A recent international report has described Canada’s temporary foreign worker program as a “breeding ground” for modern slavery. The final report by UN special rapporteur Tomoya Obokata, who visited Canada last year, highlights a significant power imbalance that impedes workers from exercising their rights. The report reveals that workers’ status is tied to specific employers through closed work permits, making them vulnerable to deportation if they are dismissed. Many workers face various forms of abuse and are often unaware of their rights, a situation exacerbated by the government’s reliance on employers to inform workers about their entitlements.
Obokata’s report cites issues such as wage theft, excessively long working hours with limited breaks, and inadequate personal protective equipment. It also documents instances of sexual harassment, exploitation, and physical, emotional, and verbal abuse. Access to healthcare is another major concern, with some employers reportedly obstructing workers from seeking medical treatment or denying them necessary time off, often advising them to rely on painkillers or home remedies instead.
The report notes recent changes to regulations that, since 2022, require employers to make reasonable efforts to ensure workers have access to healthcare when ill or injured. However, it also points out that many employers provide housing for workers, which can lead to overcrowded conditions, such as 20 to 30 people sharing a single washroom. The report calls on Canada to end labor migration practices that create exploitative dependency by linking workers’ housing, healthcare, and employment status to their employers.
The number of permits issued under the program surged by 88 percent from 2019 to 2023, though the Canadian government has recently indicated a plan to reduce this number. Mathis Denis, spokesperson for Employment Minister Randy Boissonnault, stated that the government has increased fines for non-compliance with program rules, with $2.1 million in fines imposed last fiscal year, up from $1.54 million the previous year. Denis also mentioned that the minister is considering raising fees to fund additional integrity and processing activities and is exploring new regulations to address employer eligibility.
