You'll need to provide the following documents and information along with your application:
Have your documents ready to upload.
A farm labour contractor provides labour to producers in connection with the planting, cultivating or harvesting of agricultural products. Although the workers may work on a variety of farms owned by different producers, they are the employees of the farm labour contractor.
Use this form to apply for a farm labour contractor licence or to renew an existing licence.
You must complete the Farm Labour Contractor exam (PDF, 287.6KB) as part of a farm labour contractor licence application or renewal. You'll need to upload the completed exam as part of the application.
You will also need to have the following documents ready to upload:
New applications require a financial security mailed to:
Employment Standards Branch
PO Box 9570 STN PROV GOVT
Victoria, BC V8W 9K1
If sending by courier (or if a signature is required for delivery):
Employment Standards Branch
200-880 Douglas Street
Victoria, BC V8W 2B7
You can apply now and send your financial security later. Your application will be processed once the security is received.
Renewal applications may require a new calculation.
(Mandatory)
Submit your Farm Labour Contractor application online to reduce processing time. Remember to record your application number.
After you've completed your online application, you'll be instructed on how to pay the non-refundable $150 application fee.
You can pay online using a credit card (Visa, MasterCard or American Express) and reduce processing time. If you choose to pay by phone or with a cheque, you'll need to record your application number.
You can apply by mail, fax or in person using the printable Farm Labour Contractor application form (PDF, 605.6KB).
Each application package is reviewed and assessed to make sure that a contractor will operate in the best interests of workers and producers. If your application package is complete, someone will contact you to schedule an interview. This process can take several weeks.
Farm labour contractors must comply with the Employment Standards Act and Regulation.
Follow the rules. Specific licensing rules include:
Inspections are conducted regularly. The Agriculture Compliance Team visits farms where work is being done to observe operations, interview employees, review records and talk to the farm labour contractor and producer. Visits are not scheduled. Refusing to allow the team to visit could result in being fined $500 to $10,000.
If your licence is not approved
Someone will contact you by phone (and follow up with a letter) to let you know the reasons why. Your financial security will be refunded. Applicants who previously had their licence cancelled may be refused another licence.
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