The Right Words About Temporary Foreign Workers — Hope They Mean What They Say

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The Right Words About Temporary Foreign Workers — Hope They Mean What They Say

 
Citizenship and Immigration Minister Chris Alexander and Employment and Social Development Minister Pierre Poilievre are talking tough. This is April 1 and  cohort of Temporary Foreign Workers who came here four years ago must return home.
 
There has been much moaning and groaning from these not-so-temporary four year workers and from some greedy employers. To hear some Alberta employers howl, despite the economic downturn caused by slumping oil prices, you’d think they’d be unable to find a body to pour coffee, serve sandwiches or install a wire.
 
Thus, the following statement is encouraging:
 
““Employers and foreign workers have known about the four-year time limit since 2011, when this policy was announced.

“Employers have had four years to find alternative employees. Similarly, temporary foreign workers have had four years to pursue pathways to permanent residence.

“The purpose of the Temporary Foreign Worker Program is exactly that – to be temporary. Canadians rightly expect to get first crack at available jobs.

“Temporary workers may wish to explore the many pathways to permanent residency we offer which are now delivered through Express Entry and Provincial Nominee Programs. We encourage foreign workers to apply through these streams so that they can contribute permanently to Canada’s economy and to their communities.

“But let there be no mistake: We will not tolerate people going ‘underground.’ Flouting our immigration laws is not an option, and we will deal with offenders swiftly and fairly.

“Canadians are welcoming and generous but we need to ensure that we’re putting Canadians first and standing up against potential abuse of our immigration system.”

 
It’s not quite as hard line as it may sound. Note, however, there are paths —  the “Express Entry and Provincial Nominee Programmes” — for “temporary” foreign workers to hit the citizenship track.
 
Let’s hope that real enforcement — deportations and 10 year bans — will be employed on any of the temporary foreign workers who stay or go underground and heavy fines on any employer who employs them.
 
It’s time to Put Canada and Canadians First!
 
Paul Fromm
Director
CANADA FIRST IMMIGRATION REFORM COMMITTEE

Statement from Canada’s Citizenship and Immigration Minister Chris Alexander and Employment and Social Development Minister Pierre Poilievre on the expiration of the four-year temporary work permits

Ottawa, April 1, 2015 – Canada’s Citizenship and Immigration Minister Chris Alexander and Employment and Social Development Minister Pierre Poilievre issued the following statement today on the expiration of the four-year work permits:

“Employers and foreign workers have known about the four-year time limit since 2011, when this policy was announced.

“Employers have had four years to find alternative employees. Similarly, temporary foreign workers have had four years to pursue pathways to permanent residence.

“The purpose of the Temporary Foreign Worker Program is exactly that – to be temporary. Canadians rightly expect to get first crack at available jobs.

“Temporary workers may wish to explore the many pathways to permanent residency we offer which are now delivered through Express Entry and Provincial Nominee Programs. We encourage foreign workers to apply through these streams so that they can contribute permanently to Canada’s economy and to their communities.

“But let there be no mistake: We will not tolerate people going ‘underground.’ Flouting our immigration laws is not an option, and we will deal with offenders swiftly and fairly.

“Canadians are welcoming and generous but we need to ensure that we’re putting Canadians first and standing up against potential abuse of our immigration system.”

For further information (media only), please contact:

Kevin Menard
Minister Alexander’s Office
613-954-1064

Media Relations
Communications Branch
Citizenship and Immigration Canada
613-952-1650
CIC-Media-Relations@cic.gc.ca

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