Canada is set to reduce its intake of temporary foreign workers, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau announced on Wednesday via a brief statement on his X handle.
According to Trudeau, companies will now be required to demonstrate valid reasons for not hiring Canadian workers before being allowed to bring in foreign labor.
“We’re going to have fewer temporary foreign workers in Canada,” Trudeau wrote. “We’re bringing in stricter rules for companies to prove why they can’t hire Canadian workers first.”
This policy shift comes in response to Canada’s substantial population growth, largely driven by high levels of immigration, which has begun to exceed job creation rates. The influx includes international students, foreign workers filling critical employment gaps, and individuals displaced by conflicts and natural disasters.
The aim of the new rules is to strike a balance between the demand for skilled labor and the need to protect job opportunities for Canadians. This adjustment is particularly relevant as the country navigates post-pandemic economic recovery and ongoing labour market challenges.
