6 Big Changes Coming to Canada’s Work Permit Rules Soon

In July 2025, new government documents revealed six big changes coming to Canada’s Temporary Foreign Worker (TFW) program. These updates aim to make things easier for employers while giving limited flexibility to migrant workers. The changes affect wages, housing, work permits, and more.

The Temporary Foreign Worker program supports over 106,000 workers and 7,400 employers in Canada. These new plans may impact thousands of people working in agriculture, fish processing, and other key industries.

What Are the 6 Proposed Changes?

The government wants to introduce the following updates:

1. Sector-Specific Work Permits
Workers in agriculture and fish processing may get permits allowing them to switch jobs—but only within the same sector. These permits would last two years. Right now, workers lose their permit if they lose their job. This change could help reduce that risk.

2. Wage Deductions
Employers could deduct more from workers’ wages to pay for housing, transport, and utilities. These deductions might add up to thousands of dollars every year, meaning workers could take home much less pay.

3. Weaker Housing Rules
The government wants to remove rules about indoor temperature at workplaces like greenhouses and fish plants. These rules were meant to protect workers from extreme heat. Many are now worried this will put health and safety at risk.

4. Transport Changes
Employers may have more freedom to decide how workers get to work. Critics worry this could lead to unsafe or unreliable transport—especially in rural areas.

5. Health-Care Concerns
The documents don’t clearly state what health care employers must provide. Workers in remote areas may find it harder to access medical help if rules stay vague.

6. Easier Paperwork for Employers
The government wants to make the process of hiring foreign workers faster. That includes making Labour Market Impact Assessments (LMIA) simpler.

Workers' Group Calls the Plan Weak

The Migrant Rights Network says the new sector-based permits are just a “cosmetic” change. They argue that workers will still feel trapped since they need a new job offer to switch employers. This puts all the power in the hands of employers.

They also say blacklisting could be a problem. If a worker complains or quits, some employers might warn others not to hire them.

Advocates also want permanent residency to be part of the deal. Without it, workers’ legal status remains tied to their job, which makes them more vulnerable.

Syed Hussan, who leads the network, called the reforms “not enough.” He wants open permits and real pathways to stay in Canada long-term.

TFW Program: The Bigger Picture

Canada began the TFW program in 1973 to fill jobs when Canadians wouldn’t or couldn’t. Most workers today still fill low-wage jobs in agriculture, food plants, and care work.

During the pandemic, Canada expanded the program. But recently, it started to limit it again to reduce the number of temporary immigrants.

The program uses closed work permits, which means workers can't leave their job without losing their legal status. That puts many workers in a tough position, especially when working or living conditions are poor.

In 2024, a UN expert called the program a “breeding ground for modern slavery.” That pushed Canada to improve housing and reduce employer control. But the latest changes seem to roll back some protections.

What Comes Next?

The government finished collecting feedback from workers, employers, and advocates. Now, they are reviewing it before making the final decision. No date has been set.

Many believe a better system needs input from everyone—workers, employers, unions, and government officials.

Some want Canada to test open work permits and give permanent residency to long-term workers. Others ask for better transport, health care, and housing to be part of the solution.

Migrant workers say they’re not asking for favors. They just want fair treatment and respect.