“MINISTER BOISSONNAULT CUTTING DOWN ON TEMPORARY FOREIGN WORKER NUMBERS IN CANADA”
“Effective September 26, 2024, the Government of Canada will stop the
processing of Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA) under the low wage stream in metropolitan areas with an unemployment rate of 6% higher.”
The Temporary Foreign Worker program was originally designed to fill labour gaps when qualified Canadians were not available. Now, with more Canadians ready and able to take on these roles, the Government of Canada will prioritize Canadian workers and ensure that the program better serves the economy.
In response to changing labour market conditions, Minister of Employment, Workforce Development, and Official Languages, Randy Boissonnault, announced today that the Government of Canada is taking additional steps to address misuse and fraud within the program.
Effective September 26, 2024, the following changes will be implemented:
– Restricted LMIA Processing: The Government will no longer process Labour Market Impact Assessments (LMIA) under the Low-Wage stream in census metropolitan areas where the unemployment rate is 6% or higher. Exceptions will be made for seasonal and non-seasonal roles in the food security sectors (which includes agriculture, food processing), and fish processing, as well as in construction and healthcare.
– Limit on Foreign Hires: Employers will be restricted to hiring no more than 10% of their total workforce through the TFW Program, with exceptions for seasonal and non-seasonal positions in food security sectors, construction, and healthcare.
– Reduced Employment Duration: The maximum duration of employment will be reduced to one year.
The Government of Canada is dedicated to supporting businesses and organizations in finding the right talent and providing training and education opportunities for Canadian workers. However, employers in Canada are encouraged to invest in a diverse workforce and enhancing training of current employees to keep up with future economic needs.
In the coming 90 days, a review will be conducted, which may lead to further changes, including modifications to the High-Wage Stream, adjustments to existing LMIA applications, or potential revisions to sectoral exceptions, particularly in rural areas. The government will introduce additional changes as deemed necessary to ensure the program aligns with the nation’s economic needs.
Written by: Rion Scott
