The federal government announced changes to the Temporary Foreign Worker program. The federal government is now extending work permits to family members of temporary foreign workers. Expanding the eligibility for work permits to family members accompanying the principal applicant to Canada will help address labour shortages by assisting employers in finding the workers they need.
It is no secret the agricultural industry from farmers to processors and everyone in between needs more workers and more specifically finds it challenging to find qualified workers.
Starting in January 2023, through a temporary two-year measure, Canada will expand eligibility to work in Canada to spouses and working-age children through a phased approach for workers at all skill levels. These changes would include families of workers in health care, trades and hospitality, for example. As a result of this new approach, estimates show that family members of more than 200,000 foreign workers could begin working in Canada, offering a greater opportunity for both foreign workers seeking to work in Canada and for employers addressing their labour needs.
Cam Dahl speaking on behalf of the industry said it will undoubtedly help because everyone is experiencing labour shortages every step along the way. So that includes labour shortages in barns transportation and trucking with shortages at the plants.
“Anything that helps in any part of that to relieve some of that pressure is something that we welcome. And this will provide opportunities for both families and the producers to make it easier to bring in help. So it’s a good thing.”
Dahl said to pick any town or city, Neepawa, Killarney, Winkler or Steinbach. These newcomers are helping to build community; this change will help by bringing in additional family members.
The government will implement the temporary measure in three phases to ensure its successful implementation. Phase 1 will enable family members of workers coming to Canada through the high-wage stream of the Temporary Foreign Worker Program or the International Mobility Program to apply for an open work permit. Phase 2 aims to expand the measure to the family members of workers from the low-wage stream of the Temporary Foreign Worker Program following consultations. And Phase 3 will include consultation with agricultural partners and stakeholders to assess the operational feasibility of expanding the measure to family members of agricultural workers.
Before this announcement, spouses were only eligible for a work permit if the principal applicant worked in a high-skill occupation. This temporary measure aims to improve workers’ emotional well-being, physical health and financial stability by keeping families together. As a result, workers will integrate better into their work environment and community.
Immigration will continue to play a vital role in addressing Canada’s labour shortages, and the Government of Canada will continue to implement policies aimed at helping employers with their staffing needs across all skill levels.
Sean Fraser, minister of immigration, refugees and citizenship, said employers across the country continue to identify a lack of workers as their biggest obstacle. This move will help employers find the workers they need to fill their labour gaps by expanding work permits to family members at all skill levels.
“Our government will continue helping employers overcome labour shortages, supporting the well-being of workers and uniting their families.” •
— By Harry Siemens