Canada: Further Restrictions for the Temporary Foreign Worker Program  

Key Points  

• Canada will introduce additional restrictions for employers and employees under the Foreign Temporary Worker program beginning September 26, 2024  

Overview  

The government of Canada announced additional restrictions that will go into effect for the Temporary Foreign Worker (TFW) program beginning September 26, 2024. These restrictions include the following:  

• Refusing 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.  
• Reducing the number of employees a company can hire under the TFW program. As a result, employers will be allowed to hire no more than 10% of their workforce through the TFW Program.  
• This maximum employment percentage will be applied to the low-wage stream, a further reduction from the March 2024 reduction.  
• Reducing the maximum period of stay for low-wage stream individuals in the TFW program from two years to one year.  

The government will grant exceptions to these restrictions to seasonal and non-seasonal jobs in food security sectors (primary agriculture, food processing and fish processing), as well as healthcare/caregiving and construction. 

According to the government, these measures aim to reduce fraud under the TFW program.  

Looking Ahead  

Continue to check the government of Canada’s website and Envoy Global’s website for the latest updates and information.