As many TFW contracts expire, Alberta government pushes for flexibility
Posted Apr 1, 2015 12:11 pm.
This article is more than 5 years old.
It’s unclear just how many are affected, but it could be in the thousands as the changes to the temporary foreign workers program have now come into effect.
As of Wednesday, contracts for perhaps up to tens of thousands of TFWs have expired, which means they will be forced to leave the country and for those who have been here for four years, they will have to wait another four years to reapply.
The federal government has not revealed exactly how many will be affected and Federal Citizenship and Immigration Minister Chris Alexander is downplaying the significance of the move.
“Tomorrow (Wednesday) is not actually that dramatic a day for us because the news about our reforms of the temporary foreign workers program have been out there since last June,” he said, adding Canadians must have first choice for jobs.
Alberta could be the most affected, with an estimate of around 41,000 TFWs as of late 2013, the most in the country and Minister of Jobs, Skills, Training and Labour Ric McIver said it will be a sad day.
“While we always make it a priority to make sure that we look after Albertans and Canadians first to get jobs, there’s lots of jobs that there’s no Canadians or Albertans ready and willing to do, so a lot of businesses are potentially going to suffer and some people are going to have to go home,” he said.
McIver said while the feds have been trying to work with provincial officials for a better solution, they haven’t come up with a plan that is suitable.
“That’s why we continue to stay in touch with them and continue to push hard for changes to immigration and allow flexibility for Alberta, because one size doesn’t fit all across Canada and Alberta has some unique needs,” he said.
Alexander said he understands the provincial concerns, but stands by the reforms.
“Here’s the bottom line: if someone’s here for four years as a temporary foreign worker and they’re still employed, they’re still needed, they’re really not a temporary worker,” he said. “We need them as part of the permanent workforce and that’s why as a government, we’ve created the pathways to immigration over the past nine years.”
“Building up that Alberta workforce in a way that meets the needs of Alberta employers and Alberta communities has been part of our agenda, but we want to see temporary workers transition to permanent status as soon as they can.”
Alexander said those measures include bridging work permits for those who need them and getting provincial nomination.
Alexander said in his view, Alberta has adapted well to the reforms many months ago, as some workers have already gone home and most have gotten the message about transitioning their status.
But while McIver reiterated federal officials are trying to work with provincial ones, there’s still a lot of work to be done.
“We continue to advocate for more Alberta control over it and more flexibility because what Alberta needs isn’t always the same as what other provinces need,” he said.
