Temporary Foreign Workers’ Support Services Business, Employment and Training Services Calgary Catholic Immigration Society Temporary Foreign Workers’ Support Services Our Community. Our Future. Funded by:

Business, Employment and Training Services Our Community. Our Future. Historical Background Temporary Foreign Workers’ Support Program  1970’s -Seasonal Agricultural Workers & Live-in CG -Highly Skilled Professionals -Low Skilled Workers  TFWs in Alberta : 2005 vs  Setting up of Advisory Offices  Funding of Immigrant Serving Agencies

Business, Employment and Training Services Our Community. Our Future. Temporary Foreign Workers’ Support Program How Does The Program Work? HRSDC / Service Canada - Processes LMO applications Citizenship and Immigration Canada - Processes Work Permit applications Canadian Borders Service Agency - Has the final say on who may enter Canada.

Business, Employment and Training Services Our Community. Our Future. CCIS’ Role Temporary Foreign Workers’ Support Program Mandate: Orientation, Information and Referral Outreach Interpretation Supportive counseling

Business, Employment and Training Services Our Community. Our Future. Temporary Foreign Workers’ Support Program Challenges 1.Language Barrier 2.Restricted Work Permit Employment Rights Employment Insurance - laid off workers -pregnancy Health Related Issues

Business, Employment and Training Services Our Community. Our Future. Temporary Foreign Workers’ Support Program Challenges Workers’ Compensation Board Income Support/Career Mobility 3.Nature of the Program Susceptible to being abused Limited pathways to permanent residency for semi-skilled workers

Business, Employment and Training Services Our Community. Our Future. Temporary Foreign Workers’ Support Program How is the Government Addressing the Issues? 1.Open Work Permits to Working-Age Dependent Children of Skilled Workers 2.Open Work Permit to Spouses of Long Haul Truck Drivers 3.Temporary Work Permit for AINP Nominee and open work permit for the spouse

Business, Employment and Training Services Our Community. Our Future. Temporary Foreign Workers’ Support Program How is the Government Addressing the Issues? (con’t) Province-wide discussion  Impact of TFW Program  Recommendation 1.Expanding pathways for permanent residency for low and semi- skilled workers, increase allocation for AINP 2.Gov’t of Alberta should ensure rights of TFWs are recognized and upheld by employers and communities. 3.Gov’t of Alberta should support and encourage inclusive and engaged community initiatives throughout the province 4.Gov’t of Alberta should ensure that the rights and responsibilities are communicated to TFWs and Employers as well as the services available to them.

Business, Employment and Training Services Our Community. Our Future. Temporary Foreign Workers’ Support Program How is the Government Addressing the Issues? (con’t) Regulatory Changes by CIC  A thorough assessment of the genuineness of the job offer  Employers who fail to meet the employment terms will be ineligible to hire TFWs for two years; names posted at CIC  A four-year limit on the length of time some TFWs may work in Canada then they go back to their country of origin

Business, Employment and Training Services Our Community. Our Future. Temporary Foreign Workers’ Support Program What Needs To Be Done? Lifting of the Employer Restriction on Work Permits Open Work Permit for Spouses under ALL Occupations Hiring of Inland Foreign Workers before Hiring from Outside Expanding the options for semi-skilled TFWs to obtain permanent residency *** Following Manitoba’s Worker Recruitment and Protection Act

Business, Employment and Training Services Our Community. Our Future. CalgaryHigh RiverOkotoksBanffBrooks North East South West CCIS TFW Program Temporary Foreign Workers’ Support Program

Business, Employment and Training Services Our Community. Our Future. Temporary Foreign Workers’ Support Services “We invited guest workers, and got human beings” By Max Frisch. Quoted in International Labour Office, “Towards a Fair Deal for Migrant Workers in the Global Economy”

Business, Employment and Training Services Our Community. Our Future. Temporary Foreign Workers’ Support Program