Recent adjustments to Montreal’s temporary worker population
Quebec Premier François Legault proposed temporary limitations on foreign workers on August 20th, aimed at the “administrative region” of Montreal. From September 3rd, Canada’s federal and provincial governments suspended the processing of LMIA applications for specific jobs (in Montreal) under the TFWP’s Low-rate stream (those with hourly wages below Quebec’s median hourly rate).
According to ESDC’s latest notice, these changes do not affect some workers who satisfy specific requirements related to their occupation, location, and wage—or who filed an LMIA before September 3rd, 2024. The anticipated duration of this suspension is six months.
Part of a larger scheme
The Canadian government is paying more attention to the TFWP and temporary residents (those with work/study permits or guest visas with electronic travel authorization (eTA)) broadly at the same time as it continues to make these modifications to the program. Employment Minister Boissonnault and Immigration Minister Marc Miller have openly denounced abusive firms within the Temporary Foreign Work Program (TFWP) for taking advantage of temporary foreign workers and disregarding Canadian workers in favor of cheaper labor in recent months, both together and individually.
Immigration Minister Miller also announced the historic addition of a temporary resident threshold to the yearly Immigration Levels Plan in their first joint talk in March. This move will better manage this population’s strain on Canadian social services and infrastructure. Canada also said it will impose a 2026 study permit cap on international students to achieve this aim. The aim is to develop a system that fosters the growth of both international students and Canadian citizens.
