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Recent Changes To Temporary Foreign Worker Program
Ever since COVID began, Canada has felt the effects of labor shortages. While the economy continues to recover in Canada, the country is currently experiencing a labor shortage. In fact, Canada’s economic recovery is outpacing the ability of many employers to find workers.
On April 4, the Canadian government changed the Temporary Foreign Worker Program to address labor shortages, improve worker protections, and build a more robust workforce for today and tomorrow.
Let us understand the Temporary Foreign Worker Program (TFWP) and discuss the recent changes.
What is the Temporary Foreign Worker Program?
The Temporary Foreign Worker Program (TFWP) is a temporary work visa for Canada that helps promote economic growth by responding to labor market needs while balancing the interests of businesses with those of the Canadian workforce.
The program allows Canadian employers to hire foreign nationals they need temporarily. At the same time, it ensures that foreign nationals receive the rights and protections they deserve to work safely in Canada.
Before hiring a foreign national, an employer must complete a labor market assessment known as Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA). The LMIA ensures that a foreign national is only hired if they are essential to the employer.
After receiving a positive LMIA, the employer can hire a foreign national. In the meantime, the employee can apply for a Canadian work permit or a Canadian permanent residence permit.
High Wage Workers
Any worker paid equal to or above the median wage rate of the province where they are employed is called a high-wage worker. Employers may hire high-wage workers through the TFWP stream. They must first apply for an LMIA to prove that they could not find a Canadian citizen or permanent resident to fill the vacancy.
After receiving a positive LMIA, he can notify the foreign worker to apply for authorization to work in Canada. Remember, the worker must apply before the LMIA expires. Depending on eligibility, approval can be obtained through either a work permit application or a permanent residency application.
Low Wage Workers
Any worker paid less than the median wage rate of the province where they are employed is called a low-wage worker. Employers may hire low-wage workers through the TFWP stream.
The process for hiring low-wage workers is similar to that for high-wage workers. However, LMIAs for low-wage workers require employers to meet certain conditions. These conditions ensure the rights and security of non-resident low-wage workers in Canada.
Global Talent Stream
The Global Talent Stream ensures Canada remains competitive in the worldwide marketplace. Almost all TFWP immigration streams use the LMIA to determine if a Canadian employer can hire a foreign worker. Typically, this process takes months to prepare, submit and process.
However, the Global Talent Stream eliminates many steps of the LMIA application to speed up the process. Employers in Canada can remain competitive in global markets by recruiting talent quickly.
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Foreign Agricultural Workers
Foreign Agricultural Workers
The Foreign Agricultural Stream allows employers to hire Temporary Foreign Workers (TFWs) when Canadians and permanent residents are unavailable.
There are two ways to facilitate hiring temporary foreign agricultural workers:
- regular agricultural stream or
- the Seasonal Agricultural Worker Program (SAWP).
To qualify for either program, an employer must first meet the following general requirements:
- Production must be in specific commodity sectors listed on Canada’s National Commodity List;
- The activity must be related to on-farm primary agriculture in one of the following National Occupation Classification (NOC) codes: 0821, 0822, 8252, 8255, 8431, 8432, and 8611.
In-Home Caregivers
The In-Home Caregivers stream allows families who want to temporarily hire foreign nationals to care for seniors, children, or people with medical needs in a private home.
The position must be filled after one of the criteria is met:
- For caregivers for children under 18 years of age: the position must meet the National Occupational Classification (NOC) Code 4411.
- For caregivers of persons with high medical needs: the position must meet the criteria for one of NOC 3012, 3233, or 4412.
Families must follow the same application process as employers hiring through the high-wage and low-wage streams.
In addition, families hiring foreign in-home caregivers must demonstrate that:
- they have a dependent family member who needs care at home, and
- they are financially able to pay the home care worker’s wages.
Foreign Academics
The Foreign Academics Program facilitates the hiring of academics for universities, colleges, and other educational institutions. The program helps these institutions meet their needs for faculty and other staff. Under the program, some foreign academic positions do not require an LMIA, but others do. Where the position requires a positive LMIA, the process is similar to that for high-wage streams.
5 Recent Changes to Temporary Foreign Worker Program
A total of five policy changes were announced on April 4, 2022. While three will take effect immediately, two other changes will take effect on April 30, 2022.
S. No | About | Policy Change | Effective Date |
1. | Seasonal Industries |
| April 4, 2022 |
2. | Labour Market Impact Assessments (LMIA) | LMIA is now valid for 18 months. Previously, LMIA was valid for 9 months and 6 months before Covid. | April 4, 2022 |
3. | High-Wage workers and Global Stream workers | Maximum term for both streams is extended to 3 years. Previously, the maximum term was 2 years. | April 4, 2022 |
4. | Sectors with demonstrated labor shortages |
| April 30, 2022 |
5. | Automatic refusal of LMIA applications | The current policy of automatically refusing LMIA applications for low-wage occupations in the sectors of Retail Trade and Accommodation and Food Services in regions in Canada with unemployment rates of 6% or more has now ended. | April 30, 2022 |
How Can Canoz Visas Help?
The Canadian government’s recent policies reflect the changing needs of the Canadian labor market. The country needs young and highly skilled people like YOU.
The Temporary Foreign Worker Program is a smart way to build a future in Canada. Contact our team today to learn more about the Temporary Foreign Worker Program and how you can benefit from the recent changes.
You can consult us, today! Contact our Immigration Consultant in Brampton today at +1 289 298 1000 or Book Free Consultation Now on our website canozvisas.com
Do you want
to Study or Immigrate to Canada or Australia?
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Bakhash Deep Singh
Registered Australian
Migration Agent
MARN: 1171673
He provides comprehensive and personalized services to his clients. He has handled many complex cases for Australian Immigration for his clients and has a very high success rate. He is known for his analytical and strategic approach. He is Originally from India, he has a good command over English, Hindi and Punjabi language.
Canadian Immigration
Australian Immigration
Do you want
to Study or Immigrate to
Canada or Australia?
We are Canoz Visa Services and our team is committed to provide the highest standards of client service in a friendly environment.
Bakhash Deep Singh
Registered Australian
Migration Agent
MARN: 1171673
He provides comprehensive and personalized services to his clients. He has handled many complex cases for Australian Immigration for his clients and has a very high success rate. He is known for his analytical and strategic approach. He is Originally from India, he has a good command over English, Hindi and Punjabi language.
Canadian Immigration
Australian Immigration
