Ottawa strengthens migration measures to prevent abuse
Recently, the Canadian government took a significant step by closing an immigration pathway that had been exploited by malicious actors. In an article published by Le Devoir, Anthony Chiasson-Leblanc, immigration consultant and our General Director, supported this decision. “Over the past two years, the situation had become ridiculous, with IRCC rewarding those who cheated the system,” he told Le Devoir. While this closure is a step forward, Anthony Chiasson-Leblanc stresses the need to reduce processing times for work permits to avoid human tragedies.
Context of the measure
Since August 2020, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) allowed visitors unable to leave Canada due to travel restrictions to apply for a work permit from within the country. However, this temporary policy was exploited to facilitate the illegal entry of foreign workers through false declarations at customs.
Impacts for employers in Quebec
This will not pose any additional problems for employers. On the contrary, it will be a viable and reliable way to manage the international recruitment process. In fact, for employers who recruit directly from abroad through an agency like Equinox, this measure will have no negative consequences. Instead, it will allow them to be more proactive in their recruitment processes, ensuring they follow transparent and legal methods.
Alternatives and solutions
Despite this new restriction, Canada continues to offer programs such as the Temporary Foreign Worker Program (TFWP) and the International Mobility Program (IMP), allowing companies to meet their staffing needs while complying with established legal frameworks.
Conclusion
The measure adopted by Ottawa, as highlighted in Le Devoir’s article, reflects a commitment to preserving the integrity of Canada’s immigration system. It is essential to protect workers’ rights and ensure the integrity of the labor market. Adapting to new regulations and utilizing available legal immigration programs will enable companies to continue benefiting from the valuable contributions of international workers.
For more details, you can read the original article published in Le Devoir here:
Ottawa ferme une porte d’entrée à l’immigration exploitée par des « acteurs malveillants » | Le Devoir
