Canada: Restrictions to the Temporary Foreign Worker Program

Key Points  

• Canada introduced new changes to the Temporary Foreign Worker program to protect the integrity of its immigration system  

Overview  

The government of Canada will introduce new changes to the Temporary Foreign Worker (TFW) program. These changes include the following:  

• A 10% employer cap on TFWs under the low-wage stream of the TFW program. This will include occupations under the Traitement Simplifié in Quebec. 
  • Exemptions apply to employers seeking to fill roles in the healthcare, construction and food process sectors. A 20% cap will apply to these sectors.  
• All Labour Market Impact Assessments (LMIAs) approved for low-wage stream positions will be limited to a work duration of a maximum of one year. This will include those processed under the Traitement Simplifié, except for occupations under the Primary Agriculture Stream.   
• A Refusal to Process (RTP) policy will apply to all Census Metropolitan Areas (CMAs) with an unemployment rate of over 6%.  
  • Exemptions will apply to employers seeking to fill labor shortages in the healthcare, construction and food processing sectors.
• The CMA unemployment rate information will be updated four times a year, when each financial quarter’s first Labour Force Survey is published. 

Looking Ahead  

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