Québec has announced a six-month suspension of the Temporary Foreign Worker Program in Montreal. This decision impacts many businesses and immigrants, creating uncertainty in the local job market. Discover what this means for you and how it could affect your plans.
The Québec government has announced a six-month freeze on the Temporary Foreign Worker Program (TFWP) in the Montreal region, starting on September 3, 2024. This suspension applies to both new applications and the renewal of work permits for jobs paying less than $57,000 per year. Exemptions have been made for essential sectors such as health, education, construction, agriculture, and food processing.
The Québec government aims to increase the average salary in the province and regulate immigration volumes, particularly for lower-wage jobs. The goal is to restrict the entry of temporary foreign workers into lower-paying positions to encourage higher-paying jobs and safeguard provincial resources for permanent residents and essential sectors.
The Montreal Metropolitan Chamber of Commerce has expressed concerns about the negative impact of the freeze on small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), particularly due to existing labor shortages. The Chamber criticizes the decision to freeze the renewal of work permits for already integrated workers, arguing that this will harm the local economy and businesses that rely on these workers to meet real needs.
This freeze means that temporary immigrants already in Montreal could have their work permit renewals denied, potentially forcing them to leave Canada. New arrivals hoping to work in the metropolitan area may also be blocked from entering, limiting their economic opportunities and ability to integrate into Montreal society.
As highlighted by the Conference Board of Canada, British Columbia leverages immigration to maintain economic stability and prevent a recession. Immigrants fill labor shortages and stimulate growth, making integration and skill recognition top priorities.
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