Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has announced plans to reduce the number of low-wage, temporary foreign workers and permanent residents allowed into Canada. This decision comes as the country grapples with a rapidly growing population, which some economists say is putting pressure on housing and public services like healthcare.
Trudeau shared the announcement on X (formerly Twitter), stating, “We’re reducing the number of low-wage, temporary foreign workers in Canada. The labour market has changed. Now is the time for our businesses to invest in Canadian workers and youth.”
Federal statistics indicate that immigration was responsible for about 97% of Canada’s population growth last year. Trudeau’s government has faced criticism for increasing immigration levels without adequately expanding services or housing.
During a press conference, Trudeau explained that changes in the labour market have led him to consider overhauling the Temporary Foreign Worker program. “It’s not fair to Canadians struggling to find a good job, and it’s not fair to those temporary foreign workers, some of whom are being mistreated and exploited,” he said, as reported by the BBC.
The Temporary Foreign Worker program allows employers in Canada to hire foreign nationals to fill temporary jobs when no qualified Canadians are available. However, the program has been criticized by labor advocates, and a recent UN report described it as “a breeding ground for contemporary forms of slavery.”
In addition to reducing temporary foreign workers, Trudeau mentioned that his cabinet is also considering cuts to permanent resident streams. This comes amid declining poll numbers for the Prime Minister, with many Canadians expressing concerns about the country’s high immigration levels.
“We’re looking at the various streams to ensure that as we move forward, Canada remains supportive of immigration, but also responsible in how we integrate and create pathways to success for everyone who comes to Canada,” Trudeau told reporters, according to Reuters. He added that the government would unveil a broader plan on immigration levels this fall.