UPCOMING CHANGES TO TEMP. FOREIGN WORKER PROGRAM

The validity period of a Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA) will be temporarily increased from 9 to 18 months.

The maximum length of work permits available under GTS LMIAs (tech workers) or High-Wage Stream LMIAs has been increased from two years to three years.

Rules for Low-Wage Stream LMIAs have been relaxed to help sectors such as agriculture, food production, tourism, food services, retail and manufacturing address labour shortages.

The 10 per cent cap on the proportion of low-wage foreign workers that can be hired at a location has been increased to 20 per cent. 

30 per cent for employers in Food Manufacturing, Wood Product Manufacturing, Furniture and Related Product Manufacturing, Accommodation and Food Services, Construction, Hospitals and Nursing and Residential Care Facilities.

The Seasonal Industry Cap Exemption is now permanent and will allow seasonal employers to hire Low-Wage stream foreign workers for up to 270 days without needing to consider the cap.

ESDC will no longer refuse to process Low-Wage stream LMIAs for Accommodation and Food Service or Retail Trade employers located in a region with an unemployment rate of six per cent or higher.

Unique PGWP Extension Policy - PGWP holders who are in Canada and have a PGWP expiring between January and December 2022 will qualify for an additional open work permit of up to 18 months. 

Visitors inside Canada can apply for Work Permits - public policy allowing some visitors in Canada to apply for a work permit from within Canada has been extended to Feb. 28, 2023. 

IRCC intends to bring in further measures to protect foreign workers, focusing on employer compliance.

Quotes

“As the needs of Canada’s workforce change, we are adjusting the Temporary Foreign Worker Program to meet them. Our Workforce Solutions Road Map builds on our progress so far to renew, modernize, and improve this program for employers and workers alike. We’ll continue to work with provinces, territories, and other partners to build the strong, skilled workforce Canada needs to support our growing economy.”

– Minister of Employment, Workforce Development and Disability Inclusion, Carla Qualtrough

“Throughout the pandemic, our government has ensured the safe arrival and priority processing of work permits for temporary foreign workers who were essential in supporting us on the front lines. Now, as we begin to recover from the pandemic and look to fill remaining job vacancies, we will continue to make our Temporary Foreign Worker Program more accessible, efficient and agile to support employers who are looking to staff up and grow their operations.” 

– Minister of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship, Sean Fraser