The Minister of Employment, Workforce Development and Disability Inclusion, Carla Qualtrough, has announced improvements to the Temporary Foreign Worker (TFW) Program to address Labour shortage in Canada.

These changes are part of the initiative called Temporary Foreign Worker (TFW) Program Workforce Solutions Road Map, an effort to continue meeting the labour market needs as well as improving worker protections and building workforce for the long term in Canada.

Five key changes were announced today, three are effective immediately and two will be in force as of April 30th:

What has been implemented today:

  • Limit to the number of low-wage seasonal positions has been waived and maximum duration of work has been extended: Seasonal industries, such as fish and seafood processing, can benefit permanently from the cap exemption for low-wages positions as well as from the new maximum work duration of 270 days per year.
  • LMIA valid for 18 months: Labour Market Impact Assessments will be valid for 18 months instead of 9 months.
  • 3-year employment duration: High-Wage and Global Talent Streams workers can obtain a work permit valid for three years instead of two years.

What will be implemented on April 30:

  • Cap to hire workers through the TFW will increase to 30% for some sectors: Accommodation and Food Services employers will be allowed to hire up to 30% of low-wage positions for one year, and other industries up to 20%, until further notice, provided that they demonstrate workforce shortage.
  • Low-wage positions LMIA applications will be allowed at any unemployment rate: LMIA applications for low-wage occupations in the Accommodation and Food Services and Retail Trade sectors in regions will no longer be conditioned to unemployment rates.

Over 2021, other measures were implemented to address workforce shortage in Canada such as increasing capacity and expediting processing of LMIA applications, investing in jobs and skills training, improving working conditions, and strengthening worker protections.

Last year, Canada has also assigned 49.5 million for a period of three years to support organizations assisting newcomers and foreign workers in emergency situations.

Learn more about how to apply to the Temporary Foreign Worker (TFW) Program here.

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