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TFW Program: End of Several Workforce Solutions Road Map Measures

/ Government Programs, Immigration Programs / By

The Temporary Foreign Worker Program (TFW Program) aims to enable Canadian employers to address labour and skills shortages on a temporary basis when Canadians and permanent residents are not available, while protecting workers in Canada, including temporary foreign workers.  

In April 2022, the Government launched the TFW Program Workforce Solutions Road Map that introduced temporary measures to help employers fill job vacancies in the wake of labour shortages.   

Based on recent economic data from Statistics Canada, the Government of Canada will not be renewing certain measures under the Workforce Solutions Road Map.

For Labour Market Impact Assessments (LMIA) applications received on or after May 1, 2024: 

  • LMIA validity period:  
    • LMIAs will be valid for up to 6 months from the date of the LMIA decision (previously 12 months). This aligns with the pre-pandemic LMIA duration of 6 months.  
    • Of note, employers under the Recognized Employer Pilot (REP) will continue to benefit from an up to three-year LMIA validity period from the date of their initial positive LMIA under REP. 
  • Cap on the number of temporary foreign workers in low wage positions:  
    • Only employers in the construction and health care sectors (NAICS 23, NAICS 622, and NAICS 623) will continue to be allowed to hire up to 30% of their total workforce through the TFW Program for low-wage positions, at a specific work location.  
    • All other employers will be allowed to hire up to 20% of their total workforce in low wage positions, at a specific work location. For most employers, this percentage represents an increase on the pre-pandemic limit of 10%. 

Furthermore, effective May 1, 2024, asylum seekers with valid work permits in Canada will be added to the list of designated, under-represented groups to be targeted by employers in their recruitment efforts, before applying for a LMIA to hire temporary foreign workers for low-wage positions. 

If you have questions on the Temporary Foreign Worker Program, please visit Canada.ca or communicate with the Employer Contact Centre.  

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