Public Opinion on Temporary Foreign Workers in Canada: A Comprehensive Poll Analysis
A recent poll by Nanos Research, a renowned North American research and strategy firm, provides insight into Canadian attitudes toward temporary foreign workers and their effects on the economy. The Globe and Mail commissioned this study, which explores a variety of subjects, including the perceived value of temporary foreign workers, support for businesses that bring them to Canada, and viewpoints on their potential future path to citizenship or permanent residency.
Overview of the Temporary Foreign Worker Program
The Canadian government established the Temporary Foreign Worker Program as a temporary Canada work visa to provide opportunities to foreign workers looking for short-term employment in Canada. The TFWP enables people to work in the country for only six months, with the possibility of an extension.
During this time, the foreign worker is only authorized to work for one employer and is issued a work permit and visa. They can live in Canada, where they work, and must follow Canadian laws. When the work permit and visa are about to expire, the worker can either request an extension of the work permit or leave Canada and return to their native country.
Requirements for temporary foreign workers
The qualifications for becoming a temporary foreign worker in Canada are rather extensive. The Canadian government wants to protect the jobs of its nationals and permanent residents, so it needs proof that the foreign worker is very necessary to a Canadian enterprise. As a result, the most crucial prerequisite for becoming a temporary foreign worker is to complete a Labor Market Impact Assessment (LMIA).
The LMIA is a document that Canadian employers must get from the government. It certifies that the employer attempted to recruit an employee in Canada who is a citizen or permanent resident, but no one was willing, available, or qualified for the job. Because no one in Canada was hired for that position, the firm requires a foreign worker. The LMIA takes many months to obtain, so the procedure must begin as soon as feasible.
Additional qualifications to qualify for the TFWP are:
- You must hold a job in Canada.
- You must verify that you will leave Canada once your work permit expires.
- You must demonstrate that you can finance your and your family’s stay in Canada and that you have the means to return to your native country.
- You must show that you have a clean criminal background.
- You must demonstrate that you are not a threat to the national security of Canada.
- You must have good health.
- You must demonstrate that you will not work for an employer that provides striptease, sexual dance, erotic massage, or escort services.
The Importance of Temporary Foreign Workers
The poll results show a resounding affirmation of the value of temporary foreign workers to the Canadian economy. The majority of respondents (48% strongly agreeing, 34% somewhat agreeing) believe that these professionals perform an important role. Notably, senior Canadians aged 55 and up (56%) agree more than their younger counterparts (38%).
Nanos Research used a rigorous approach for this survey, which included an RDD dual-frame (land and cell lines) hybrid telephone and an online random survey. The sample, which included 1,006 Canadians aged 18 and over, was collected as part of an omnibus poll from December 17 to 29, 2029. Rigorous statistical tests and weightings based on age and gender were performed using the most recent Census data. The findings are geographically stratified for an accurate representation of Canada, with a margin of error of ±3.1 percentage points.
Help for Employers Bringing In Temporary Foreign Workers
The report emphasizes substantial public support for firms hiring temporary foreign workers to fill positions where Canadians are unavailable. An astonishing 79% of Canadians favor this practice, with 49% supporting it fully and 30% supporting it partially. This endorsement is especially strong in the Atlantic area (61% support, 25% partial support) and Quebec (57% support, 32% partial support).
Over two-thirds of Canadians support the notion of temporary foreign workers staying in Canada and eventually becoming citizens or permanent residents. According to the breakdown, Canadians aged 55 and over support this with 74%, compared to those between the ages of 18 and 34 who support it with 62%.
Flexibility of Temporary Foreign Workers
The survey also sought feedback on enabling temporary foreign workers brought to Canada for specialized jobs to swap employers. A significant 31% show approval, with only 17% opposing this flexibility. Interestingly, Quebec residents (43%) are more supportive of this than those in the Prairie area (24%), or British Columbia (26%).
The Nanos Research poll provides a detailed perspective of Canadian sentiments toward temporary foreign workers. The findings illustrate not just the perceived value of these workers but also the widespread support for firms hiring them and their potential absorption into Canadian culture. As Canada navigates its labor market complexities, understanding public sentiment is critical for making informed policy decisions and promoting societal harmony.
Temporary Foreign Workers in Quebec
The province of Quebec maintains extensive control over its immigration regulations and procedures. As a result, the province has a few specific policies governing the hiring of foreign labor.
Language of Submission
All LMIA applications submitted in Quebec must be in French, except LMIAs for in-home caregiver positions. If an employer encounters difficulties with this protocol, they may contact ESDC, which will work with companies to mitigate the effects of this language requirement.
Application for MIDI
Applications must receive approval from both the provincial and federal governments, as with all immigration programs based in Quebec. For this reason, LMIA applications must be submitted to both Service Canada for federal ESDC processing and the Ministère de l’Immigration, de la Diversité et de l’Inclusion (MIDI) for provincial processing.
LMIA Exemptions
In some situations, MIDI has developed a regulation that exempts employers from obtaining an LMIA for certain international workers. To qualify for this exemption, a business must hire a temporary foreign worker who fits the following criteria:
- To be eligible for permanent residency under the Quebec Skilled Worker class,
- Applicants must have a valid work permit.
- A skilled worker Certificate of Selection in Quebec (CSQ),
- Reside in Quebec to have applied.
Facilitated LMIA
- The streamlined LMIA process enables Quebec firms to apply for LMIAs without having to demonstrate that they attempted to find a Canadian citizen or permanent resident to fill the post. Learn about the prerequisites for a facilitated LMIA.
Exemptions to advertising and recruitment requirements
The Canadian government established a pilot project in collaboration with Quebec to provide more flexibility for Quebec firms under the Temporary Foreign Worker Program. From December 6, 2021, to December 31, 2024, the following NOC codes are free from advertising and recruitment requirements:
- 65100 – Cashiers
- 65102 – Store shelf stockers, clerks, and order fillers
- 65201 – Food counter attendants, kitchen helpers, and related support occupations
- 65310 – Light duty cleaners
- 65311 – Specialized cleaners
- 65312- Janitors, caretakers, and heavy-duty cleaners
- 85121 – Landscaping and grounds maintenance labourers
- 85120 – Logging and forestry labourers
- 95101 – Labourers in metal fabrication
- 95103 – Labourers in wood, pulp and paper processing
- 95104 – Labourers in rubber and plastic products manufacturing
- 95106 – Labourers in food, beverage, and associated products processing
- 95107 – Labourers in fish and seafood processing
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