Translate Politics Parliament in plain language.

Employment

Question period focused on the temporary foreign worker program. Conservatives argued the program hurts young Canadian workers’ job prospects, that the government allowed higher use of the program despite rising youth unemployment, and that administering it cost more than expected, asking the government to end the program and stop issuing new permits. Liberal ministers replied that the program requires Canadians to be offered jobs first, that employers are inspected to ensure foreign workers are treated fairly, that its use has declined, and that it remains available for businesses that cannot find local workers. One Liberal member also pointed to a past petition by the member for Saskatoon West to fast-track foreign students.Written by AI from the debate. Updated .

Official text

3 statements

Patty Hajdu

Liberal
“The foreign worker program has three rules. First, Canadians get the first chance at jobs. Second, bosses must treat foreign workers fairly, and we inspect them to be sure. Third, businesses that cannot find local workers can hire from abroad to stay open.”

  • Government answer in Question Period

    Relevance 100 of 100

    Of this answer, 100% addressed the question that was asked.

    See full analysis
Official Hansard

Mr. Speaker, the temporary foreign worker program is administered with three principles. First of all, the program makes sure that any Canadian who wants that job comes first. Second of all, it makes sure that employers that are eligible for temporary foreign workers treat those workers with respect and honour and follow those rules. We have inspectors to make sure that happens. The third principle is to make sure that employers in areas where very tight employment exists can access workers to keep their businesses alive, which is something that many of that member’s colleagues have written to me to expand.

View on ourcommons.ca Grade A+ View analysis

Buckley Belanger

Liberal
“A few years ago, the member for Saskatoon West started a petition to fast-track foreign students. He needs to tell the truth about his stance on immigration, because he is misleading either his voters or the rest of Canada.”

  • Government answer in Question Period

    Relevance 0 of 100

    None of this answer addressed the specific question that was asked.

    See full analysis

  • Government answer in Question Period

    Respect 73 of 100

    This statement targeted a person rather than their actions or views: “the member, he must clarify whom he is misleading”.

    See full analysis
Official Hansard

Mr. Speaker, I want to point out that a couple of years ago the headline was that the Canadian Conservative Party had launched a petition to fast-track students. That was the member for Saskatoon West. He has to come clean regarding the immigration piece. When it comes to the issue for the member, he must clarify whom he is misleading. Is it the voters back in Saskatoon, or the people of Canada?

View on ourcommons.ca Grade F View analysis

Patty Hajdu

Liberal
“The member's numbers are wrong. Businesses are using fewer temporary foreign workers now and are hiring Canadians instead. We made it much harder for employers to hire foreign workers in areas where many Canadians need jobs.”

  • Government answer in Question Period

    Relevance 100 of 100

    Of this answer, 100% addressed the question that was asked.

    See full analysis
Official Hansard

Mr. Speaker, that member’s numbers are quite incorrect. In fact, temporary foreign worker use has declined, so much so that the large corporations that many of his colleagues continue to advocate for are actually now focused entirely on Canadian talent. That is the way it should be, and that is why we have taken these actions. It is much harder for employers to hire temporary foreign workers in regions with high unemployment rates and in regions where people are looking for work. In fact, this work is what we are doing despite the advocacy of many of that person’s colleagues. Maybe they can get their messaging clearer.

View on ourcommons.ca Grade A+ View analysis

Discussion

No comments yet

See the full discussion

Comment rules

More from sitting 127

All 36 items ·
  1. Government Orders Business of Supply 105 statements
  2. Oral Questions The Economy 12 statements
  3. Oral Questions The Economy 14 statements
  4. Oral Questions Climate Change 4 statements
  5. Oral Questions The Economy 2 statements
  6. Oral Questions Employment 6 statements
  7. Oral Questions Indigenous Affairs 2 statements
  8. Oral Questions The Economy 2 statements
  9. Oral Questions Marine Transportation 2 statements
  10. Oral Questions Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship 2 statements
  11. Oral Questions Privilege 3 statements
  12. Oral Questions The Economy 26 statements
  13. Government Orders Business of Supply 40 statements
  14. Oral Questions Small Business 2 statements
  15. Oral Questions Forestry Industry 4 statements
  16. Private Members' Business Arab Heritage Month Act 10 statements
  17. Government Orders Privilege 2 statements
  18. Oral Questions Public Safety 4 statements
  19. Adjournment Proceedings Adjournment Proceedings 4 statements
  20. Adjournment Proceedings Adjournment Proceedings 4 statements