Changes To The Temporary Foreign Worker Program

Canada Responds To Labour Market Shortage By Giving Facilitation for Foreign Worker Program(FWP)

On April 4, 2022, Canada issued a news release concerning labour shortage in Canada as a step to facilitate Canadian employers’ search for foreign employees. Since the Canadian labour market has a severe labour shortage, Canada will bring temporary foreign workers to fill the vacancies that can not be filled by Canadians. 

“Throughout the pandemic, our government has ensured the safe arrival and priority processing of work permits for temporary foreign workers who were essential in supporting us on the front lines. Now, as we begin to recover from the pandemic and look to fill remaining job vacancies, we will continue to make our Temporary Foreign Worker Program more accessible, efficient and agile to support employers who are looking to staff up and grow their operations.” 

– Minister of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship, Sean Fraser

Main five changes for the Temporary Foreign Worker Program

Canada has announced various measures for the Temporary Foreign Worker Program (TFWP). The main five changes will include three that will start immediately:

• Instead of being valid for 9 months, Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIAs) is going to be valid for 18 months. (LMIAs are documents that prove that the foreign workers in Canada will not have any negative effect on the Canadian labour market).
• Workers with high wages and a global talent stream with two-year employment duration will be three years instead of two. This change will enable foreign workers to be qualified for permanent residency pathways.
• There will be no limit for low-wage positions used by employers in seasonal industries. And the duration of these positions will be maximized from 180 days to 270 days per year.

The other two will be valid from April 30:

• The Temporary Foreign Worker Program for low-wage positions (TFWP) will allow employers of sectors with a shortage of labor to hire up to 30% of their workforce for one year. The eligible seven sectors will include (food manufacturing, wood product manufacturing, furniture and related product manufacturing, accommodation and food services, construction, hospitals, and nursing and residential care facilities). The same applies to other employers but to hire 20% of their workforce.
• In regions with an unemployment rate of 6% or higher, Canada will eliminate the currently used policy which automatically refuses (LMIA) applications for low-wage positions in the sector of accommodations, food services, and retail trade.

“As the needs of Canada’s workforce change, we are adjusting the Temporary Foreign Worker Program to meet them. Our Workforce Solutions Road Map builds on our progress so far to renew, modernize, and improve this program for employers and workers alike. We’ll continue to work with provinces, territories, and other partners to build the strong, skilled workforce Canada needs to support our growing economy.”

– Minister of Employment, Workforce Development and Disability Inclusion, Carla Qualtrough