Family Work Permits to Tackle Labour Shortages in Canada
From: Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada
Government Initiative to Support Economic Recovery
Canada’s swift economic recovery has posed challenges for employers, particularly in sectors like tourism, in securing necessary staff.
On December 2, 2022, in Edmonton, Ministers Sean Fraser and Randy Boissonnault announced an extension of work permits to include family members of temporary foreign workers. This expansion aims to ease labour shortages by enabling employers to access a broader pool of potential workers.
Previously, spouses of foreign workers could only obtain work permits if the principal worker held a high-skill position. This new, temporary measure allows families to stay united, enhancing workers’ well-being and integration into Canadian society.
Phased Implementation of Work Permit Expansion
Starting in January 2023, a temporary 2-year measure will broaden work permit eligibility to spouses and working-age children of workers at all skill levels, including healthcare, trades, and hospitality. This could lead to over 200,000 family members being eligible to work in Canada.
Three-Phase Approach
- Phase 1: Family members of high-wage Temporary Foreign Worker Program and International Mobility Program participants can apply for open work permits.
- Phase 2: After consultations, the program will extend to families of low-wage stream workers.
- Phase 3: Consultations with agricultural partners will determine the feasibility of including families of agricultural workers.
Immigration remains a key solution to Canada’s labour shortages, and the government is committed to policies that support employers across all skill levels.
Statements from Government Officials
“Employers across the country cite a lack of workers as their main hurdle. Today’s announcement will help fill labour gaps by extending work permits to family members of over 200,000 foreign workers. Our government will continue to assist employers in overcoming labour shortages while supporting workers’ well-being and family unity.”
– The Honourable Sean Fraser, Minister of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship
“Labour shortages are the top challenge for Canada’s tourism sector’s post-pandemic growth. Our government is introducing family-based solutions to help tourism partners meet global demand for Canadian experiences.”
– The Honourable Randy Boissonnault, Minister of Tourism and Associate Minister of Finance
Important Information
- The initiative will start with the high-wage stream of the Temporary Foreign Worker Program and the International Mobility Program.
- Between January and October 2022, over 645,000 work permits were issued, nearly quadrupling the 163,000 permits from the same period in 2021.
Additional Resources
Contact Information
Media Inquiries:
Bahoz Dara Aziz
Press Secretary, Minister’s Office
Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada
Bahoz.DaraAziz@cic.gc.ca
Media Relations
Communications Branch
Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada
613-952-1650
media@cic.gc.ca
FAQ
What is the goal of the family work permit initiative?
The initiative aims to reduce labour shortages by allowing family members of temporary foreign workers to work in Canada, enhancing family unity and worker integration.
When will the work permit expansion start?
The phased implementation will begin in January 2023 and last for two years.
Who is eligible for the new work permit measures?
Spouses and working-age children of foreign workers across all skill levels, including those in health care, trades, and hospitality, will be eligible.
How many foreign worker families will benefit from this measure?
It is estimated that over 200,000 family members of foreign workers could gain work opportunities in Canada.
How will the phased approach work?
The approach will start with high-wage workers, extend to low-wage workers, and later consider agricultural workers after consultations.
Learn more about our immigration guide to explore further opportunities.
