Proposed changes to Canada’s Temporary Foreign Worker program would allow workers to leave their current employer for a new one, creating greater labour mobility for immigrant workers.
Currently, temporary foreign workers have permits that are employer-specific, which risks pairing them with abusive and exploitative employers. Workers facing injustice may not be inclined to speak up if it means losing their work permit; occupation-based work permits would help resolve these issues.
Farmers expressed concerns that the Seasonal Agricultural Worker program already has checks and balances and shouldn’t be altered further. However, some have argued that the changes don’t go far enough.