CIMM - Working with Provinces and Territories to Fill Labour Market Demand

Key messages

• This Government is collaborating closely with provinces in the response to the pandemic. There is not a one-size-fits-all approach and we respect the decisions of provincial and territorial governments as they take steps they feel are necessary in their jurisdiction.
• Temporary foreign workers coming to Canada at this time are typically filling positions in industries that are critical to Canada’s economy and food security, including in agriculture and seafood processing.
• Measures are in place to ensure that those who arrive remain in quarantine for 14 days following arrival and receive medical attention and enter isolation should they fall ill.
• Temporary foreign workers already in Canada can fill labour needs in other regions. I have approved a new temporary measure that allows temporary foreign workers in Canada with a new job offer to start work right away while their new work permit application is processed.

Provincial border restrictions

• We respect the public health decisions that provinces are making and we are collaborating with them regarding their temporary foreign worker plans. I speak regularly with my provincial counterparts on developments across the country.

Supplementary messages

• From the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada has been consulting closely with provinces and territories to ensure that our collective immigration needs and priorities are met.
• Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada has specifically consulted provinces and territories on occupations that should receive priority processing for temporary foreign workers.
• Currently, work permit applications from temporary foreign workers in occupations such as health care, agriculture, food, and seafood production are being prioritized for processing.
• Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada has been sending notifications to temporary foreign workers with updates on measures relating to working in Canada throughout the pandemic. This notification advises clients to check provincial websites before traveling to confirm if there are any additional restrictions on travel.

Impacts on Permanent Immigration Programs due to COVID-19

• The goal of the Provincial Nominee Program and Atlantic Immigration Pilot is to attract and retain individuals to respond to regional and local labour market needs, while helping to spread the benefits of immigration across the country.
• Provinces and territories have identified concerns about eligibility of in-Canada applicants who are facing changes to their employment, under the Provincial Nominee Program.
• Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada is working with provinces and territories to identify eligibility concerns and find appropriate solutions, while ensuring that applicants for permanent residence are still able to economically establish in Canada. This means that IRCC is working with provinces and territories to make sure that applicants continue to meet economic development and labour market needs.

Supporting facts and figures

• Temporary foreign workers are a significant portion of Canada’s labour supply. In 2019, 405,000 temporary work permits were issued, across a broad range of occupations.
• Permanent economic immigration currently represents just under 60% of annual immigration to Canada. Through the Provincial Nominee Program and Atlantic Immigration Pilot, provinces and territories play a direct role in immigrant selection to meet their regional labour market needs.

Background

• The Government of Canada works closely with provinces and territories, economic development partners, and industry to attract and retain economic immigrants, and ensure that all areas of the country benefit from immigration.
• With respect to temporary foreign worker programs, there is ongoing and productive communication between IRCC and provincial counterparts. The latest temporary measure, to assist employers with urgent labour needs during the COVID-19 pandemic, by allowing temporary foreign workers already in Canada with a valid job offer to begin working in their new position while they await decision on the work permit application responds directly to feedback received from provinces and many industry stakeholders.

Provincial Travel and Occupation Restrictions

• New Brunswick: On April 28, 2020, New Brunswick issued an order banning the entry of temporary foreign workers. On May 8, 2020, New Brunswick issued a revised order that allowed the entry of temporary foreign workers issued a work permit in relation to a nomination under the Provincial Nominee Program or the Atlantic Immigration Pilot. On May 29, 2020, the travel restriction was lifted.
• Prince Edward Island: All temporary foreign workers require provincial approval prior to arrival in order to facilitate provincial-led isolation measures. At this time, only those working in essential sectors are allowed to enter. Given the small size of the province, the provincial government has proactively engaged all employers to stop arrivals outside of essential sectors.
• Newfoundland and Labrador: On May 4, 2020, Newfoundland and Labrador closed its borders with certain exceptions that include foreign nationals who are permanently relocating to their province, temporary foreign workers, and students. However, these foreign nationals are required to obtain approval for entry, prior to their arrival, from Newfoundland’s health authority.
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