A Primer on Canada’s Foreign Workers

The June 2014 overhaul of the Temporary Foreign Worker Program (TFWP) resulted in significant policy reforms, and changes to how the federal government groups and reports foreign worker data. According to the Government of Canada, these methodological changes were made to reduce confusion and allow stakeholders to better understand statistics on Canada’s foreign workers. In addition to assessing the latest foreign worker data, A Primer on Canada’s Foreign Workers evaluates the foreign worker objectives of key stakeholders—including governments, employers, workers, and broader society.

Overall, this report notes there are various benefits and costs to foreign worker programs, including potential benefits to Canada when these programs are well-executed. As well, the report discusses what several recent developments—including foreign worker reforms and recently concluded free trade agreements—could mean for Canada’s foreign worker population moving forward.