Reform to Temporary Foreign Workers Program

Reforms to the Temporary Foreign Workers Program will limit access to the program and increase penalties and enforcement for noncompliance. These reforms aim to ensure the program is only used as a last resort to meet labour shortages after first considering Canadians for job openings. The reforms include:

• Using wage levels instead of the National Occupational Classification to administer the program
• Requiring employers report the number of Canadians applying for a job and interviewed with an explanation of why Canadians weren’t hired
• Imposing shorter cumulative period during which low-wage temporary foreign workers will be allowed to stay in Canada.