Thousands of Nigerians and other foreign workers in Canada may soon face job losses as Prime Minister Justin Trudeau announced new plans to reduce the number of temporary foreign workers in the country. This announcement follows the recent ending of a visitor-to-work permit policy by the Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC).
In a post shared on X, Trudeau stated, βWe’re going to have fewer temporary foreign workers in Canada,β adding that companies will now need to show why they cannot hire Canadian workers first. This shift aims to prioritize Canadian job seekers amid growing concerns about the number of foreign workers in the country.
This decision comes just two months after the IRCC ended a policy that allowed visitors stranded in Canada due to COVID-19 travel restrictions to apply for work permits. Originally set to expire in February 2025, the policy provided many foreigners, including Nigerians, a pathway to gain legal work status without leaving the country. The government has now opted to terminate it early, citing the need to maintain the integrity of Canada’s immigration system.
According to government data, over 71,459 Nigerians became Canadian citizens between 2005 and 2024, with many more still migrating to Canada. This number places Nigeria as the tenth largest country of birth for new Canadian citizens. While newcomers come from at least 196 countries, the top ten countries account for nearly half of all new citizens.
The tightening of rules comes as Canada aims to manage the number of temporary residents more effectively, reflecting ongoing discussions about immigration and job security in the country.
As these changes unfold, many foreign workers and their families are left uncertain about their future in Canada.
