Temporary residency programs are tightening up!

The federal government has announced numerous changes that will have an impact on certain temporary foreign worker programs. We are highlighting some of the main changes below that will impact Canadian employers.

As of September 26th, 2024, Labour Market Impact Assessments (LMIAs) will be impacted, notably in the low-wage stream.

• The Refusal to Process policy will apply to LMIA applications submitted in the low-wage stream in census metropolitan areas across Canada that have an unemployment rate of 6% or higher – with an exception for employers seeking to fill labour shortages in the healthcare, construction, and food processing sectors.
• The 20% employer cap on low-wage temporary foreign workers will be reduced to 10%, including those processed under the “Traitement Simplifié” in Québec – with an exception for employers seeking to fill labour shortages in the healthcare, construction, and food processing sectors.
• All LMIA’s processed under the low-wage stream, except for occupations under the Primary Agriculture Stream, will be limited to a duration of one year maximum.

Further changes will be coming in the high-wage stream in the next 60 days.

Please be aware of all these upcoming changes, especially if you plan on hiring temporary foreign workers or if you have workers whose permits will need renewing, as the above rules apply to renewals as well.

Contact us if you would like to review your options or know how these changes will impact you or your business.

Published on September 20, 2024