In a move aimed at enhancing its ability to meet the demands of its dynamic labor market, Canada has announced significant changes to its Temporary Foreign Worker Program (TFWP). The amendments come as part of the government’s ongoing efforts to ensure that Canada remains competitive on the global stage while also prioritizing the needs of its workforce.
Announcement of Changes by Immigration and Employment Ministers
On 21st March 2024 Immigration Minister Marc Miller and Employment Minister Randy Boissonnault announced changes to Canada’s Temporary Foreign Worker Program (TFWP). These changes will come into effect by May 1st 2024.
The immigration minister stated in the announcement that he has given the immigration department instructions to assess and better connect IRCC programs that bring in temporary foreign worker Program with labor market demands.
Why have the modifications been made?
For an extensive amount of time, the TFWP has been instrumental in resolving labor shortages across the board in the Canadian economy. When suitable Canadian citizens or permanent residents are unavailable to fill a post, it permits Canadian firms to temporarily engage foreign labor. This was most used during the pandemic to fill the labor shortage . But Canada has now started to remove these interim policies.
“The state of the economy has changed since then. Some of these measures are no longer necessary, according to Minister Boissonault, as the gap between unemployment and job openings is shrinking and the labor market is becoming more competitive.
Marc Miller says The evolving global landscape, tightening labor market conditions, and evolving skill needs for the workforce of the future should all be taken into consideration when designing our policies. Further pressing on the fact that Canada seeks to maintain its humanitarian commitments, meet the needs of the labour market, and guarantee that the number of temporary residents entering the nation is at a sustainable level.
Updates affective by 1st May
- To guarantee accurate labor market demands, new Labour Market Impact Assessments (LMIAs) will be valid for six months, down from twelve months.
- With the exception of the construction and healthcare industries, all companies listed in the 2022 Workforce Solutions Road Map will see a decrease in the percentage of their overall workforce that can be hired through the Temporary Foreign Worker Program under the low wage stream, from 30% to 20%.
- Before submitting an LMIA application, employers must consider all of their options, including hiring asylum seekers who have legal work permits in Canada.
- The Canadian government will keep vigilant tabs on the state of the labour market to make sure that the TFW Program meets present economic demands, that Canadians are given preference when applying for jobs, and that the rights of temporary foreign worker Program in Canada are upheld.
- In an effort to convert temporary residents into permanent residents, Miller also declared that they will be holding more domestic immigration lotteries and urged their provincial counterparts to follow suit.
- Employers operating in the agriculture sector are exempt from the new TFWP regulations.
- After discussing with our provincial and territorial counterparts and as part of our annual levels planning, this goal will be decided upon in the fall Canada aims to reduce the number of temporary residents by 5% in the ensuing three years.
Canada’s revised Temporary Foreign Worker Program is a positive start toward keeping the country a top choice for qualified worker Program from throughout the world as it navigates the difficult challenges presented by a changing global economy. By achieving a fair balance between resolving labor shortages and protecting the rights of both domestic and foreign worker program, Canada has demonstrated that it is committed to strengthening and fortifying its economy in the interest of all citizens.
