Maple News reports that Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) has reaffirmed that Canadian employers are required to pay foreign workers even if they do not yet have a Social Insurance Number (SIN). While workers must apply for their SIN within three days of beginning employment, they can legally start work before receiving one. Once the SIN is issued, the employee has three days to provide it to their employer.
The SIN is a unique nine-digit number issued by the Government of Canada that allows individuals to work and access government programs. It is a vital part of Canada’s administrative system and must be safeguarded, as using someone else’s SIN is illegal. Employers need the SIN to fulfill tax reporting and payroll requirements but cannot delay wage payments while waiting to receive it.
This clarification is particularly relevant under programs like the International Mobility Program (IMP), which allows Canadian employers to hire foreign nationals without needing a Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA). Under the IMP, employers must ensure that the job matches the position outlined in the original offer, including responsibilities, wages, and working conditions that are equal or better than those originally promised.
Maple News also emphasizes that employers are obligated to pay foreign workers at least the wage detailed in the job offer. Any deductions must be explicitly included in the offer. Increases in salary that suggest a change in job duties must be carefully evaluated, as they can potentially place the employer in non-compliance, especially if the change would have affected the work permit eligibility at the initial application stage.
Additionally, during mandatory public health quarantine periods — such as the previous 14-day isolation requirements upon arrival — employers were still required to pay the contracted wages for that time. This highlights Canada’s commitment to protecting foreign workers’ rights even in extraordinary circumstances.
To ensure compliance, IRCC can conduct inspections on Canadian employers who hire temporary foreign workers. Employers may be selected for inspection if there is suspicion of non-compliance, a history of violations, or simply at random. These inspections can occur anytime from the first day of employment up to six years after the foreign worker’s permit is issued.
These measures are part of Canada’s broader strategy to ensure transparent, fair treatment for foreign workers and to uphold the integrity of its immigration and work permit programs. Non-compliance can lead to serious consequences for employers, including fines or bans from hiring foreign workers in the future.
Maple News continues to monitor and report on regulatory developments impacting foreign workers and employers across Canada.