May 31, 2019 – Vulnerable Canada immigration candidates and temporary residents are set to better protected by a number of new measures being introduced by the federal government.
Canada’s federal government has announced action aimed at protecting vulnerable workers and new immigrants.
Between now and September 9, 2019, three new measures will be introduced by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada to help protect immigrants in different situations:
- Vulnerable workers.
- Newcomers who face family abuse.
- To help newcomers sponsor family members that they did not initially declare.
Immigration Minister Ahmed Hussen said: “Newcomers who failed to declare immediate family members as they first came to Canada were barred to sponsor them. Today, we right that wrong.
“No worker should fear losing their job when they are being mistreated in their place of work. No partner should be more fearful of losing their immigration status instead of escaping abuse.
“Today, we say, fear no more.”
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1) Vulnerable workers
Starting June 4, 2019, migrant workers on an employer-specific work permit facing an abusive job situation in Canada will be able to apply for an open work permit.
The change will allow the worker to leave the abusive employer immediately and find another job without fear of losing their status.
When an application is approved for an open work permit for a vulnerable worker, the employer will also face an inspection.
To date, more than 160 employers have been found non-compliant and received a monetary penalty and/or a ban on hiring foreign workers.
Cases that involve potentially criminal behaviour are referred to Canada Border Services Agency or the appropriate police force.
2) Newcomers who face family abuse
Starting July 26, 2019, newcomers who are victims of family violence can apply for a fee-exempt temporary resident permit to give them legal immigration status in Canada. The status includes a work permit and health care coverage.
IRCC is also expediting the process for those in urgent family violence situations who apply for permanent residence on humanitarian and compassionate grounds.
The expedited temporary resident permit process for victims of family violence is only available to foreign nationals in Canada who have not yet obtained their permanent residence and whose status in Canada is dependent on their abusive spouse or partner.
It is not available to foreign nationals outside Canada.
3) To help newcomers sponsor family members that they did not initially declare
When a person applies to immigrate to Canada, they are required to declare all of their family members.
The consequence for failing to declare a family member is a lifetime bar on the principal applicant being able to sponsor that family member in the future.
As of September 9, 2019, a 2-year pilot project will allow certain people to sponsor undeclared immediate family members.
The people who qualify to do this include resettled refugees, those conferred refugee protection in Canada or those sponsored as a spouse, partner or dependent child.
Applications that are already in process will also benefit from this pilot project.
An IRCC statement said: “The government is committed to protecting vulnerable people so they can leave abusive work or family relationships, or reunite with immediate family members.”
Interested employers: Kindly contact us here to receive further information.
Interested candidates: Find out whether you qualify to Canada by completing our free on-line evaluation. We will provide you with our evaluation within 1-2 business days.
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