The Canadian federal government is expected to raise the minimum hourly wage for temporary foreign workers in the high-wage stream to encourage employers to hire more Canadians.
Under the current rules for obtaining a LMIA for the high-wage stream, employers must pay a temporary foreign worker at least the average wage in their province.
However, Labour Minister Randy Boysson will announce an increase in the threshold to 20% above the provincial average wage. The changes will take effect on November 8.
The government’s goal is to encourage the hiring of Canadian workers. The change is expected to affect about 34,000 workers in the high-wage stream, but it will not affect existing work permits, only their renewals.
The change is part of measures to limit the number of temporary residents, including international students and workers. The rules for agricultural workers remain unchanged.
