04:05 PM EDT, 08/20/2024 (MT Newswires) -- The Temporary Foreign Worker (TFW) Program remains an "important pillar" of Canada's labour market and any changes to it should be made with consideration of the needs of small businesses, the Canadian Federation of Independent Business said Tuesday.

According to a CFIB statement, TFWs are paid the prevailing wage set by the government. CFIB cited Employment and Social Development Canada (ESDC) as saying the vast majority (85%) are paid at the same rate as Canadian workers in the same roles. CFIB noted that employers who use the program report that their TFWs help them stay in business (89%), retain current employees (70%) and hire more Canadians (44%). "Some would close their doors, and shed Canadian workers, if it weren't for their foreign workers," Dan Kelly, CFIB's President, added in the statement.

This comes amid reports that the federal government has approved a Quebec government request to impose a six-month pause on new applications to the low-wage stream of the temporary foreign worker program in Montreal. There are exemptions for several sectors, including food processing and construction.

The pause on new applications and renewals will take effect on September 3.

CFIB said the government is in its right to adjust the program in response to evolving labour market needs, as it did in 2022 in the wake of the pandemic. "However," it added, "those changes need to be considered more carefully and should not unfairly penalize the vast majority of employers who follow the rules and treat their TFWs with respect."

The Globe and Mail newspaper noted government records show Ottawa approved 83,643 temporary foreign worker positions in the low-wage stream in 2023, up from 28,121 in 2019, prior to the pandemic.

It cited Quebec's Immigration Minister Christine Frechette saying the low-wage stream applies to jobs that pay below $27 an hour. She said employers affected by the changes could choose to pay workers above that rate if they wish to renew a work permit.

It also cited Quebec Premier Francois Legault saying the six-month pause would only apply to about 3,500 workers filling low-wage jobs on the island of Montreal. During a Tuesday news conference in Montreal, Legault acknowledged that this represents only a small fraction of Quebec temporary residents, which he said number about 600,000 in total.

Legault reportedly reiterated claims that temporary residents, including foreign workers and students, put a strain on the province's health and social services and contribute to the housing crisis. He also said they threaten the French language, particularly in Montreal.