Canada will reduce the number of temporary foreign workers allowed into the country under new regulations announced on Monday, marking a shift in its previously generous immigration policy, which has led to a significant increase in new arrivals.
The updated rules include reinstating a ban on temporary foreign worker permits for low-wage positions in cities where the unemployment rate is six percent or higher.
Recently, Canada experienced its highest population growth in over 50 years, largely driven by immigration.
As the population exceeded 40 million, the country also witnessed a rise in unemployment.
Immigration Minister Marc Miller emphasized during a news conference that migration policies must be aligned with the current economic conditions in Canada and the tightening job market.
“We won’t hesitate to take additional measures if necessary,” he added.
In addition to the cap on temporary migrants introduced in March, the new rules will limit the number of temporary foreign workers entering Canada by 65,000 annually.
This cap has reduced the proportion of temporary migrants in the population from 6.2 percent to 5 percent.
Ottawa had previously responded to business demands for increased access to the temporary foreign worker program, as companies faced difficulties filling job vacancies following the end of COVID-19 restrictions.
This led to a near doubling of the number of temporary foreign workers admitted and an expansion of the program to include sectors such as fast food, whereas previously most were employed in agriculture.
However, with Canada’s unemployment rate rising to 6.4 percent over the past year and the population surge straining housing and social services, the government is adjusting its approach.
“We want to make sure that Canadians have access to those jobs” and stamp out abuses in the temporary foreign worker program, commented Jobs Minister Randy Boissonnault.
Among the new rules announced Monday, permits for low-wage jobs will be issued for only one year, down from two years.
The agriculture, health care and construction sectors will be exempt.
The share of temporary foreign workers an employer can hire will also fall to the pre-pandemic level of 10 percent, from 20 percent.
In January, Ottawa also announced a cap on international students, saying it was being used as a backdoor entry to Canada.
The new temporary foreign worker rules will take effect on September 26.
(allnews.ng)
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