group, such as:

• • Indigenous peoples
  • newcomers to Canada
  • persons with disabilities
  • vulnerable youth

Practical example:

• • Job Bank → required advertisement
  • Youth employment service → youth recruitment
  • Newcomer employment organization → newcomer recruitment
  • Indigenous employment service → Indigenous recruitment
  • Keep emails, screenshots, posting confirmations and other evidence demonstrating that the vacancy was actually provided to the targeted organization/audience.

References and useful links

• ESDC – Agricultural Stream: Recruitment and advertising
• ESDC – Agricultural Stream wage rates by commodity
• ESDC – Low-Wage Stream requirements
• Alberta – Strengthening immigration oversight / Immigration Oversight Act