A new report has challenged the argument that Canada’s temporary foreign worker population has declined since changes were made by the previous Conservative government.

While the numbers admitted under the Temporary Foreign Worker Program (TFWP) have certainly fallen, Canada’s other pathways to a work visa have seen their numbers increase, according to the Conference Board of Canada’s “Primer on Canada’s Foreign Workers” report.

Other categories of temporary foreign workers, including the International Mobility Program (IMP), international students, refugees and workers awaiting permanent residence processing, more than make up for the drop in TFWP numbers.

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Source: Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada

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Only 26 per cent of those in Canada on a temporary work permit in 2014 were here through TFWP, the report found.

Between 2014 and 2015, figures show the number of TFWP permits dropped from 94,624 to 73,094. In the same period, while IMP numbers fell from 194,249 to 176,671, they were more than double the TFWP figures.

International student numbers were significantly greater again, increasing from 327,272 in 2014 to 353,262 in 2015.

These numbers show that while the TFWP provides a flowing stream of foreign labour, it makes up a small percentage of Canada’s total foreign worker population. The IMP, formed in 2014 by the previous federal government, is a category for workers who are exempt from the need for a Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA), the tool used to ascertain if a Canadian candidate exists to perform the job in question.

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Source: Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada

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International students previously required a separate work permit, but that is no longer the case provided their course meets some basic requirements.

Strict limitations were placed on TFWP by the Conservatives over high profile abuses of the system. The changes were made to ensure foreign workers were not being brought in to do jobs that qualified Canadians were available for.

Numbers of TFWs were capped at 10 per cent, although the measure was introduced on a sliding scale, starting at 30 per cent and due to reach 10 per cent in July 2016.
But the Liberal government, which came to power in October 2015, held the cap at 20 per cent while it conducted a review into the program.

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Source: Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada

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Now the Liberals are expected to roll back many of the limitations put in place by the Conservatives, with Immigration Minister John McCallum saying he wants to find a middle ground between the old TFWP and the restricted post-2014 version.
McCallum has heard loud and clear that many businesses across Canada have been left with staff shortages as a result of the 2014 restrictions, especially the meat processing, fish processing and tourism industries.

He is also considering whether TFWs should be given a pathway to permanent residence, an idea that we believe appears to be short sighted.

Migrant workers and Canadians alike must be protected against exploitation by employers. However, low-skilled foreign workers who choose to apply to work in Canada must do so knowing that their relocation has a finite term and they will be required to leave afterwards.

For the few who are able to transition to permanent residence under provincial nomination programs, are able to improve their qualifications and meet existing pathways under permanent residence streams. Those who cannot must look to other destinations beyond Canada.

Interested employers: Kindly contact us here to receive further information.

Interested candidates: Find out whether you qualify to Canada by completing our free on-line evaluation. We will provide you with our evaluation within 1-2 business days.

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