Canada’s Temporary Foreign Worker Program (TFWP) is undergoing significant changes, announced by Immigration Minister Marc Miller and Employment Minister Randy Boissonnault at a recent press conference.
The TFWP aims to address labor shortages by allowing Canadian employers to hire foreign workers for temporary jobs when qualified Canadians or permanent residents are unavailable.
Rolling Back Pandemic Measures
During the pandemic, temporary measures were introduced to ease labor market pressures, such as extending the validity period of Labour Market Impact Assessments (LMIAs) to 12 months. However, as the economy recovers, Minister Boissonnault has stressed the need to revert these measures.
Starting May 1st, 2024, the LMIA validity period will return to 6 months, with exceptions for employers under the Recognized Employer Pilot program.
Changes in Cap on Low-Wage Workers
In 2022, the cap on low-wage TFWP workers was temporarily increased from 20% to 30% for select sectors.
From May 1st, 2024, only the construction and healthcare sectors will retain this higher cap, while exemptions for the agriculture sector and seasonal employers will remain unchanged.
Context of Immigration System
Minister Miller highlighted the broader context of these changes within Canada’s immigration system. Temporary residents currently make up 6.2% of the population, and the government aims to reduce this to 5% over the next three years.
This adjustment aligns with Canada’s goal of maintaining a well-managed and sustainable immigration system that meets the country’s needs.
Balancing Labor Market Demands
These modifications underscore Canada’s effort to balance labor market demands with the integrity and sustainability of its immigration framework.
By ensuring that temporary foreign workers are only brought in when necessary and for specific sectors, Canada aims to support its economy while prioritizing opportunities for Canadian workers and residents.