Author: galsharif@torstar.ca (Ghada Alsharif)

Recent investigations have exposed flaws in the Canadian government’s fast-tracking of applications for the temporary foreign worker program. Despite promises to crack down on abuse, the government directed processing officers to skip essential checks to expedite the process. This revelation highlights a significant contradiction in the government’s public statements versus its actual practices. Changes announced by Prime Minister Justin Trudeau aim to restrict low-wage foreign worker hires and encourage companies to prioritize hiring Canadian residents. However, concerns remain about the integrity of the program, especially as checks to prevent fraud have been sidelined in favor of speed. This shift has…

Recently, the Trudeau government vowed to crack down on the abuse of a temporary foreign worker program. However, a Star investigation uncovered that the government has been fast-tracking applications by asking processing officers to skip essential fraud-prevention steps. As of January 2022, Employment and Social Development Canada (ESDC) instructed staff to apply “streamlining measures” to evaluate the legitimacy of applications from employers seeking to hire temporary foreign workers. This move suspended routine checks meant to prevent the program from being exploited by dishonest employers. Notably, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau announced changes to the program to limit low-wage foreign workers that…

In a recent announcement, Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau revealed plans to implement stricter regulations aimed at reducing the number of low-wage temporary foreign workers in the country. The new rules are designed to protect Canadian workers and ensure fair wages for all. The government’s decision comes after concerns were raised about the impact of temporary foreign workers on the local job market, particularly in industries that rely heavily on low-wage labor. By tightening regulations and reducing the number of foreign workers, the government hopes to create more opportunities for Canadian workers and prevent exploitation of foreign labor. The move…

David Rodriguez, a 39-year-old cook from Mexico, was fired from his job in Toronto after speaking out against his abusive employer. The incident sheds light on the harsh working conditions endured by temporary foreign workers in the food services sector. Despite facing unpaid overtime and aggressive behavior from the owner, when Rodriguez raised his concerns, he was immediately terminated, leaving him without work and tied to his employer for legal status in Canada. It took him over a year to secure a work permit with a new employer. Rodriguez’s experience is not isolated, as advocates highlight the increasing reliance on…