Canada's Government and Saskatchewan working together to improve the temporary foreign worker program

The Honourable Monte Solberg, Minister of Human Resources and Social Development, and the Honourable Rob Norris, Saskatchewan Minister of Advanced Education, Employment and Labour, announced that Canada's Government and the Government of Saskatchewan are working together on several fronts to make improvements to the Temporary Foreign Worker Program.

"Our government is helping employers deal with skilled labour shortages and making sure that Canadian consumers continue to have access to the goods and services they need with the help of temporary foreign workers," said Minister Solberg. "Our work with the Government of Saskatchewan will ensure that foreign workers continue to enjoy the same rights and protections as Canadian workers."

"Saskatchewan has one of the nation's fastest growing economies right now. To help ensure we have the workforce necessary to build on that momentum, we're taking an aggressive approach to immigration," said Minister Norris. "The changes we are announcing will help to address skills shortages in the hospitality sector and to ensure the protection of temporary foreign workers, who play such a vital role in this and other industries. We're pleased to work with the federal government and our industry partners on meeting Saskatchewan's growing labour market needs."

Improvements to the federal Temporary Foreign Worker Program include strengthening protections for temporary foreign workers and improving outreach and communications with both employers and temporary foreign workers.

"I am pleased that both governments are developing new and improved publications in several different languages, some of which are already available at local Service Canada Centres and online. We are also working together on outreach activities to ensure that not only workers know their rights but also that employers know their responsibilities when hiring a foreign worker in Saskatchewan and across Canada,"” concluded Minister Solberg.

The federal and provincial governments will support the protection of temporary foreign workers by providing them with information on labour standards, occupational health and safety and work-related rights and responsibilities. Outreach activities will also be directed at employers to help ensure they understand their responsibilities and to build understanding around the process for hiring temporary foreign workers.

Saskatchewan is the fourth province to join the federal government's efforts to facilitate information sharing on these important labour issues. The Government has already entered into similar negotiations with Manitoba, British Columbia and Alberta.

The Government of Saskatchewan has initiated a project under the Saskatchewan Immigrant Nominee Program (SINP) to enable temporary foreign workers in the hospitality sector to apply for nomination. The project will expand eligibility beyond professional occupations and skilled trades to include hotel housekeeping staff and food and beverage servers working in Saskatchewan on temporary work permits.