Newly arrived immigrants and temporary residents in Canada are now better protected thanks to the new measures introduced by the federal government.
Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) introduces three new measures to protect immigrants in various situations:
- Temporary workers facing employer abuse
- Newly arrived immigrants who have experienced domestic violence
- Family reunion for those who have not initially declared close relatives
1. Vulnerable workers
Effective June 4, 2019, immigrant workers who have obtained a work permit to work for a specific employer and are facing abuse on his part are able to apply for an open work permit allowing them to choose an employer.
This change allows the employee to immediately leave the offending employer and find another job without fear of losing his status as a temporary worker in Canada. When an application for an open work permit is approved, the abusing employer will also be subject to verification.
Currently, more than 160 employers have been deemed inappropriate and received a fine or have been prohibited to hire foreign workers.
“No worker should fear losing their job when they are being mistreated on their place of work,” said Immigration Minister Ahmed Hussen.
2. Newly Arrived Immigrants Experiencing Domestic Violence
Effective July 26, 2019, newly arrived immigrants who are victims of domestic violence will be able to apply for temporary resident status without paying fees. They will be granted legal immigration status in Canada, which includes work permits and health care insurance.
The application process will be speeded up for those in extreme situations. The accelerated process of obtaining a temporary residence permit for victims of family violence is available only to foreign citizens in Canada who have not yet received permanent resident status and whose status in Canada depends on their spouse or partner who has committed an act of violence.
3. Family Reunion for Those Who Have Not Initially Declared Close Relatives
When a person applies for immigration to Canada, he must declare all members of his family. The main applicant who failed to declare a family member was given a lifetime ban to sponsor this family member in the future.
Effective September 9, 2019, a two-year pilot project will allow some categories of individuals to sponsor undeclared close relatives. The eligible categories include resettled refugees under protection in Canada and those who are sponsored as a spouse, partner or dependant.
IRCC states that the government is committed to protecting vulnerable people so that they can quit hateful work, family relationships, or reunite with immediate family members.