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Canada has been bringing in more and more workers on temporary work permits, rather than as permanent residents. In recent years, the number of people in Canada as temporary foreign workers more than doubled.
Traditionally Canada has welcomed immigrants on a permanent basis, with most becoming citizens. The recent shift to temporary migration marks a dramatic change in policy, yet there has been little public debate.
Temporary status means that workers’ rights are not fully protected. In her fall 2009 report, the Auditor General of Canada raised concerns that Temporary Foreign Workers are vulnerable to abuse.
In October 2009, the federal government proposed changes to the Temporary Foreign Workers Program, intended to address rising concerns for the fair treatment of these workers. However, the proposals do more to penalize than to protect Temporary Foreign Workers. The proposals also fail to challenge the basic policy of relying on temporary migration to fill employers’ demand for labour.
For more information
Pamphlet, From Permanent to Temporary Migration: Canada's Dramatic Policy Shift
Comments on proposed changes to the Temporary Foreign Workers Program, 24 November 2009