Canada announces stringent measures for Temporary Foreign Worker Program

On 6 August 2024, the Government of Canada, through the Honorable Randy Boissonnault, Minister of Employment, Workforce Development and Official Languages, declared imminent changes to the Temporary Foreign Worker Program (TFWP). These changes are targeted at reducing fraud in the program, by strengthening integrity measures and ultimately safeguarding the Canadian labor market. The TFWP is an essential mechanism for Canadian employers to fill job vacancies when qualified Canadian workers are unavailable. However, recent concerns about the misuse of the program and the existence of an unlawful black market for approved Labour Market Impact Assessments (LMIAs) have prompted the government to take action. At the same time, it is important to note that not all Canadian work permit applications require an underlying approved LMIA in support of the application to work; however, those that do may be impacted by these new changes.

A Tax Alert prepared by EY Law LLP, and attached below, provides additional details.


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