Document Details

2009-10-23

Martha Ocampo

The Toronto Star

Re:Questions remain on foreign workers,

Editorial, Oct. 16

The Star failed to give the full story on the new changes heralded by the federal government to "protect" workers coming into Canada under the temporary foreign worker program. Instead of exposing the draconian new measures that only entrench a more vulnerable and disposable workforce in Canada, the Star chose to congratulate the federal government.

The federal government plans to on one hand bring workers into Canada to work for four years and then after workers have put in their time bar these same workers from coming back to Canada for a minimum of six years. Workers could be denied entry at the border if an immigration officer decides their job offer is not genuine or if they have been scammed by a Canadian employer.

These changes do not provide protection to temporary foreign workers, rather they make their status in Canada even more precarious. Prohibiting abusive employers from hiring workers for two years fails to address the reality that if workers are tied to one employer and are denied full immigration status, how can they speak out against widespread violations without risking deportation?

The Star's editorial is correct in stating the temporary foreign worker program creates a here today, gone tomorrow workforce, but wrong in the direction of its questioning. The Star suggests temporary foreign workers are stealing Canadian jobs, when in fact these workers are doing the back-breaking jobs that few Canadians will ever do, for low wages and under difficult working conditions. Temporary foreign workers deserve real protection, starting with permanent residence status on arrival.

Martha Ocampo, Coalition for Change, Caregivers and Temporary Foreign Workers

Agriculture and horticulture workers, Occupations in services - Domestic work, Sales and service occupations - general, Trades, transport and equipment operators and related occupations - general, Natural resources, agriculture and related production occupations - general, Labourers in food, beverage and associated products processing, Dancers, and Other

Policy analysis

Public awareness

Canada, Ontario, Alberta, Manitoba, Quebec, British Columbia, Other provinces, Federal, Nova Scotia, and National relevance

English