Canada and the rest of the world endured a year like no other in 2020 due to the coronavirus pandemic, and immigration was severely impacted. Travel restrictions and the closure of the Canada-U.S. border meant newcomers were reduced to a trickle from March, with numbers of new permanent residents way below federal government projections. Exemptions
Temporary workers from Trinidad & Tobago stranded in Canada due to COVID-19 restrictions in their country have been given access to open work permits. A temporary public policy, in effect until February 12, 2021, allows the agricultural workers to apply for temporary status and get a six-month open work permit. The step makes them eligible
Changes to the temporary foreign worker program as put forth by Employment Minister Jason Kenney are drawing severe criticism from Maritime labour ministers who are concerned that lobster and seafood industry will be dramatically affected. The ministers draw a comparison of the fishery to the agriculture industry, which is allowed to employ the temporary workers.