(Ottawa) A recently released international report says Canada’s temporary foreign worker program is a “breeding ground” for modern-day slavery.
The outcome document of a UN special rapporteur who visited Canada last year highlights that a power imbalance prevents workers from exercising their rights.
The status of workers depends on a closed work permit specific to an employer. If people are fired, they can be deported from Canada.
The report says workers are subjected to a wide range of abuses and are not always aware of their rights.
He adds that they also have difficulty accessing health care and that in some cases their employers have prevented them from seeking treatment.
The number of permits issued under the temporary foreign worker program increased by 88 per cent between 2019 and 2023, although Ottawa recently announced plans to reduce the number of applications accepted.