By: DAVE CALPITO
Canada is making it easier for family members of Temporary Work Permit holders to work in the country.
In order to address labor shortages in Canada, as well as to promote workers' well-being and family unity, the country will soon allow family members of temporary foreign workers to obtain work permits. Canada will specifically expand the eligibility to work in this country not only to the spouse of the principal applicant, but also to his or her working-age children.
This news about family work permits was announced by the Minister of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Honorable Sean Fraser along with the Minister of Tourism and Associate Minister of finance Honorable Randy Boissonnault.
According to Canada.ca, this two-year temporary measure with three phases will begin in January 2023. The good news is that this new measure applies to workers of all skill levels. Prior to this announcement, spouses of the principal applicant could only apply for a work permit if the latter worked in a high-skilled occupation.
According to Canadian Immigration, one of the primary goals of this measure is to improve the physical health, emotional well-being, and financial stability of temporary workers while their families remain with them. This would allow them to better integrate into the overall work environment and community.
Furthermore, this is considered as advantageous to employers.
"Today’s announcement will help employers find the workers they need to fill their labour gaps by expanding work permits to family members at all skill levels," said Fraser.
The government anticipates that approximately 200,000 foreign employees' families will benefit from this new measure.
Phased implementation
This measure will be implemented in three phases, which include:
Phase 1: Family members could apply through the Temporary Foreign Worker Program or the International Mobility Program's high-wage stream.
Phase 2: In this phase, eligibility is extended to family members of people in the Temporary Foreign Worker Program's low-wage stream.
Phase 3: Following consultations with stakeholders and partners in the agricultural industry, the measure will be expanded to include family members of agricultural workers.
Boissonnault describes this approach as "innovative, family-based solutions" that might benefit both families and tourism partners.
Between January and October 2022, the country issued around 645,000 work permits.
