Federal gov. reducing number of temporary foreign workers

According to the Canadian federal government, the Temporary Foreign Worker (TFW) Program has been used to circumvent hiring talented workers in Canada. That is why, earlier this month, Minister Boissonnault brought together business organizations to inform them that the Government of Canada was considering reductions in access to the Program, as well as strengthened compliance measures.

Given current labour market conditions, and to further reduce the reliance of Canadian employers on the Program, Randy Boissonnault, Minister of Employment, Workforce Development and Official Languages, announced today that the Government is taking further action to weed out TFW Program misuse and fraud.

In response to the current employment environment, the following changes will be implemented, effective by September 26, 2024:

• The Government of Canada will refuse to process Labour Market Impact Assessments (LMIAs) in the Low-Wage stream, applicable in census metropolitan areas with an unemployment rate of 6% or higher. Exceptions will be granted for seasonal and non-seasonal jobs in food security sectors (primary agriculture, food processing and fish processing), as well as construction and healthcare;
• Employers will be allowed to hire no more than 10% of their total workforce through the TFW Program. This maximum employment percentage will be applied to the Low-Wage stream and is a further reduction from the March 2024 reduction. Exceptions will be granted for seasonal and non-seasonal jobs in food security sectors (primary agriculture, food processing and fish processing), as well as healthcare and construction; and
• The maximum duration of employment for workers hired through the Low-Wage stream will be reduced to one year (from two years).

The government says employers in Canada have a responsibility to invest in the full range of workers available in this country, such as young people, newcomers, and persons with disabilities. They must also invest in retraining or upskilling to ensure that those they currently employ can adapt to the economy of the future.

The Government of Canada says it will continue to work with businesses and organizations to help them find the workers they need and ensure that Canadian workers have the opportunities they deserve, by providing supports for training and education.

“The Temporary Foreign Worker program was designed to address labour market shortages when qualified Canadians were not able to fill those roles,” says Minister of Employment, Workforce Development and Official Languages, Randy Boissonnault. “Right now, we know that there are more Canadians qualified to fill open positions. The changes we are making today will prioritize Canadians workers and ensures Canadians can trust the program is meeting the needs of our economy.”