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New TFW pilot project to address Quebec labour shortage

On Jan. 10, Carla Qualtrough, minister of employment, workforce development and disability inclusion, announced the implementation of an increase to the maximum number of temporary foreign workers (TFWs) Quebec employers in specific sectors – including the agri-food sector – can hire for low-wage positions. Effective Jan. 10, those employers can hire up to 20 per cent – an increase of 10 per cent for the majority of them.

“Quebec employers in the agri-food industry have been hit very hard by the labour shortage,” said Marie-Claude Bibeau, minister of agriculture and agri-food. “Developed in close collaboration between Ottawa and Quebec, this pilot project will allow businesses to recruit more temporary foreign workers and reduce the pressure on their operations.”

This increase is part of a TFW pilot project in partnership with the Government of Quebec announced in August 2021, and also builds on flexibilities to existing advertising and recruitment requirements for specific in-demand occupations, as designated by Quebec, that were implemented on Dec. 6, 2021.

“A critical part of Canada’s economic recovery and long-term growth is a strong workforce. That’s why our government is updating the Temporary Foreign Worker Program to help address labour shortages in Quebec immediately,” Qualtrough said. “We will always work closely with provinces and territories to meet the needs of employers across the country.”

The occupations and sectors selected by Quebec for pilot measures have been identified following consultations with labour market stakeholders, part of the Commission des Partenaires du March<1> du Travail. This was done to ensure that measures included in this pilot project are representative of labour market needs in the province and do not displace opportunities for Canadian workers.