New Reforms for Temporary Foreign Worker Program (TFWP)

June 23, 2014POEA MARKET UPDATE NO. 14-14NEW REFORMS FOR TEMPORARY FOREIGN WORKER PROGRAM (TFWP)The Minister Jason Kenney of Employment and Social Development (ESDC) and Minister Chris Alexander of Citizenship and Immigration Canada (CIC) have made a joint announcement on the comprehensive overhaul of the Temporary Foreign Worker Program (TFWP). With the reforms of the TFWP, the Government of Canada is ending the moratorium that was placed on the food services sector effective immediately. The comprehensive overhaul is being considered as a balanced package of reforms that will ensure the TFWP is used only as intended, as a last and limited resort to fill acute labour shortages on temporary basis when qualified Canadians are not available. By limiting access to the program, tightening the labour market assessment and implementing stronger enforcement with tougher penalties for employers who break the rules, businesses will have to make greater efforts to recruit and train Canadians for available jobs, including increasing wages.To offer greater clarity and transparency, the current TFWP is being reorganized and new International Mobility Programs (IMPs) are...