Maple News reports that Quebec is making significant updates to its Temporary Foreign Worker Program (TFWP), aiming to combat acute labour shortages and ease the hiring process for employers across key sectors. The provincial government has added over 30 new occupations to its facilitated processing list, streamlining the recruitment of temporary foreign workers for Quebec employers.
Announced on November 2 by Jean Boulet, Quebec’s Minister of Labour and Acting Minister of Immigration, these changes follow extensive consultations with labour market stakeholders. The newly eligible jobs span multiple industries, including retail, accommodation, food services, and processing — areas that have been particularly hard hit by worker shortages.
The new list stems from a recent agreement with the federal government, which allows for greater flexibility in hiring so-called ‘low-skilled’ workers under the TFWP. This marks a critical shift, as it permits employers additional options to meet their staffing needs without having to go through the full Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA) process for specific roles.
One major reform includes doubling the cap on temporary foreign workers in some businesses from 10% to 20%. Additionally, certain low-wage positions — such as cashiers, front counter servers, and housekeeping staff — will be exempt from standard advertising requirements, expediting the recruitment timeline.
Business groups across Quebec have welcomed the move. Manufacturers and service sector leaders have praised the government’s responsiveness and are urging the federal government to swiftly finalize the agreement, allowing employers to begin hiring under these new terms without delay.
While this effort is a step forward, some stakeholders argue that it’s not enough. Karl Blackburn, CEO of the Conseil du patronat du Québec (Quebec Employers Council), emphasized that a more thorough restructuring of the TFWP is urgently needed to align with Quebec’s current economic realities.
The province has long pushed for greater flexibility within federal immigration and labour programs. Recruiting foreign workers for low-paid roles has traditionally been mired in paperwork and delays. Simplifying and speeding up the process has therefore become a top priority for Quebec’s economic recovery.
These changes are expected to remain in effect through December 2023, pending federal approval — a decision anticipated in the coming weeks. While this won’t solve the labour shortage entirely, provincial officials believe these temporary measures will significantly support businesses in scaling their workforce quickly.
As Quebec continues to face post-pandemic workforce challenges, immigration — particularly temporary foreign labour — is playing an increasingly central role in bridging the gap between available jobs and available talent.