[Canada] New limits for TFW programme’s low-wage stream

The Canadian government has made further moves toward cleaning up its Temporary Foreign Worker (TFW) programme, HR Reporter reports.

From September 26, Ottawa will refuse to process Labour Market Impact Assessments (LMIAs) in the low-wage stream in census metropolitan areas with an unemployment rate of 6 per cent or higher. 

According to the government, exceptions will be granted for seasonal and non-seasonal jobs in food security sectors (primary agriculture, food processing and fish processing), together with construction and healthcare.

“The Temporary Foreign Worker program was designed to address labour market shortages when qualified Canadians were not able to fill those roles,” Randy Boissonnault - minister of employment, workforce development and official languages - said. “Right now, we know that there are more Canadians qualified to fill open positions. The changes we are making today will prioritize Canadians workers and ensures Canadians can trust the program is meeting the needs of our economy.”

The move reportedly follows criticism from a number of employer groups of the federal government’s decision to halt the acceptance of workers under the low-wage stream of the TFW programme in Montreal. From September 3, the processing of LMIA applications in Montreal will be suspended for six months for job offers with wages below $27.47 per hour.

In addition, from September 26 employers will be allowed to hire no more than 10 per cent of their total workforce through the TFW Program. This maximum employment percentage will be applied to the low-wage stream. 

Exceptions will be granted for seasonal and non-seasonal jobs in food security sectors (primary agriculture, food processing and fish processing), plus healthcare and construction.

Source: HR Reporter

(Quote via original reporting)

The Canadian government has made further moves toward cleaning up its Temporary Foreign Worker (TFW) programme, HR Reporter reports.

From September 26, Ottawa will refuse to process Labour Market Impact Assessments (LMIAs) in the low-wage stream in census metropolitan areas with an unemployment rate of 6 per cent or higher. 

According to the government, exceptions will be granted for seasonal and non-seasonal jobs in food security sectors (primary agriculture, food processing and fish processing), together with construction and healthcare.

“The Temporary Foreign Worker program was designed to address labour market shortages when qualified Canadians were not able to fill those roles,” Randy Boissonnault - minister of employment, workforce development and official languages - said. “Right now, we know that there are more Canadians qualified to fill open positions. The changes we are making today will prioritize Canadians workers and ensures Canadians can trust the program is meeting the needs of our economy.”

The move reportedly follows criticism from a number of employer groups of the federal government’s decision to halt the acceptance of workers under the low-wage stream of the TFW programme in Montreal. From September 3, the processing of LMIA applications in Montreal will be suspended for six months for job offers with wages below $27.47 per hour.

In addition, from September 26 employers will be allowed to hire no more than 10 per cent of their total workforce through the TFW Program. This maximum employment percentage will be applied to the low-wage stream. 

Exceptions will be granted for seasonal and non-seasonal jobs in food security sectors (primary agriculture, food processing and fish processing), plus healthcare and construction.

Source: HR Reporter

(Quote via original reporting)