In a significant statement, Sean Fraser has announced that Canada will try preserving families from worker’s Permit holders in a single family.
Minister of Immigration Sean Fraser announced on December 2nd, 2022, that Immigration Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) would extend the scope of eligibility for Open Work Permits (OWP) to spouses and children who are working on some existing Work Permit holders in the Temporary Foreign Worker Program (TFWP).
How do I get Work Permits and the temporary foreign Workers Program?
Work permits permit foreign nationals (i.e., those who are not permanent residents or citizens in Canada) to work in Canada. Foreign nationals can obtain a work permit through the TFWP, which allows Canadian employers to submit a Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA) to employ foreign workers.
Work permits are issued to applicants for a specific position with a particular employer. If a foreign citizen loses their place under the LMIA-based license to work, they must find a new job within a specified period or take a leave of absence from Canada. OWPs, on the other hand, permit foreigners to work legally in Canada with any employer at any job and without having to meet the exact requirements.
New modifications to OWP eligibility
The extension of eligibility for OWPs to cover families (spouses and children of working age) of specific restricted work Permits holders is an essential step in attracting more immigrants to join the workforce and possibly even settle in Canada. The spouses of international students, as well as Canadian permanent citizens and residents, have already had the option of being sponsored by their spouses for an OWP. However, the extension of eligibility to spouses of the current Work Permit holders in the TFWP clearly indicates Canada’s willingness to accept more newcomers.
IRCC anticipates more than 200,000 applications for work permits from the families of work permit holders in the wake of the policy change.
The program is anticipated to be in place by the beginning of 2023 as a two-year temporary measure over three parts:
- High-wage stream – For spouses of high-paying workers who are in the TFWP who are holders of the work permit
Phase 2: provinces and Territories stream for spouses of low-wage workers in the TFWP and
Third phase: Family members of agricultural workers – This phase will specifically deal with the families of seasonal farm workers, a major source of employment that Canada is working to increase as part of their economic rebound.
Although IRCC is eager to make these changes to boost economic recovery, these dates still need to be finalized. According to Minister Fraser, many phases two and three of the plan require collaboration with employers and provinces.
What is the reason why Canada requires more people?
Canada has long understood its importance in attracting immigrants to the country’s demographic, financial, and societal well-being. However, the COVID-19 epidemic has increased the demand for newcomers.
While the nation is facing record-high job vacancies, meager unemployment rates, and a continuous flow of retirees, the issue of immigration is now a significant concern to improve economic health and recovery after an epidemic that affected the 2020 and 2021 years.
Minister Fraser pointed out in his December 2nd speech ten years ago that there were about seven Canadian employees for every retired worker. At present, there are more than three workers for each retiree. Given the current trends, this figure will likely fall to two over the next 10 to 15 years. If the numbers don’t increase, Canada will not have sufficient skilled workers to support its most essential industries, such as education and healthcare, and indeed not its economy or healthy growth.
Modifications to a policy like the one above will be vital to ensure that long-term good health is maintained in Canadian society. IRCC has already committed (through an Immigration Levels Plan 2023-2025) to welcome more than 1.45 million immigrants before the end of 2025.
