A Canadian group representing small business owners is calling for changes in Canada’s Temporary Foreign Workers Program to “address critical shortages for small businesses while providing a clear path to permanent residence for foreign workers.”
“Canada was built by people who decided to take a chance, come here, and work hard to make a new life for themselves and their families,” said Dan Kelly, President of the Canadian Federation of Independent Business (CFIB), in statement released Monday (December 1) “The Introduction to Canada Visa would open up those opportunities once again. You shouldn’t need a PhD to live the Canadian Dream.”
“One of the legitimate criticisms of the TFW program is that it was often employing temporary workers to fill permanent labour market needs,” added Kelly. “Given the massive cost of turn-over, small businesses would much rather hire someone who is not temporary, but the permanent immigration system largely prohibits anyone with more junior skill sets. We need workers at all skill levels, including for entry-level jobs, and that need isn’t going away.”
The CFIB conclusion is that what’s needed is a new visa which “would give foreign workers in entry-level categories an opportunity to work with an employer for two years as a defined step towards permanent residency.”
The CFIB also suggests:
- Employer must have 1 Canadian employee at same wage rate to have 1 Intro Visa
- Ability to switch employers, not sectors or regions, if commitments not kept
- Strict national and provincial enforcement
The CFIB represents 109,000 small business owners across Canada.
More information:
Canadian Federation of Independent Business (CFIB) press release – Taking the “temporary” out of the TFW program – here
CFIB report – Taking the Temporary Out of the TFW Program (pdf) – here
Globe and Mail – CFIB seeks special visa to replace temporary foreign workers program – here
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