Feds Looking at Curbing Known Abuse in the TFWP

Randy Boissonnault, Minister of Employment, Workforce Development, convened representatives from Canada's largest business associations, including CTA, to say the government is willing to hear suggestions on how to weed out misuse and prevent fraud within the Temporary foreign Worker Program (TFWP).

The news was welcomed by CTA, which has been calling for a crackdown on the abuse within the TFWP. CTA has been drawing attention to these known issues - which were also highlighted recently in a Truck News article - and the Alliance has attempted to work with ESDC to bolster the LMIA process, including tougher screening measures for participating carriers.

"Many companies in the trucking sector have used immigration programs quite successfully and have always been fully compliant with all requirements," said Jonathan Blackham, CTA director of Policy and Public Affairs. "On the other hand, we also know that there is abuse, fraud and general noncompliance also taking place within the system and it is time for this end."

While many of the commitments in today's announcement focused on the low wage stream, the minister also noted a series of more general changes ESDC is considering to tighten up the program, including potentially raising the current $1,000 application fee, more thoroughly scrutinizing applications, looking at limiting companies that have not been in business for certain periods of time, among other measures.

"I've been clear over the last year; abuse and misuse of the TFW program must end," Minister Boissonnault stated: "The health and safety of temporary foreign workers in Canada is a responsibility I take very seriously. Bad actors are taking advantage of people and compromising the program for legitimate businesses. We are putting more reforms in place to stop misuse and fraud from entering the Temporary Foreign Worker Program."

CTA has been calling on the federal government for many years to get tougher on unscrupulous users of the program, highlighting a mountain of evidence showing the abuse. In the past, CTA has also previously submitted potential design upgrades that could be incorporated into the program to better help screen participating trucking companies.

"We were happy to hear the minister and ESDC are taking these issues seriously," said Blackham. "We have many recommendations on how the department can combat abuse within the program and ensure only reputable companies have access. We are very much looking forward to working with ESDC to make sure all workers coming through these programs are protected."

In late 2023, CTA also wrote the federal Minister of Transport, Minister of Labour, Minister of Immigration, and other relevant federal Ministers - along with all of the provinces through the council of ministers - to urge provincial and territorial ministries across Canada work with CTA and the appropriate federal officials to establish a process that would see trucking fleets shut down for gross violations of the labour code, the Temporary Foreign Worker Program, and for those engaged in human trafficking and forced labour.

The submission detailed the complicated and unscrupulous interplay between carriers, driving schools, and immigration consultants which leads to widespread abuse in our sector. However, CTA has yet to receive a clear response from any provincial or federal authorities.

Nonetheless, CTA remains optimistic that over the coming months, the Alliance can work with ESDC to ensure the TFWP better protects workers and that only reputable, safe and compliant companies have access going forward.

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