On January 2023, a new measure will be implemented to help solve Canada’s labour shortage. This measure was announced today by Minister of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship (IRCC) Sean Fraser; and Associate Finance Minister Randy Boissonnault—who also oversees Employment Insurance issues for the federal government. Temporary Work Permit
IRCC Canada has announced a new policy change that will make it easier for workers to enter Canada and benefit from job creation opportunities. The old program was problematic for several reasons, including the inability to keep up with demand and the lack of flexibility regarding how long workers could stay in Canada. The new program is called the Two-Year Temporary Measure. This measure has three phases:
IRCC Announces New Policy Changes for Temporary Work Permits in Canada
IRCC Canada has announced a new policy change that will make it easier for workers to enter Canada and benefit from job creation opportunities.
The old program was problematic for several reasons, including that Temporary Foreign Workers were not eligible for permanent residency or citizenship. The new program will allow skilled workers from abroad to apply for permanent residence after working in Canada for four years (according to their levels of education) and accessible healthcare coverage, pensions and other benefits offered by IRCC.
This is particularly useful because many international students who graduate with degrees in STEM fields face significant barriers when trying to find work related to their degree field.
In addition, this new policy could lead international students studying at Canadian universities who want further training after graduation to stay in Canada instead of returning home where they may lack the resources required before applying again later down the road with renewed knowledge gained while here in North America during their undergraduate years at university level institutions like McMaster University which offer postgraduate programs such as masters degrees; some people might be able to move up faster if they had been able.
Include details about the new policy.
The new policy came into effect on December 1, 2018. There are some critical changes to the Temporary Work Permit application process:
- Unique Process for Applying for a Work Permit
- Unique Process for Applying for a Work Permit Extension
- New Processing Times (10 business days)
- New Fees (CAD 150 per person)
- Required Documentation Changes (Updated list of documents needed by IRCC)
- Fraudulent Documents Policy Updates (IRCC may deny your application if you provide documentation that is fraudulent or false)
How does it affect the workers?
A worker with a valid work permit who can meet the eligibility requirements may be eligible for an initial 2-year work permit. This can be extended for another year, up to a limit of three years.
In addition, workers can apply for an initial 2-year work permit and an additional 1-year work permit (for three years). This could allow them to extend their stay in Canada if they have spent less than six months outside their province or territory of residence during the past two years before making the application.
It is important to note that some provinces may already have similar programs that allow foreign nationals working there—including seasonal workers—to get temporary resident status for more extended periods than previously allowed under federal law.
The old program was problematic for several reasons.
The old program was problematic for several reasons. First, it was too rigid in its application: each occupation had a specific set of eligibility requirements and no flexibility to adjust them based on labour market conditions.
Second, the old program did not consider the needs of employers or workers. Rather than being responsive to current economic realities, it treated temporary workers as interchangeable cogs in an industrial machine operating at total capacity since the last recession hit.
Thirdly, there was no mechanism for determining whether or not applicants had ever worked illegally in Canada before entering this program; once they were granted entry and landed here legally on their first visit with an employer-specific permit (E2), they could apply for the permanent residence just like anyone else would be able to do under any other immigration category – regardless of whether or not they deserved it at all!
The New 2-year Temporary measure has 3 phases.
- 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.
- 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.
With so much uncertainty around the future of work visas, temporary work permits have become essential in securing Canadians’ jobs. With this new policy change, more workers can come to Canada and contribute to our economy.
It’s also good news for businesses that need skilled workers on a short-term basis. The government hopes this will help create jobs for Canadians by allowing employers access to foreign labour with less red tape than before, making it easier for them too!
Sources: IRCC
