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The Temporary Foreign Worker Program In Canada: An In-Depth Overview
By : Lifeincan   |   Jul 30, 2024

The Temporary Foreign Worker Program In Canada: An In-Depth Overview

The TFW program in Canada enables employers to hire foreign workers to meet their temporary labor demands since no Canadians are willing to do the work. It is very important in solving the skills and labour mismatches in Canada across all sectors of the economy. It is governed by the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act and implemented by the Employment and Social Development Canada (ESDC) with support from the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) and the Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC).

Advantages Of Working In Canada As A Temporary Worker

Temporary foreign workers while working in Canada are exposed to numerous privileges that go beyond the wages they earn. The first and one of the most prominent is the chance to get some valuable work experience within Canadian companies. This also helps in updating one’s CV and also improves one’s chances of getting an immigrant visa in the country.

The following are the benefits that one can get from having Canadian work experience:

  • Enhanced Resume: Canadian work experience is very important and can greatly enhance your chances of getting a job.

  • Pathway to Permanent Residency: Most immigration systems like the Provincial Nominee Programs (PNPs) often target persons who have worked in the local economy.

  • Understanding Local Market: Understanding the Canadian workplace culture and practices gives the firm information on the local employment market.

  • Professional Networking: It is beneficial to work with Canadian counterparts as it allows you to build your connections and find contacts in your field.

Access To Quality Services

The living conditions in Canada are relatively good, and the people are provided with good health and medical facilities, education, and other social amenities. Temporary workers and their family members may receive some benefits, such as health care under the type of work permit they have and the province they live in. These benefits help in enhancing your health and give you a sense of relief while you are in Canada.

Temporary Foreign Worker Program Streams Overview

Stream

Description

Wage Criteria

Examples of Occupations

High-Wage Worker Stream

For positions at or above the median wage in the province/territory.

Above median wage

Engineers, IT specialists, healthcare professionals

Low-Wage Worker Stream

For positions below the median wage.

Below median wage

Retail staff, hospitality workers

Agriculture Worker Stream

For positions related to primary agriculture.

Varies

Farm laborers, agricultural equipment operators

Seasonal Agricultural Worker Program (SAWP)

For seasonal agricultural workers from specific countries.

Varies

Fruit pickers, greenhouse workers

Global Talent Stream (GTS)

For highly-skilled workers under specific categories.

Varies

Tech professionals, specialized engineers

Home Care Provider Stream

For caregivers providing in-home care for children, seniors, or individuals with medical needs.

Varies

Nannies, personal support workers

Foreign Academics

For academic positions in post-secondary institutions.

Above median wage

University professors, research scientists

Objectives Of The TFW Program

The primary goals of the TFW Program are to:

  • Mitigate the shortage of human resources in different fields.

  • Contribute to the economic development by meeting the demand for the required professionals.

  • Guarantee that the use of foreign workers will not in any way harm the Canadian labour market.

Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA)

A crucial part of the TFW Program is the Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA). This document demonstrates the necessity of hiring a foreign worker for the position, as no qualified Canadian candidates are available. The LMIA process involves several steps:

Step

Description

Advertising and Recruitment Efforts

Employers must demonstrate that they have made sufficient efforts to recruit Canadians and permanent residents.

Wage and Working Conditions

The wage offered to the foreign worker must be consistent with the prevailing wage for the occupation in the region.

Labour Market Conditions

The LMIA evaluates how employing a foreign worker will affect the Canadian labor market.

Changes To LMIA Validity and Policies

As of May 1, 2024, new LMIAs will be valid for six months, reduced from twelve months. Additionally, employers in certain sectors will face limits on the percentage of their workforce that can be composed of low-wage foreign workers.

Application Process For Employers

Here are the steps to hire a temporary foreign worker:

  • Determine if an LMIA is Required: The employers should verify if the job position meets the requirements of an LMIA.

  • Submit an LMIA Application: Employers have to apply to ESDC for an LMIA with all information about the job position and attempt to recruit the candidate.

  • Receive a Positive LMIA: When the LMIA is granted, the employer is free to extend an offer of employment to the foreign worker.

  • Work Permit Application: The foreign worker uses the positive LMIA to apply for a work permit from the Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC).

Employer Responsibilities

  • Wages and Working Conditions: Employers have to make sure that the foreign workers are paid right and that they work under good conditions.

  • Review Wages Annually: Temporary foreign workers’ wages are supposed to be reviewed and adjusted to the wage rates in the market at least once a year by the employers.

  • Compliance and Inspections: Employers are required to adhere to all the regulations set and they can also be required to allow inspections.

Conclusion

Employment and Immigration Canada’s Temporary Foreign Worker Program is a useful program that enables employers in Canada to source their workforce in the face of skills scarcity. The program is aimed at creating a structure for hiring foreign workers, thus making it possible to prevent the employment of foreign workers from causing harm to the Canadian labor market. For foreign workers, it is a chance to get a job and, in the best-case scenario, achieve immigration to Canada in the future.

The TFW Program continues to be an essential component of Canada’s immigration and employment systems because of proper regulation adherence and constant program adjustment to the labor market demands.