Canada Increases Wage Requirements for High-Wage Stream of Temporary Foreign Worker Program

The Canadian government has announced a significant adjustment to the Temporary Foreign Worker Program (TFWP), specifically impacting the high-wage stream.

Beginning November 8, workers applying through this stream will need to earn at least 20% above the median wage for their specific role and region to qualify.

According to the changes, this will affect up to 34,000 workers nationwide, with hourly wage increases ranging from $5 to CAD 8.

In addition to the wage increase, the government introduced several other changes:

• A six-month pause on processing Labour Market Impact Assessments (LMIAs) for low-wage positions in metropolitan areas with unemployment rates exceeding 6%.
• Employers will face a 10% cap on hiring through the TFWP.
• The maximum duration of employment for low-wage stream workers has been reduced to one year, down from two years.

These updates aim to ensure fair compensation for temporary foreign workers while addressing labor market needs across the country.