Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) expanded a temporary immigration measure to help families stay together. Spouses and common-law partners of eligible temporary foreign workers in Quebec can now apply for an open work permit. To qualify, the partner must hold a valid temporary resident status or have lost it within the last ninety days. The partner must also be listed on the main applicant's permanent selection application for Quebec's Skilled Worker Selecti

The British Columbia Supreme Court ruled that Mac’s Convenience Stores and three immigration consulting firms unlawfully exploited close to 880 migrant workers. Justice Sharon Matthews found that the defendants used false pretences to charge migrants up to $8,000 each for Canadian jobs that rarely existed. The retail chain brought workers to Canada to create a flexible staffing pool without any specific intention to employ them full-time. Many arrived to find no employment, w

A British Columbia forestry enterprise currently facing insolvency proceedings has been penalized $429,000 and banned from employing migrant workers for two years following a federal investigation. Inspectors determined that Vancouver-based San Industries Ltd. breached five sections of the Immigration and Refugee Protection Regulations. The violations included failing to provide advertised wages and working conditions, failing to match positions with approved labour market as

Recent data from Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) reveals a sharp downward trend in temporary resident arrivals, with a 72% decrease in new student and worker permits issued in early 2026 compared to the same period in 2024. This decline follows several federal measures, including an annual cap on international student study permits and a 10% limit on low-wage temporary foreign worker hiring. While the total number of permit holders currently in Canada rema

Alberta has introduced Bill 26, the Immigration Oversight Act, to restore confidence in the immigration system by increasing provincial oversight of employers, foreign worker recruiters, and immigration consultants. If passed, the legislation would require employers to register before using federal temporary foreign worker programs and would create a licensing framework for recruiters and consultants. The province says these measures will help curb fraud, exploitation, and l

Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) has introduced a temporary public policy to help Quebec transition more temporary residents to permanent status. The initiative offers streamlined access to employer-specific work permits through the International Mobility Program for eligible foreign workers. Applications will be processed within 30 days, with submissions accepted until December 31, 2026. The policy targets three groups: workers with permits expiring by ye

New data released by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) shows a significant decline in temporary resident arrivals for January 2026. Canada welcomed 7,040 new international students and 11,850 temporary workers, marking a 28% overall decrease compared to January 2025. These figures reflect the government's commitment to reducing Canada's temporary population to below 5% through measures such as annual caps on study permits, stricter work-permit eligibility,

The Federal Government announced a temporary measure that allows eligible skilled workers in Quebec to extend their employer-specific work permits for up to 12 months. This gives Quebec additional time to process applications for the Quebec Selection Certificate, which is required before applying for permanent residence. The measure targets workers who received invitations to submit a Demande de Selection Permanente under Quebec's Skilled Worker Selection Program. Applicatio

The Government of Canada announced temporary measures allowing rural employers to increase the proportion of low-wage temporary foreign workers they can hire from 10% to 15% of their workforce. The change is intended to help rural businesses address persistent labour shortages and will apply from April 1, 2026, through March 31, 2027, following a request from a province or territory. At the same time, sector-specific rules will remain in place: employers in the health care,

Employment and Social Development Canada has processed 31,449 positive Labour Market Impact Assessments (LMIA) for temporary foreign worker positions in the third quarter of 2025. Ontario led the provinces with 11,392 approvals, followed by Quebec at 7,811 and British Columbia with 6,336. Alberta recorded 2,868 positive LMIAs, while the Atlantic provinces saw modest numbers ranging from 263 in Newfoundland and Labrador to 779 in Nova Scotia. The prairie provinces of Manitoba

New federal statistics reveal that work permit issuances under the Temporary Foreign Worker Program (TFWP) plummeted to just 2,615 in November 2025, marking the lowest monthly intake since early 2024. This sharp decline follows commitments from federal ministers to "rebalance" the program in response to concerns over housing shortages and wage suppression. While the program saw over 100,000 approvals annually during the post-pandemic peak of 2022–23, the government has since

The Northwest Territories Nominee Program has officially closed its 2025 intake after receiving sufficient applications to meet the federal nomination cap of 300 candidates. Prospective applicants will receive email notifications regarding whether their submissions will proceed to assessment or be withdrawn. The program is scheduled to reopen in 2026, with further details to be announced. Employers seeking to fill workforce gaps can explore alternative pathways, including th

Three co-owners of Marina Dosa and Tandoori Grill in Calgary were sentenced to 90-day weekend jail terms this week after being convicted of defrauding temporary foreign workers from India. Manikandan Kasinathan, Chandramohan Marjak, and Mary Roche were found guilty of fraud over $5,000 for illegally collecting $44,000 from three immigrant employees under false pretenses. Justice Sandra Mah ordered the offenders to repay the stolen funds and serve 18 months probation. The wor

The Government of Quebec has announced new language requirements for temporary foreign workers seeking a Quebec Acceptance Certificate under the Temporary Foreign Worker Program (TFWP). Starting December 17, 2028, applicants who have completed three years of work in Quebec must demonstrate Level 4 proficiency in French, as defined by the Echelle québécoise. Agricultural workers, political office employees, and staff of recognized international non-governmental organizations

An extensive investigation has uncovered disturbing patterns of exploitation affecting nearly 80,000 temporary foreign workers in Canada's agricultural sector. These workers, who harvest the produce that reaches Canadian tables, face wage theft, unsafe working conditions, inadequate housing, and in some cases, physical and sexual abuse. The Investigative Journalism Bureau's findings, supported by Simon Fraser University research , reveal that the Temporary Foreign Worker Prog

Quebec's Minister of Immigration, Francization and Integration has introduced the province's immigration framework for 2026-2029, alongside the detailed 2026 Immigration Plan. The strategy aims to limit both temporary and permanent immigration volumes to ease pressure on the province's integration capacity. Quebec will welcome 45,000 permanent residents in 2026, while also admitting between 84,900 and 124,200 temporary residents through the Temporary Foreign Worker and Inter

Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) has announced procedural updates to the Recognized Employer Pilot program. Effective October 24, 2025, applicants may now use a single Labour Market Impact Assessment for multiple work permit applications under the REP framework, contingent upon available positions remaining on the approved LMIA. IRCC has simultaneously established standardized procedures for officers to verify position availability on REP LMIAs. These clar

Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) has released updates to the intra-company transferee (ICT) guidelines under...

Three Filipino construction workers in Dartmouth may be forced to leave Canada due to administrative errors in their work permit renewal...

New Angus Reid Institute data reveal that while 52% of Canadians view the Temporary Foreign Worker Program (TFWP) negatively, a majority...