A two-year labour coordination initiative has been launched by the BC Fruit Growers’ Association, BC Cherry Association, BC Wine Grape Council and BC Grapegrowers’ Association. Together, they are advancing shared solutions for workforce recruitment, retention and sustainability, with the BC Fruit Growers’ Association (BCFGA) hosting the project on behalf of the partnership.

A dedicated steering committee, with representatives from each organization and extensive experience in labour and workforce issues, will guide the projects’ priorities and implementation. The initiative includes the hiring of a shared regional labour coordinator, marking the first time the tree fruit and wine grape sectors have formally partnered on coordinated labour workforce planning and policy. 

“This project represents a turning point for our industries,” said Rebecca Mikulic, regional labour project committee member. “Farmers across our regions are facing the same workforce pressures. This partnership allows us to work together on tangible solutions that support farms, workers, and long-term sustainability.”

The project will focus on developing a long-term, region-specific labour strategy for BC Interior horticulture while advancing initiatives to address key challenges, including worker attraction and retention, housing, and workforce coordination. In 2024, the sector partnered with Kwantlen Polytechnic University’s Institute for Sustainable Food Systems to examine the domestic labour landscape in the Okanagan. That research identified persistent barriers to recruiting and retaining domestic workers and outlined 35 recommendations for industry and government. The new Regional Labour Coordination Project will help turn those recommendations into action. 

The regional labour coordinator will be dedicated to driving research-informed policy development and stakeholder engagement to the end of 2027. The role fills a long-identified gap in regional capacity to coordinate labour planning tailored to the Interior Horticulture Sector. While tree fruit and wine grapes operate on different growing calendars, both sectors rely on overlapping labour pools and face similar systemic constraints. By working together, industry leaders believe they can increase their collective influence, reduce duplication of effort, and improve outcomes for both employers and workers. 

“This collaboration recognizes that labour challenges don’t stop at commodity lines,” said Erin Carlson, regional labour project committee chair. “A coordinated approach gives our sectors a stronger voice and a better chance to create meaningful lasting change.” The Regional Labour Coordination Project is funded by the Government of British Columbia through programs delivered by the Investment Agriculture Foundation of BC.


Source: BC Fruit Growers’ Association June 29, 2026 news release