The Standing Senate Committee on Social Affairs, Science and Technology (SCSAST) has recommended that Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) stop issuing closed work permits. These permits, which tie workers to a single employer, are criticized for increasing vulnerability to abuse and limiting workers' rights.
The committee's report indicates that the Temporary Foreign Worker Program (TFWP), initially created in 1973 to address urgent job vacancies, has become a crucial part of the Canadian labor market. Employers using the TFWP must secure a Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA) to demonstrate that hiring foreign workers will not negatively impact the economy.
Critics argue the TFWP is ineffective for both employers and workers. Closed work permits make workers susceptible to exploitation and restrict employers from transferring or promoting employees. The SCSAST proposes eliminating these permits within three years and exploring sector or region-specific permits as alternatives.
The report also calls for improved communication within the TFWP and the establishment of a Migrant Work Commission to protect worker rights and enhance program outcomes. Other recommendations include providing pre-arrival information for workers, conducting more unannounced inspections, and expanding pathways to permanent residency.
The government has 150 days to respond to the committee's suggestions.
