Ottawa to limit low-wage temporary foreign workers in Canada
The federal government is moving to restrict the number of low-wage temporary foreign workers in Canada, with the exception of some sectors.
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau made the announcement on Monday in Halifax, where the Liberal cabinet is meeting for a summer retreat.
“We are tightening the rules and restricting eligibility to reduce the number of low-wage, temporary foreign workers in Canada, with exceptions in certain industries like health care, construction and food security,” Trudeau said.
Starting Sept. 26, the government will refuse applications for low-wage temporary foreign workers in regions with an unemployment rate of six per cent or higher.
For employers, there will be a cap of 10 per cent of employees coming from the low-wage stream of the Temporary Foreign Worker (TFW) Program and a reduction of maximum duration of employment from two years to one, according to the Employment and Social Development Canada.
This comes after Quebec announced last week its own limits of low-wage temporary foreign workers — a six-month freeze in Montreal that will take effect next month.
The Temporary Foreign Worker (TFW) Program allows non-Canadians to work in the country on a temporary basis.
Employment Minister Randy Boissonnault said the program was “designed to address labour market shortages when qualified Canadians were not able to fill those roles.”
“Right now, we know that there are more Canadians qualified to fill open positions,” he said in a statement.
“The changes we are making today will prioritize Canadians workers and ensures Canadians can trust the program is meeting the needs of our economy.”
Canada’s unemployment rate held steady at 6.4 per cent in July after two consecutive monthly increases, according
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