QUESTION PERIOD — Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship
Temporary Foreign Workers
October 29, 2024
I have another question about a different matter. On October 24, the federal government announced a series of measures to reduce the number of temporary foreign residents in Canada. Many Quebec businesses see this as a real catastrophe. One such company is Saint-Jean-sur-Richelieu’s Tremcar, which will lose half of its foreign workers, most of them welders, and is even considering moving part of its manufacturing to the United States. Beauce Carnaval employed 25 foreign workers this year because no Quebecers were interested in working unusual schedules and travelling all around the province. What is that business supposed to do next year? Did you really calculate the impact of this measure on businesses before making this decision?
Thank you for the question. The decisions were complex and difficult. In fact, this government has made many decisions while rising to the challenges and addressing the issues surrounding our country’s capacity to properly integrate, host, house and feed our immigrants and others arriving through other programs.
Ultimately, the government tried to strike the proper balance. On the one hand, we needed to grow, not only to fill positions in Quebec and elsewhere, as you mentioned, but also to expand our economy. That’s important. On the other, we have a moral duty to ensure that people who come here at our invitation are properly received and housed.
By reverting to prepandemic levels for now, temporarily, the government was trying to strike the right balance.
At the same time, I think that it’s also causing short-term problems. New Brunswick’s new premier, Susan Holt — and I’ll take this opportunity to salute her — thinks that measures aimed at reducing the number of temporary workers will be extremely detrimental to her province, especially in the agricultural sector. We know that very few Canadians want these jobs. These are our harvests, our fruits and vegetables. What are we going to do?
Given the complex context with so many competing interests and far-reaching consequences, not only for our economy but also for our businesses, cities, lands and systems, there will always be someone who sees the glass as half empty. That being said, it is the government’s job to make these difficult decisions.
Senator Gold, there is significant concern that the recently announced cuts to immigration numbers, particularly regarding the reduced numbers of temporary foreign workers and permanent residents, will have a negative impact on my home province of Manitoba.
Manitoba has a 5.7% unemployment rate, which is lower than the Canadian average, and it relies on international immigration to meet the needs of our labour market. Especially concerned are employers and smaller communities in rural Manitoba, where temporary foreign workers and permanent residents fill essential labour gaps. Communities like Neepawa, Steinbach and Brandon are not Toronto, Vancouver or Montreal, and they face different challenges.
What is the federal government’s plan to address regional needs for immigration outside the big three cities?
The Government of Canada recognizes that provinces and territories play an important role in nominating candidates they need to address their respective labour markets. There is variation, as you properly point out, across this large country.
The provincial nominee program allocations increased significantly following the pandemic to protect our economy and allow for a speedy recovery, which thankfully occurred. However, the economic context has changed since then.
Through the 2025-2027 Immigration Levels Plan, the government — as I mentioned in response to our colleague’s question — is returning to pre-pandemic levels. That’s for two years so we can make the necessary, albeit at times painful, adjustments.
The government will continue to work with provinces and territories to ensure that they have the support they need to grow their economies while at the same time balancing the pressures on housing, infrastructure and essential services.
Manitoba’s Minister of Labour and Immigration, Malaya Marcelino, has stated that the reality in Manitoba is that we need skilled labour, particularly in rural and northern areas. Employers regularly scout immigrants to fill labour gaps in trades, education and health care.
How will the federal government work with provinces to address the negative labour impacts caused by the immigration cuts on sectors that are already struggling to fill jobs?
As part of the plan, the government will put an emphasis on the federal economic priorities and programs, including the Canadian Experience Class and regional immigration programs, to attract the workers we need, whether in areas of certain occupations and trades or health care.
Additionally, there will be a focus on economic immigration, with approximately 62% of total permanent resident admissions dedicated to the economic class in key sectors such as health and trades.
