Temporary Foreign Workers Program being strengthened to fix problems, says McLeod

NEWS/ POLITICS — The temporary foreign workers program is being strengthened to eliminate abuses, says Kamloops-Thompson-Cariboo MP Cathy McLeod.

McLeod, who is parliamentary secretary for labour, said during debate in the House of Commons on Tuesday “there be serious consequences, including jail time, for those who try to use it in ways it was never meant for.”

The government last week slapped a moratorium on access to the program by the food services sector.

The MP said changes are being made to ensure Canadians get the first chance at available jobs as well as to ensure fair treatment of foreign workers, including wages.

“We have ensured employers maintain a workplace free from abuse, a safe and secure working environment for foreign workers who are here under the program.”

A processing fee puts more costs onto employers, she said. New conditions provide for inspections of employers using the program, who can be blacklisted for those who abuse it.

NDP MP Nathan Cullen said the program has had serious problems since 2009. “What took the government so long?” he asked McLeod.

“For over five years the government has known that the program has been abused. Suddenly the government has found religion on this issue and I cannot help but think it is connected to the headlines that have suddenly hit the newspapers about the most egregious abuses.”

McLeod called opposition members criticizing the program “hypocritical.”

Opposition politicians have been asking for foreign workers for businesses in their own ridings while crying foul about the program that makes them available, said McLeod.

She said that when opposition MPs make such requests they often do so for businesses that could not demonstrate that Canadians weren’t available.

“I would remind the opposition that the point of using the temporary foreign work program is to be temporary only until Canadians are found, not in place of them.”

She said Jason Kenney, Minister of Employment and Social Development, has taken fast action on allegations of abuses of the program.

“Canadians must always be first in line for the available jobs.” She said employers can attract more Canadian workers by raising wages.