The illegal sale of jobs through Canada’s Temporary Foreign Worker Program (TFWP) has dropped significantly over the past year, according to Jobs Minister Patty Hajdu, who credits tighter enforcement and policy reforms for the shift.
“I have instructed my officials to make sure that we crack down on fraud in the system in every way,” Hajdu said. “Whether it’s consultants posting jobs that don’t exist, or promising foreign workers opportunities that aren’t real — all of these things need to be taken seriously and cracked down on.”
Between April and September 2025, the number of Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA) applications — a key document required by employers to hire foreign workers — fell by 58%, from 87,167 in 2024 to 37,029 this year. Hajdu said the decline is closely linked to the government’s enforcement efforts, which have targeted those trying to obtain LMIAs for resale on the black market.
Under the TFWP, employers must prove they cannot find Canadians to fill specific jobs before receiving an LMIA, which allows them to hire a foreign worker. However, some groups have exploited the system by illegally selling LMIA-approved positions to prospective immigrants, either inside or outside Canada. These jobs previously offered extra points toward permanent residency, driving up demand.
But that changed in December, when Ottawa removed the additional immigration points linked to LMIA-backed jobs. The federal government also reduced the share of foreign workers companies can hire and limited low-wage positions through the TFWP. Together, these measures have not only lowered overall LMIA applications but also made the illegal sale of job offers less lucrative.
The TFWP remains politically contentious. Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre has called for the program to be scrapped altogether, arguing it floods the labour market with cheap foreign workers and makes it harder for Canadians to find jobs.
Hajdu’s comments suggest the government sees enforcement and program reform — rather than elimination — as the path forward. By curbing fraudulent job sales and tightening access, Ottawa aims to restore integrity to the system while continuing to address legitimate labour shortages.