Canadian Government Announced Changes To Canada's Temporary Foreign Worker Program (tFWP)

Immigration Minister Marc Miller and Employment Minister Randy Boissonnault have announced changes to Canada's Temporary Foreign Worker Program (TFWP).

During the pandemic, Canada implemented a series of short-term strategies to alleviate labor market challenges. However, the country has now begun reversing these temporary measures.

The Temporary Foreign Worker Program (TFWP) was established to grant work permits to foreign individuals who can address labor shortages in Canada. Canadian businesses seeking to employ foreign workers under the TFWP must submit a Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA) demonstrating the absence of qualified Canadians or permanent residents for the position.

Effective May 1, 2024:

•   New Labour Market Impact Assessments (LMIAs) will be valid for six months (a decrease from 12 months) to ensure accurate labor market needs.
•   All employers identified in the 2022 Workforce Solutions Road Map will have a reduction from 30% to 20% of their total workforce that can come in through the Temporary Foreign Worker Program, under the low wage stream, with an exception for the construction and health care sectors.
•   Employers will need to explore every option before applying for an LMIA — including recruiting asylum seekers with valid work permits here in Canada.