Agreement allows it to bypass Service Canada assessment
Yukon will now have a role in managing the Temporary Foreign Worker Program. An agreement between the federal and territorial governments will provide Yukon with a greater role in helping these workers come to Canada. The territory will be able to recommend the entry of some temporary foreign workers without requiring a Service Canada assessment to look at whether there are Canadians or permanent residents available to fill the vacant positions.
These exemptions will be determined according to criteria set by the territorial government, in line with its economic plans and priorities.
This agreement provides one more tool to address Yukon's labour market opportunities, now and in the future, said Patrick Rouble, Yukon minister of education and minister of energy, mines and resources. "Our first priority is to work with underrepresented groups in Yukon to meet labour force demands and turn to temporary foreign workers when the need arises."
The government of Yukon has a role to play in protecting temporary foreign workers from exploitation and figuring out how immigration can address gaps in its labour market, said Senator Daniel Lang.
"This agreement formally recognizes these roles,” he said. "Today marks an important step in making the Temporary Foreign Worker Program more responsive to Yukon's particular labour needs. Meeting those needs translates into more opportunities for all Yukon residents.”
The agreement is meant to provide a framework for closer co-operation between the two levels of government to better educate employers and potential workers about their rights and responsibilities. Several pilot initiatives are also planned as part of the agreement, designed to respond to region-specific issues concerning temporary foreign workers.
