Canada Moves to Cut Foreign Job Recruitment: Impact on Nigerian Workers Looms

Foreign workers, including thousands of Nigerians, are facing potential job losses in Canada following Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s announcement to tighten restrictions on the hiring of non-Canadian workers. This move comes just two months after the Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) ended a policy that allowed visitors to transition to work permits.

Trudeau revealed the government’s plan on Wednesday through a post on X (formerly Twitter), stating, “We’re going to have fewer temporary foreign workers in Canada.” He emphasized that companies would need to prove they cannot find Canadian workers before recruiting foreigners, signaling a more stringent approach to foreign employment.

This announcement closely follows the termination of the visitor-to-work permit policy, initially introduced in August 2020 in response to COVID-19 travel restrictions. The policy had provided an important pathway for foreign nationals, including many Nigerians, to secure legal work status without needing to leave Canada. Though initially set to expire in February 2025, the IRCC ended the program early in August 2024, citing the growing number of temporary residents and the need to safeguard Canada’s immigration system.

The cancellation of the policy, combined with Trudeau’s new direction, has raised concerns for foreign workers who may find it increasingly difficult to remain employed in Canada. Nigeria ranks as the 10th highest country of birth for new Canadian citizens, with over 71,459 Nigerians having obtained Canadian citizenship between 2005 and 2024. Many more continue to migrate to Canada, contributing to the diverse workforce. However, the recent changes are expected to impact both current foreign workers and prospective immigrants.