Policy Insights

Latest Releases

Recommendations for the Temporary Foreign Worker Program
On November 3, 2009, Canada’s Auditor General, Sheila Fraser, released her Fall Report containing the chapter Selecting Foreign Workers Under the Immigration Program which includes an examination of how the government manages the Temporary Foreign Worker Program. In a recent three-part series investigating Canada’s program for bringing in temporary workers, the Toronto Star points out that the program “has been widely criticized for being poorly monitored and leaving low-skilled migrants vulnerable to abuse.” In July 2009, Maytree released Naomi Alboim’s report Adjusting the Balance: Fixing Canada’s Economic Immigration Policies, proposing a new national vision for economic immigration. Among the 15 recommendations, Ms. Alboim also listed three that dealt with the Temporary Foreign Worker Program.

Fast, Fair and Final: Reforming Canada’s Refugee System – September 2009, by Peter Showler, Director of the Refugee Forum
Making refugee decisions is an incredibly difficult task. To meet this challenge, a reformed system needs to be based on the following three pillars: (1) A good first decision; (2) a reliable appeal; and (3) the prompt removal of failed claimants.” With the proposed changes, refugee claims would be decided in six months, reviewed in four months and removed within three months of a negative appeal decision. The new refugee system would produce accurate and fair decisions, and result in the timely removal of failed claimants.

Adjusting the Balance: Fixing Canada’s Economic Immigration Policies – July 2009, by Naomi Alboim, Maytree Senior Fellow
Canada needs a national vision for economic immigration. A strong, cohesive, long-term vision will help Canada to be competitive in attracting people with the human capital it needs for an innovative, productive and knowledge-based economy. This goal cannot be achieved without fixing Canada’s economic immigration policies. Recent federal policy changes have been reactive and have not given due regard to the root causes of the problems or the cumulative impact. Fixing these policies and enhancing labour market services will help Canada to become the residence of choice for future citizens from around the world and to benefit from their enormous potential.

For all inquiries, please contact policy@maytree.com.