COW – Temporary Foreign Workers – May 28, 2026

Measures working : 74% fewer new worker arrivals—down 103,160 (Jan–March 2026 vs. 2024)

Focus: Labour market gaps, rural needs, in-demand sectors

• Under the Temporary Foreign Worker Program, employers must demonstrate that no Canadian or permanent resident could fill a job before hiring a temporary foreign worker.
• 33K initiative (One Time In-Canada Workers Initiative) will support the labour needs of smaller communities by accelerating the transition of up to 33,000 work permit holders to permanent residence in 2026 and 2027. We have been clear about scope.
• While in Canada, temporary foreign workers have the same employment standards, rights, and protections as Canadian citizens and permanent residents.
• Actions taken:
  • Put a 10% limit on low-wage hiring (20% in certain
    in-demand sectors) and stopped processing low-wage applications in census metropolitan areas with at least 6% unemployment.
  • Tightened Post-graduation work permit rules to better align with immigration goals and labour market needs
  • Accelerated PR for workers in in-demand sectors.