The Canadian government has announced its plan to phase out certain time-limited measures within the Temporary Foreign Workers (TFW) Programme Workforce Solutions Road Map.
Randy Boissonnault, the Minister of Employment, Workforce Development, and Official Languages, unveiled stricter requirements for employers hiring Nigerians and other foreign nationals for temporary positions.
Starting May 1, 2024, the Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA) validity period will be shortened to six months, thereby narrowing the window for foreigners to apply for work permits.
Furthermore, the country has reduced the cap for low-wage temporary foreign workers in select sectors from 30% to 20%.
Reports indicate that employers must explore all alternatives, such as hiring asylum seekers with valid work permits, before pursuing an LMIA.
Boissonnault emphasized the crucial role of these workers in addressing short-term labor shortages and skill gaps, enhancing the country’s competitiveness, and offering practical experience to foreigners.
Canada mandates that employers reassess the wages of temporary foreign workers to match prevailing rates for their occupation and region.
The nation pledges to prioritize job opportunities for Canadians while safeguarding the rights of temporary foreign workers.
These measures aim to lessen Canada’s reliance on temporary foreign workers and facilitate job vacancy fulfillment by supporting Canadian workers.