Multiculturalism and Low-Skill Temporary Foreign Work:Bridging the Policy Gap? A Negative Influence on Canadian Society

Abstract

Canada’s Temporary Foreign Worker Program (TFWP) has been the focus of much public discourse in recent years. This discourse focuses heavily on labour market concerns and often does not encapsulate the program’s effect on Canada’s social society. This paper explores this social impact in greater detail, especially the significance of the program’s expansion to include low-skill work. I find that the use of the program has negatively impacted Canadian perceptions of immigration because its use challenges the fundamental framework of Canada’s successful immigration and multiculturalism policies. Further, it is indicative of an unofficial shift away from long-run immigration towards employer-driven immigration without public approval. These findings are evidenced in a number of specific policy analyses, such as Canada’s Family Reunification policies and Foreign Credential Recognition (FCR).