Thousands of Nigerians and other foreign nationals in Canada may soon face job insecurity following Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s announcement to reduce the number of temporary foreign workers.
The Prime Minister revealed the new policy direction on Wednesday via a post on X, stating, “We’re going to have fewer temporary foreign workers in Canada.”
He also revealed the government’s intention to implement stricter rules requiring companies to prove they cannot hire Canadian workers first.
This announcement comes just two months after Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) terminated the visitor-to-work permit policy, a measure introduced in August 2020 during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Initially set to expire in February 2025, the policy allowed foreign nationals, including thousands of Nigerians, to obtain work permits without leaving the country.
However, the IRCC ended the policy in August, citing concerns over the growing number of temporary residents and the need to protect the immigration system’s integrity.
The policy change has raised concerns among many foreign workers in Canada, particularly those from Nigeria, who make up a significant portion of the country’s immigrant population.
Between 2005 and 2024, over 71,000 Nigerians became Canadian citizens, placing Nigeria 10th among countries of birth for new Canadians.
The new measures could affect many more Nigerians who continue to migrate to Canada in search of better opportunities.
The Canadian government has reiterated its commitment to recalibrating the number of temporary residents while ensuring the integrity of its immigration system.
With these changes, companies will face heightened scrutiny in hiring foreign workers, which could lead to job losses for many temporary residents.
