In July 2025, internal documents from Employment and Social Development Canada (ESDC) revealed six proposed changes to the Temporary Foreign Worker Program (TFWP). These updates aim to balance employer flexibility with limited gains in worker mobility, including controversial wage deductions and relaxed housing rules.

One major proposal is a sector-specific work permit for agriculture and fish processing workers. Unlike current closed permits, this would allow workers to change jobs within the same sector, provided they secure a new offer. However, migrant advocacy groups argue this change is largely symbolic and does little to shift power away from employers.

Overview of the Six Proposed TFWP Changes

Based on consultations with industry groups and labour organizations, the following key reforms are under review:

Sector-Specific Work Permits

Workers in agriculture and fish processing would be allowed to switch employers within their sector on a two-year permit—if they secure another job offer. This aims to address job loss vulnerability but still limits true mobility.

Wage Deductions

Employers could deduct significant costs—such as housing, utilities, and transport—from workers’ wages. These deductions may reduce take-home pay by thousands annually.

Relaxed Housing Standards

The government is proposing the removal of indoor temperature regulations that protect workers from extreme heat, especially in greenhouses and processing plants.

Flexible Transportation Rules

Employers may have more leeway in how they arrange transport to job sites, sparking concerns about safety and reliability for remote workers.

Unclear Health-Care Responsibilities

Proposed language around healthcare responsibilities lacks clarity, raising fears workers may struggle to access services, especially in rural regions.

Simplified Administrative Process

To make the system more efficient, ESDC wants to streamline the LMIA process and reduce red tape for employers.

According to ESDC, these proposals result from consultations held throughout 2024–2025 and are currently under review with Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC).

Criticism from the Migrant Rights Network

The Migrant Rights Network criticized the sector-specific permit as a superficial fix that leaves employer control intact. In their July 30, 2025 report, they warned that requiring a new job offer still allows for employer blacklisting and discourages workers from leaving abusive conditions.

The group also points out that similar “open work permit” programs for vulnerable workers have shown limited success, as employers often stigmatize applicants who left previous jobs due to mistreatment.

Crucially, the reforms do not include a path to permanent residency, a long-standing demand from migrant workers and their advocates.

Syed Hussan, the Network’s executive director, called the changes “incremental” and insufficient. He emphasized that true fairness begins with open work permits and permanent immigration options.

TFWP: Background and Ongoing Issues

Launched in 1973, the TFW program was designed to address labour shortages, especially in low-wage and seasonal industries. In 2024, it supported 106,000 workers and 7,400 employers, most in agriculture, fisheries, and caregiving.

The use of closed permits ties workers to a single employer—meaning job loss can also result in the loss of legal status. Past reports have exposed widespread wage theft, poor housing, and unsafe conditions.

Though the government introduced new protections in 2022, such as stricter housing inspections and limits on deductions, some of these may now be rolled back under the new proposals.

What’s Next for the TFW Program?

The government faces pressure from multiple sides—workers demand fairness and stability, while employers seek flexibility. One suggested solution is forming a multi-stakeholder task force to develop long-term reforms, including pilot programs for open permits or direct pathways to PR.

Enhancing enforcement of labour standards and investing in rural health and transportation infrastructure may also help address immediate concerns.

For thousands of migrant workers like Ana, Carlos, and Javier, the stakes are deeply personal. “We don’t want special treatment,” said Ana. “We just want to work with dignity.”

A Turning Point for Migrant Worker Rights in Canada

As Canada re-evaluates the Temporary Foreign Worker Program, the proposed reforms signal an important—but limited—step. While sector-specific permits may slightly improve job flexibility, without addressing core issues like employer dependency and lack of PR pathways, many workers remain vulnerable.

The decisions made in the coming months will determine whether Canada’s work permit system becomes more equitable—or continues to expose essential workers to avoidable risks.