More amendments have been made to the Temporary Foreign Worker Programme or TFWP. The Employment and Social Development Canada (ESDC) has hiked the minimum hourly wage per hour for those who have applied via the high-wage stream of the TFWP. It is now mandated that they earn a minimum of 20 per cent higher wage per hour than the median wage for their role to become eligible. The rule comes into effect on 8 November, 2024, affecting well over 30,000 workers. The move will raise the hourly wages by at least $5 CAD per hour and up to $8 for those who belong to the high-wage stream, on the basis of the area they are working in. This amendment is aimed at facilitating wage growth for locals.
Before this change, candidates applying via the high-wage stream of the TFWP were required to earn income equivalent to the median wage for their post in the area they are applying, in line with Canada’s National Job Bank. The other option was that they earn a wage equal to what existing employees with same skills and experience, in the same role, earned from the same employer or workplace. In order to be eligible, employers were supposed to pay candidates whichever option was higher.
Now, however, it is mandatory for candidates to earn 20 per cent more than the median wage in their area or accept a wage in the eligibility range fixed by their employer, whichever option is higher.
Tips, overtime payments, bonuses, commissions or other earnings are not considered guaranteed wages when it comes to determining eligibility.
The TFWP allows Canadian employers or establishments to temporarily hire foreign workers in case of labour shortage. The programme is run by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) in collaboration with ESDC.
