By: Yildiz Subuk, Staff Writer
On August 26, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau announced he will “reduce the number of temporary foreign workers in Canada” by tightening the policy regarding temporary foreign workers (TFWs). This follows what some are calling a “historic surge” of temporary foreign workers in Canada, with nearly 184,000 TFW permits taking effect in 2023. When Canada faced a labour shortage, policies changed to allow more TFWs into the country to address it.
Under the Immigration and Refugee Protection Regulations, TFWs enter Canada through work permits, which limit them to work for a single employer unless they get another permit. These permits allow individuals to work for 1–2 years before they have to renew their permit to stay in the country.
Trudeau also announced plans to limit the amount of permanent residents in Canada. He stated that “high unemployment areas — places where the unemployment rate is 6% or higher — will not be able to hire low-wage TFWs.” This excludes food security, construction, and health care sectors where there are staffing shortages. “We’ll be looking at unemployment rates and opportunities to make further adjustments over the course of this fall as we come forward with comprehensive level plans that will respond to the reality that Canada’s facing now and in years and decades to come,” said Trudeau.
The United Nations (UN) declared Canada’s TFW program to be “a breeding ground for contemporary slavery” in a recent report. Contemporary slavery in this context refers to the exploitation of workers that goes unreported due to some migrants’ fear of deportation. The UN stated that TFWs are subjected to multiple forms of abuse but are often unaware of their rights. These forms of abuse include being underpaid for work or feeling forced to pay immigration consultants large sums of money to get jobs.
The Peak interviewed Syed Hussan, executive director of Migrant Workers Allegiance For Change, who noted that multiple changes regarding immigration have been made since June last year. These changes include capping study permits and permanent residency and “refusing to renew permits for graduated international students.” Hussan said Trudeau’s new decision could affect TFWs as they may not be able to renew their permits, forcing them to relocate to areas where there is lower unemployment. Other TFWs would become undocumented or feel forced to pay large sums of money to recruiters to locate work.
Though Trudeau stated he wants to limit TFWs and permanent residents in Canada due to the increase in unemployment, Hussan suggests another reason behind this decision. He explained the Liberals want to respond to speculators who link the lack of affordability crisis in Canada to immigrants: “The Liberals are working to show that they are in control of the immigration system, in an attempt to respond to growing xenophobia and racism.”
However, Hussan said Trudeau’s announcement affirms the beliefs that immigrants are linked to the affordability crisis, which will fan the flames of a growing xenophobic rhetoric within the country. “Blaming migrants, it serves as a distraction from holding the billionaires and corporations accountable for their profiteering and their impoverishment of working people,” stated Hussan.
The Peak also interviewed Dr. Steven Weldon, an SFU political science professor. He explained that more Canadians may be against immigration as Canada is experiencing more difficult economic times due to high inflation and fewer job opportunities. Weldon said this creates a pullback around immigration.
Weldon also said that while the federal government controls the influx of immigration within the country, Trudeau’s decision could change. Trudeau stated that future changes will make it so “Canada remains a place that is positive in its support for immigration, but also responsible in the way we integrate and make sure there’s pathways to success for everyone who comes to Canada.”
