Canada Announces New Measures to Address Misuse and Fraud in Temporary Foreign Worker Program

August 27 :
In an effort to reduce instances of fraud and abuse within the Temporary Foreign Worker (TFW) program, the Canadian federal government has announced new policies that would give preference to employing Canadians with the necessary skills. Randy Boissonnault, the Minister of Employment, announced the proposal. As a result, 65,000 fewer foreign nationals will be required to work in the country on a temporary basis.

Following a report by UN investigator Tomoya Obokata describing the country's temporary foreign worker program as a "breeding ground for contemporary forms of slavery," this development has occurred. At a news conference on August 21, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau stated that the country has reduced its reliance on temporary foreign labor.

Canadian companies should stop relying on cheap immigrant labour and instead put their money into training and technology. According to Trudeau, it's unfair to both the Canadians who are having trouble finding work and the temporary foreign workers, some of whom are abused and exploited.

Part of the new policies is that cities with a six percent or greater unemployment rate will no longer be able to apply for low-wage international labor. There will also be a cap of 10% for companies who use the TFW program to fill open positions. Workers working under the low-wage stream will have their maximum duration cut from two years to one year. Nonetheless, there will be loopholes for both seasonal and non-seasonal work in vital industries like healthcare, construction, and food security.

On September 26th, these modifications will be implemented. It is expected that additional modifications will need to be made later this fall as the government reviews the higher wage streams of temporary workers, unemployment rates, and other factors over the next 90 days.