The Government of Canada has announced a significant reduction in the use of the Temporary Foreign Worker (TFW) Program and introduced tougher penalties for employers who fail to follow program rules. These changes reinforce the government’s commitment to prioritizing Canadian workers while protecting the rights and safety of foreign workers who come to Canada.
The Temporary Foreign Worker Program is designed as a last resort for employers who cannot find qualified Canadians or permanent residents. Employers must prove that they have made genuine and unsuccessful efforts to recruit within Canada and must continue recruitment activities while their application is processed.
While temporary foreign workers make up only about 1% of Canada’s workforce, they play an essential role in sectors such as agriculture, food processing, construction, and health care.
Since new measures were introduced in September 2024, there has been a dramatic 50% decline in overall applications to the TFW Program. The reduction is even more pronounced in the low-wage stream, where applications have dropped by 70%.
These numbers demonstrate the government’s push to ensure employers rely on Canadian labour first and turn to foreign workers only when absolutely necessary.
In the 2024–2025 fiscal year, Employment and Social Development Canada (ESDC) conducted 1,435 employer compliance inspections, finding that about 10% of employers were non-compliant.
As a result, total penalties more than doubled, increasing from $2.06 million to $4.88 million, and 36 employers were banned from the program — a threefold rise from the previous year.
| Sector | Violation | Penalty |
|---|---|---|
| Agriculture | Failing to provide proper working conditions and missing documentation | $212,000 fine + 2-year ban |
| Residential construction | Wage and labour law violations | $161,000 fine + 5-year ban |
| Long-haul trucking | Not operating a genuine business, missing documentation | $150,000 fine |
| Fish & seafood | Wage violations, unsafe conditions, and abusive environment | $1 million fine + 10-year ban (largest ever) |
These examples make it clear that mistreating workers or misusing the program carries serious consequences.
Employers found in violation are publicly listed on a government-maintained database. This transparency reinforces fairness and accountability while sending a strong message that non-compliance will not be tolerated.
The government’s enforcement efforts are built around protecting the health, safety, and dignity of temporary foreign workers across all sectors.
Service Canada operates a confidential tip line where individuals can report concerns or suspected abuse. The service is available in more than 200 languages, and tips can also be submitted anonymously online. Reports are protected under privacy laws, ensuring that employers never learn who made the report.
ESDC works closely with Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC), the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA), and the RCMP to share information and investigate potential fraud or criminal activity related to the TFW Program.
These measures reflect Canada’s continued commitment to maintaining a fair, transparent, and responsible immigration and labour system. By reducing reliance on the TFW Program and strengthening enforcement, the government aims to:
For full details, visit the official Government of Canada news release:
👉 The Government of Canada highlights reduced usage of Temporary Foreign Worker Program and increased penalties
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