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With the new Express Entry program launching in Canada next year, Workpermit.com is providing a review of the forthcoming changes. The new immigration system is very different to the current Temporary Foreign Worker Program, The main differences between the two programs are detailed below.Temporary Foreign Worker Program
The Temporary Foreign Worker program has been used extensively by Canadian employers, as it enables them to quickly recruit foreign workers from abroad. This has particularly been the case in Alberta and Western Canada where Energy and Mining industries are booming at the moment.
The Temporary Foreign Worker Program has come under some criticism. There have been claims that some employers have recruited large numbers of people from overseas instead of Canadian workers, in order to maximise profits.
Liberal Critic for Citizenship, Immigration, and Multiculturalism, John McCallum said that the Temporary foreign Worker Program has 'failed to achieve its original objective of filling jobs when qualified Canadian workers cannot be found'
He added: 'Between 2005 and 2012, the number of short-term foreign workers in this country more than doubled, with nearly as many temporary foreign workers being admitted in 2012 as there were permanent residents. Should this continue, temporary worker entries will outnumber permanent resident entries by 2015'
However, the Canadian Federation of Independent Business (CFIB) leader, Dan Kelly argues that the Temporary Foreign Worker program is an essential Canadian immigration entry route. Most migrants on this program end up staying for a minimum of six to eight years on average.
He adds that 'Canada was built by people who decided to take a chance, come here and work hard to make a new life for themselves and their families.'
Express Entry
The Federal and Provincial governments new Express Entry program will make it more difficult to bring in workers to Canada.
McCallum says that the new program 'must require employers to demonstrate that every effort has been made to fill positions with Canadian workers and young Canadian workers in particular; and finally, the government should tighten the Labour Market Opinion approval process.'
Canadian Immigration says that the overall aim of the new program is to ensure that foreign workers are only recruited when there are no available Canadians, and that the right workers are allocated to the right jobs. Candidates will be added to a pool of applicants, with employers then able to select the best migrants based on a points system.
