Crackdown on abuses in low-wage TFW program won't target farms, feds say

The federal government says a promised crackdown on abuses in the low-wage stream of its temporary foreign workers (TFW) program will not target businesses in the agricultural sector.

Last week, Employment and Workforce Development Minister Randy Boissonnault told business associations the government is considering refusing TFW applications under its low-wage stream. That alarmed some farmers in the Ottawa area who rely on seasonal workers from abroad.

Boissonnault's ministry, Employment and Social Development Canada, said bad actors are misusing the system. One immigration consulting company has singled out the practice of employers filling out fraudulent assessments when asked to demonstrate their need for foreign workers.

Boissonnault said Canada is introducing "more reforms" to stop the misuse and fraud. 

In an emailed statement providing clarification on Tuesday, the ministry said the proposed changes are not seeking to reduce low-wage TFWs in the "primary agriculture sector." 

The 2022 federal budget set aside money for a new foreign labour program for agriculture and fish processing, the department added.