Canada to send home Thousands of Foreign Workers and visitors with work permits

Summary

Canada is set to send home thousands of foreign workers, particularly affecting immigrants from India and South Asia, as Prime Minister Justin Trudeau announces a shift away from temporary foreign labor. The government aims to reduce reliance on low-wage foreign workers, encouraging businesses to invest in training and technology instead. With 1.4 million Canadians unemployed and youth employment rates rising, many young Canadians are now competing for the same low-wage jobs. The tightening of foreign worker policies may lead to significant long-term consequences for both foreign workers and the Canadian job market.

Takeaways

• 📢 Prime Minister Justin Trudeau announced changes to Canada's temporary foreign worker program, impacting thousands of immigrants.
• 🏗️ Canada brought in 240,000 foreign workers in the last year, the highest number ever recorded, while 1.4 million Canadians are unemployed.
• 🤔 The program was intended to fill jobs that Canadians wouldn't do, but it has become a way to hire cheaper labor, stalling wage growth.
• 🔼 During the pandemic, the cap on foreign workers was raised from 10% to 20%, and up to 30% for certain industries, leading to an influx of foreign labor.
• 🇮🇳 Many foreign workers from India and South Asia are now facing uncertain futures due to tightening rules in the program.
• 📉 Youth employment in areas like Toronto has increased from 9% to 14% in two years, heightening competition for low-wage jobs.
• 💰 Businesses prefer hiring foreign workers to keep wages low, which has led to stagnation in pay for Canadian workers.
• ⚙️ The reliance on temporary foreign workers has resulted in Canadian businesses lacking innovation and improvements in working conditions.
• 🚫 New rules may restrict hiring foreign workers in regions with an unemployment rate of 6% or higher, but the previous ban was removed.
• 💬 The speaker invites viewers to share their thoughts on the necessity of foreign workers in Canada and encourages open discussion.

Q & A

What recent announcement did Prime Minister Justin Trudeau make regarding foreign workers in Canada?

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau announced that Canada will be sending home thousands of foreign workers due to a reduced reliance on temporary foreign labor and an emphasis on training and technology investments by Canadian businesses.

How many foreign workers were brought to Canada under the temporary foreign worker program last year?

Last year, 240,000 workers came to Canada under the temporary foreign worker program, the highest number ever recorded.

What is the current unemployment rate among Canadians mentioned in the transcript?

There are currently 1.4 million Canadians who are unemployed, raising questions about the need for foreign workers.

What was the original purpose of the temporary foreign worker program?

The temporary foreign worker program was originally designed to fill jobs that Canadians either could not or would not do, such as seasonal labor in agriculture.

How did the pandemic affect the temporary foreign worker program?

During the pandemic, businesses faced labor shortages and successfully lobbied the government to increase the cap on foreign workers from 10% to 20%, and even 30% for some industries like food service.

Why are Canadian businesses dependent on foreign workers?

Canadian businesses prefer hiring foreign workers as it allows them to maintain lower wages, thereby avoiding the need to raise pay for local workers to attract them.

What has been the impact of foreign workers on wages in Canada?

Since 2010, wages for low-wage jobs in Canada have barely grown, and when adjusted for inflation, the situation worsens, indicating stagnation largely due to reliance on foreign labor.

What changes is the Canadian government implementing regarding the temporary foreign worker program?

The government is tightening rules, including restrictions on hiring foreign workers in areas where unemployment is 6% or higher, although previously removed regulations still allow hiring in such regions.

Which groups are most affected by the changes in the foreign worker program?

The changes primarily affect foreign workers from India and South Asia, who had hoped to build better lives in Canada, as well as young Canadians facing increased competition for low-wage jobs.

What are the potential long-term consequences of the government's changes to the foreign worker program?

The changes could lead to significant impacts on the job market in Canada, with thousands of foreign workers left uncertain about their status and local youth facing difficulties finding employment in certain industries.