Agreement to Help Attract Temporary Foreign Workers to Province

Nova Scotia will be able to respond faster to the needs of employers through the Temporary Foreign Worker Program.

The province has signed an agreement with the federal government that provides Nova Scotia with a greater role in helping employers bring temporary foreign workers to the province.

"Attracting temporary international workers to Nova Scotia will help ensure there is enough skilled labour available for our businesses and industries," said Marilyn More, Minister of Immigration.

"Temporary international workers have technical skills and international contacts our companies and communities need to remain innovative, productive and competitive, the key priorities outlined in government's jobsHere plan to grow the economy."

The provincial government will be able to recommend the entry of some temporary foreign workers without requiring a labour market assessment by Service Canada. The exemptions will be determined according to criteria to be set by the province.

The agreement also provides a framework for closer co-operation between the two levels of government to better educate employers and potential workers about their rights and responsibilities.

"Temporary foreign workers are an essential element of the Canadian economy and it is only right to take steps to protect them from exploitation," said Jason Kenney, Minister of Citizenship, Immigration and Multiculturalism. "We are actively taking those steps, with agreements such as this, and with the new regulations that take effect nationwide on April 1."

"The government of Nova Scotia has a central role in protecting workers, including temporary foreign workers, from mistreatment, and this agreement formally recognizes that role," added Mr. Kenney. "Let me be clear, temporary foreign workers have the same rights as Canadian citizens or permanent residents under provincial labour laws."

A number of interesting and innovative pilot initiatives are included in the agreement. They are designed to respond to region-specific issues with temporary foreign workers, and are aligned with economic and social development priorities of Nova Scotia.

The Temporary Foreign Worker Program is driven by employer demand and aims to fill identified labour shortages where no suitable Canadian workers or permanent residents are available.

The agreement, an annex to the Agreement for Canada-Nova Scotia Co-operation on Immigration, provides a framework for closer co-operation between the two governments to better educate employers and potential workers about their rights and responsibilities.