TORONTO: Canada is reducing by tens of thousands the number of temporary foreign workers it brings in, reversing some expansions to the programme it made in 2022 as the govt struggles to cut down numbers of temporary residents.
The temporary foreign worker programme brings non-Canadians to the country to work on a short-term basis. Meant to fill labour shortages, it has grown dramatically and has come under fire for suppressing wages and leaving workers vulnerable to abuse, in part because of permits that tie workers to employers.
PM Justin Trudeau said his cabinet is also considering reductions to permanent resident streams. He has been lagging in polls ahead of an election expected next year as a growing share of Canadians say Canada is bringing in too many immigrants. “Canada remains a place that is positive in its support for immigration, but also responsible in the way we integrate and make sure there’s pathways to success for everyone who comes to Canada,” he said Monday, adding that the govt will present a broader plan on immigration levels this fall.
The govt has pledged more steps to reduce the temporary resident population to 5% of Canada’s total population in three years. Its share was 6.8% in April. Changes announced Monday would end low-wage temporary foreign workers in communities with unemployment at 6% or higher, reduce the share of employers’ workforces that can be low-wage temporary foreign workers to 10% and reduce the length of a low-wage temporary foreign worker permit to one year from two. The changes exempt certain sectors including agriculture, food processing, construction and healthcare.
Combined with earlier changes, the steps are expected to cut the number of temporary foreign workers by 65,000, employment minister Randy Boissonnault said.
The temporary foreign worker programme brings non-Canadians to the country to work on a short-term basis. Meant to fill labour shortages, it has grown dramatically and has come under fire for suppressing wages and leaving workers vulnerable to abuse, in part because of permits that tie workers to employers.
PM Justin Trudeau said his cabinet is also considering reductions to permanent resident streams. He has been lagging in polls ahead of an election expected next year as a growing share of Canadians say Canada is bringing in too many immigrants. “Canada remains a place that is positive in its support for immigration, but also responsible in the way we integrate and make sure there’s pathways to success for everyone who comes to Canada,” he said Monday, adding that the govt will present a broader plan on immigration levels this fall.
The govt has pledged more steps to reduce the temporary resident population to 5% of Canada’s total population in three years. Its share was 6.8% in April. Changes announced Monday would end low-wage temporary foreign workers in communities with unemployment at 6% or higher, reduce the share of employers’ workforces that can be low-wage temporary foreign workers to 10% and reduce the length of a low-wage temporary foreign worker permit to one year from two. The changes exempt certain sectors including agriculture, food processing, construction and healthcare.
Combined with earlier changes, the steps are expected to cut the number of temporary foreign workers by 65,000, employment minister Randy Boissonnault said.