Canadian Foreign Worker Streams

Temporary Foreign Worker Program

The Temporary Foreign Worker (TFW) Program allows Canadian employers to hire foreign workers to fill temporary jobs when qualified Canadians are not available.

Temporary Foreign Worker Program Streams

  • Primary Agriculture, including the Seasonal Agricultural Work Program (SWAP)
  • High Wage
  • Low Wage
  • Global Talent

Primary Agriculture Stream

The Temporary Foreign Worker (TFW) Program Through the Primary Agriculture Stream (PAS) of the Temporary Foreign Worker Program (TFWP), the Government of Canada allows companies to recruit temporary foreign agricultural workers in occupations and activities linked to primary agriculture. 

The Immigration and Refugee Protection Regulations (IRPR) define “primary agriculture” as a farm-related activity involving the operation of agricultural machinery or the cultivation or harvesting of plants, animals/animal products. The Primary Agriculture Stream is an umbrella program under which businesses can recruit a TFW from four different streams: the Seasonal Agricultural Worker Program (SAWP), the Agricultural Stream, the Low-Wage Stream, and the High-Wage Stream.

TFWs are in Canada for a maximum of 2 years at any one time, and SAWP workers are in Canada for a maximum of 8 months, although they can return each season. 

Learn more about how UFCW Canada is the union for agricultural workers here. 

Low Wage TFW stream – LMIA

For non-agricultural jobs, employers can hire foreign workers through the Low Wage Temporary Foreign Worker Program. This stream allows employers to hire foreign workers for six months to two years upon completion of a Labour Market Impact Assessment which concludes that no Canadians are available to do the job. 

These work permits are employer-specific permits, that indicate:

  • the name of the employer a person can work for,
  • how long a person can work, and
  • the location where a person can work (if applicable).

A person who holds this type of work permit can only work for the employer for the length of time specified, and if applicable, at the location shown on the permit.

Many jobs in food processing and food manufacturing fall under this category. Learn more about how UFCW is the food processing and food manufacturing union here. 

International Mobility Program

The International Mobility Program allows Canadian employers to hire temporary foreign workers without a Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA). Temporary foreign workers who fall under this classification have Canada Open Work Permits, which allow them to work for any employer.

This includes International Students, and students with Post Graduation Work Permits. UFCW members who belong in this category include our members in the hotel and hospitality industry, food service industry and restaurant industry. 

Know your Rights

Labour rights are human rights, and migrant workers have the same right to join a union as every other worker in Canada. However, agricultural workers are excluded from the same labour rights as other workers in Ontario, and other provinces have placed significant legislative obstacles for agricultural workers. UFCW has been fighting this discriminatory treatment for many years and will continue to fight until change happens.

The union can help to empower workers and fight back against mistreatment by employers. Contact UFCW today to join the union.