1. Seasonal Agricultural Workers Program (PTAT) Mexico - Canada

2. Background In 1974 a Memorandum of Understanding was signed in Ottawa.
In 1973 negotiations between the two governments to achieve an agreement in order to allow seasonal mobility of Mexican workers to Canada were initiated.
In 1974 a Memorandum of Understanding was signed in Ottawa. .

3. Legal Framework The Canadian government:
Regulate the admission of workers
Inform about the number of workers requested
Issue the work permits
The Mexican government:
Recruit and select the workers
Handles personal documents for workers
Transmit worker data and arrival dates to Canada

4. Secretariats Involved
Secretariat of Labor
Secretariat of Foreign Relations
Secretariat of Gobernación (Interior Ministry)
Secretariat of Health

5. Program Requirements Mexican Nationals Age (22 to 45) Good health
Occupation (experienced agricultural workers)
Educational level
Marital status
Rural inhabitants

6. General Guidelines Length of contract Meals and housing
Salaries and insurances
Transport

7. Types of Workers
Nominal workers (returning to specific farms each year)
Workers of selection (not specified)
Reserve workers (replacement /alternates)

8. Main Sectors
The Mexican labor force is mainly concentrated in the Canadian production of fruits, vegetables and tobacco, as well as in the agricultural packaging plants.

9. New Sectors
Currently both governments are working together in order to develop pilot projects in the tourism and construction sectors in the provinces of Alberta and British Columbia.

10. Statistics ( )

11. Nine Provinces Where the PTAT Operates
As of 2010 there were almost 16,000 participating workers.