Prime Minister Justin Trudeau announced on Monday that the federal government would reduce the number of temporary foreign workers in Canada after unemployment issues were faced by young people and immigrants.
- The government is considering a reduction to the number of permanent residents Canada accepts each year, said Trudeau.
- The major decision was taken after the unemployment rate increased in the country. Trudeau said that those areas with six per cent or higher unemployment areas will not be able to hire low-wage TFWs, with limited exceptions for “food security sectors”.
- Employers will no longer be allowed to hire more than 10 per cent of their total workforce through the TFW program.
- Also, low-wage TFWs will also be limited to one-year contracts, down from the current two. Trudeau also said that he wanted Canadian businesses to invest in training and technology.
- Housing Minister Sean Fraser, who was immigration minister when the TFW regulations were first relaxed in 2022, said clamping down on temporary workers will help alleviate some of the stress on the housing market.
Among people between the ages of 15-24, the unemployment rate is even higher at 13.5 per cent.
According to Employment Minister Randy Boissonnault, the changes announced will reduce the number of low-wage TFWs by about 65,000, bringing the number to pre-pandemic levels.
Meanwhile, Conservative MP Melissa Lantsman, the party’s deputy leader, accused Fraser of ‘breaking’ the country’s immigration system. She said the government’s announcement of curbing TFWs is a sign that it is “walking back the disastrous policies of Sean Fraser.”
According to the government’s immigration plan, published last year, the country is expected to admit about 4,85,000 permanent residents in 2024 and 5,00,000 in both 2025 and 2026.
