Canada Plans 6 New TFWP Changes to Support Employers and Protect Workers

In July 2025, the internal documents from Employment and Social Development Canada (ESDC), which is responsible for managing Temporary Foreign Worker Program (TFWP), unveiled 6 new proposed changes for TFWP aiming to address employer concerns and enhance limited worker mobility.

The TFW program is currently supporting around 106,000 migrant workers and 7,400 employers across Canada, serving as a critical component of the country’s labour market strategy

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6 New Reforms Proposed for Temporary Foreign Worker Program (TFWP)

The proposed changes to the TFWP are as a result of continuous consultations with employer groups and labour organizations over the past year, and aim to address key areas like wages, housing, healthcare, etc.

1. Sector Specific Work Permits

• A new 2 year work permit would allow expats of workers in agriculture and fish processing to switch employers within the same sector, given that they have a new job offer in hand.
• This change aims to improve worker mobility, which has been limited under the current Canada’s closed work permit system.

2. Wage Deductions

• Employers would now be permitted to deduct substantial amounts from worker’s wages to cover costs like housing, transport, utilities, significantly reducing the take home salary

3. Housing Standards

• The newly proposed reforms suggest removing indoor temperature regulations that protect workers from extreme heat in workplaces such as greenhouses and processing plants, which further raises the concerns about health and safety

4. Transportation

• Employers would further gain greater flexibility in providing transport (to and from shuttles) from the workplace.
• The critics however argue that this may compromise the safety and consistency.

5. Healthcare Provisions

• The proposed changes also include details to employer obligation related to healthcare access, prompting fears of restricted medical services for workers, especially in remote areas

6. Streamlined Administration Processes

• The efforts to simplify bureaucratic procedures like the Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA) aim to make the program more efficient and responsive to the evolving labour market demands

ESDC’s spokesperson Mila Roy noted that the extensive consultations were held throughout 2024 and 2025, with the received feedback now being reviewed alongside IRCC to finalise the reforms. However the timeline for the implementation of new reforms is yet to be announced, she noted.

Also Read: Canada Revises Express Entry Financial Requirements from July 2025

What is Migrant Rights Network’s Voice to These Reforms?

On July 30,2025 the Migrant Rights Network published a critical report criticizing the reforms as largely superficial. The group also argues that the sector specific permits only provide the appearance of worker freedom while the reality is that employers retain significant control. The key criticisms stated include:

1. Employer Control and Blacklisting: Migrant workers would need a new job offer in hand to change employers and this gives a leverage to employers to blacklist workers labeled as difficult.
2. Limited Impact on Mobility: Drawing from experiences with the Open Work Permit for Vulnerable Workers, the Rights network pointed out that workers often struggle to find new jobs due to employer stigma.
3. No Pathway to Permanent Residency: The absence of any provision for Permanent Residency (PR) leaves workers vulnerable to exploitation due to their temporary legal status.

Syed Hussan, Executive Director (Migrant Rights Network), described these reforms as incremental and insufficient, calling for a comprehensive overhaul that includes open work permit and direct pathways to permanent residency.

Also Read: Canada Begins Public Consultations for 2026-28 Immigration Strategy

Explore Your Canada PR Options With GetGIS

While the proposed changes to a TFWP reflect a momentum to modernise and address few employers' concerns, significant challenges for workers rights and protection yet remain.

For workers wishing to navigate through the evolving policies, considering expert guidance from GetGIS can help ensure compliance and inform decision making throughout the visa process.

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Also Read: Canada Introduces 4 New Immigration Reforms For Temporary Residents