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Cam Dahl, General Manager of Manitoba Pork, has always called things as he sees them. From the beginning, Cam has spoken with a rare combination of realism and balance — grounded in both agriculture and broader public policy. His wisdom extends far beyond the barnyard, reaching into the heart of Canada’s immigration and labour challenges.

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In our conversation, Cam explained that Canada’s immigration debate continually revolves around urban problems — housing, rents, and youth unemployment — while rural communities and industries, such as pork production, face the opposite issue: a shortage of people to fill critical jobs.

“The new Canadians that are being brought over into agriculture, into the pork sector specifically, they’re coming here to fill specific jobs,” he said. “They’re not arriving and then looking for a place to live or work, but matched to actual positions that exist.”

He added that this approach does more than sustain farms — it builds entire communities.

“Very often they come with their families,” he said. “In some cases, that means families get to be united and live in the same place. One spouse may work in a barn, while the other may work in a personal care home, daycare, or as a nurse. These newcomers are adding to the community as a whole.”

Cam points to Neepawa as a success story but quickly notes it’s far from the only one.

“We have towns across Manitoba where new Canadians have revitalized communities,” he said. “They fill jobs, start businesses, and keep schools, hospitals, and local services thriving.”

Still, Ottawa’s shifting immigration priorities have raised concern. The federal government, once welcoming record numbers of newcomers, has reversed course. Immigration targets for 2025 dropped nearly 20% from the previous year, and the initial allocation for the Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) was cut in half. Dahl believes these broad changes hurt regions like Manitoba that depend on skilled newcomers.

“I’m hopeful that Manitoba’s numbers will go up,” he said. “The provincial government has been a very strong partner in this, but the difference is stark between the needs of big cities like Montreal and........

© Winnipeg Sun