COW – Worker Compliance and Protection – May 28, 2026
While in Canada, temporary foreign workers have the same employment standards, rights, and protections as Canadian citizens and permanent residents.
Temporary foreign workers have the right to leave their employer and are not subject to removal if employment is terminated. Workers can use the Changing Employers Public Policy.
We strictly monitor employer’s adherence to program requirements and conditions through inspections which can be random, or risk based.
We have taken concrete steps to strengthen our programs to better protect workers and to hold employers accountable. We have:
implemented stricter requirements for employers to give workers information about their rights and make reasonable efforts to provide healthcare service access
prohibited recruitments fees
created a tip line and online reporting tool
funded over 100 community organizations across the country
