The Government of Canada announced on October 6, 2025, that the use of the Temporary Foreign Worker Program (TFWP) has significantly decreased, while enforcement actions and penalties against non-compliant employers have been strengthened.

Prioritizing Canadian Employment: LMIA as a “Last Resort”
The government reaffirmed that the TFWP should only be used as a last resort when no qualified Canadians or permanent residents are available to fill a position.
Employers using the program are required to continue recruitment efforts within Canada before and during the application process.
Currently, foreign workers under the TFWP represent only about 1% of Canada’s total workforce, yet they play a vital role in key sectors such as agriculture, food processing, construction, and healthcare.

LMIA Applications Drop by Nearly Half
Since new measures were introduced in September 2024 to reduce dependence on temporary foreign workers, the number of applications submitted under the TFWP has dropped by 50% overall, and by 70% in low-wage occupations.
The government says these results reflect successful efforts to prioritize domestic labour and promote sustainable employment practices.

Stronger Penalties: Fines Up to $1 Million for Non-Compliant Employers
Enforcement has been stepped up against employers found to be violating program rules.
In the 2024–2025 fiscal year, Employment and Social Development Canada (ESDC) conducted 1,435 inspections, with approximately 10% resulting in confirmed violations.
Total fines imposed reached over $4.8 million, more than double the previous year’s total of $2 million.
Additionally, 36 employers were temporarily or permanently banned from the program—three times more than in the previous year.

Examples of recent penalties include:

• $212,000 fine and 2-year ban for an agricultural employer
• $161,000 fine and 5-year ban for a construction company
• $150,000 fine for a long-haul trucking employer
• $1 million fine and 10-year ban for a seafood company — the largest penalty ever issued under the program

The list of sanctioned employers is publicly available on the Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) website.

Strengthened Whistleblower System Allows Anonymous Reporting
To better protect foreign workers, the government has expanded its anonymous reporting system.
Workers and members of the public can report suspected violations online or by phone, without revealing their identity. Employers will not be notified that a report has been filed.
These measures aim to ensure that all workers in Canada—regardless of their immigration status—are treated fairly and work in safe conditions.

Future Direction of the TFWP
The federal government plans to continue strengthening the TFWP by targeting specific sectors and regions with genuine labour shortages, while upholding the program’s integrity and protecting workers’ rights.