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

Key messages

• Everyone in Canada is working together to stop the spread of COVID-19. This Government respects the decisions of provincial and territorial governments as they take steps they feel are necessary in their jurisdictions.
• 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 should they fall ill.
• Temporary foreign workers who are already in Canada are also available to fill acute labour needs. I have introduced a public policy that will allow foreign workers in Canada with a new job offer and accompanying Labour Market Impact Assessment (where required) to start work right away while their work permit application is processed
• The Government will continue to work with provinces/territories, partner countries, employer associations, worker support organizations, and other stakeholders to address issues and questions.

New Brunswick

• I have talked to my counterpart in New Brunswick. We respect their decision and are working closely with the province.

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 under the Temporary Foreign Worker Program.
• Currently, work permit applications from temporary foreign workers in occupations such as health care, agriculture, food, and seafood production are being prioritized for processing.

Impacts on Permanent Immigration Programs due to COVID-19

• Provinces and territories have identified concerns about eligibility of in-Canada applicants who are facing changes to their employment, under the Provincial Nominee Program and the Atlantic Immigration Pilot.
• 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, without relying on social assistance. 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.
• The goal of the Provincial Nominee Program and Atlantic Immigration Pilot is to respond to regional and local labour market needs, while spreading the benefits of immigration across the country.