Canadian Government goes strict against LMIA Abuse

In light of events that have come to the Federal Government's notice in Canada, it has explicitly warned the wrongdoers that any abuse of the Temporary Foreign Workers Program (TFWP) will lead to penalization in the form of hefty fines or permanent bans.

Allegations surrounding the carriers accepting the cash for a positive LMIA are an outright abuse of the Labor Market Impact Assessment (LMIA), which is required to hire the foreign workers under the Temporary Foreign Workers Program. To put an end to such abuse, the Employment and Social Development Canada (ESDC) has issued a warning to offenders who attempts to tarnish the spirit of LMIA and the TFWP.

The LMIA process is supervised by the ESDC, whereby an employer in Canada has to prove that there are no Canadians to hire for a job; therefore, a foreigner must fill in the labor requirements. A positive LMIA means that an outsider can be hired for a particular position. The ESDC also issues this positive LMIA through service Canada under the TFWP. The program was launched to address labor shortages in Canada, where the interested immigrants would get a job in Canada. In lieu, Canada will get the desired labor to keep the economy growing.

In the words of ESDC spokeswoman, Marie-Eve Sigouin-Campeau, "Employment and Social Development Canada takes the integrity of the Temporary Foreign Worker Program and the protection of foreign workers very seriously."

Further, she informed that ESDC is well within its power to inspect the employers if they meet the program's conditions through sudden or informed visits. She also said that to protect the foreign workers from possible retribution, the department shall not disclose the specifics of a case that might be under investigation. Another significant development is that the public is in the position to confidentially report any potential abuse of the program through a tip line.

She assured that all the allegations are being investigated seriously. The concerned information is sent to law enforcement agencies like Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) and the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA). The violators are then subjected to heavy penalties that may include a monetary fine of up to $1 million per year, a permanent ban from using the program.

Canada is known for being a law-abiding country that seeks to maintain peace and harmony. It treats all its residents equally, whether they are Canadians or immigrants. Any form of violation and criminal offense is intolerant and strict measures are enforced against any unlawful activity. Therefore, it is and will continue to be the favorite destination for immigrants