The program has been heavily criticized after a consortium of Chinese companies announced plans last fall to use only Chinese nationals for proposed underground coal mines in B.C.
Employers will have to make a greater effort to hire Canadians before they can apply for TFW permits, "including increasing the length and reach of advertising," according to Thursday's federal budget.
Employers using foreign workers will also be given help to "ensure that they have a plan to transition to a Canadian workforce over time."
And the government will amend the Immigration and Refugee Protection Regulations to ensure companies can't require job applicants to speak a language other than French or English.
There have been several media reports indicating that the Chinese coal companies sought workers who spoke Mandarin.
"The government will also propose to introduce user fees for employers applying for temporary foreign workers through the labour market opinion process so that these costs are no longer absorbed by taxpayers," the budget stated.
Officials who briefed reporters before the budget was tabled were unable to provide specifics on the proposed changes as a result of the program review, announced in late 2012 during the height of the controversy.
Original Article
Source: canada.com
Author: Peter O'Neil
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