As Canada prepares to co-host the FIFA World Cup 26™ from June 11 to July 19 together with the United States and Mexico, the Temporary Foreign Worker Program (TFW Program) encourages employers to plan accordingly and use all the relevant resources made available by the Government of Canada to ensure they have sufficient staffing in place for this event.
At this time, the TFW Program will not be introducing any special measures related to the FIFA World Cup 26™. The TFW Program is designed as an extraordinary and temporary measure to be used to fill short-term labour market gaps when qualified Canadians and permanent residents are unavailable.
Measures are currently in place for low-wage positions to reduce employers’ reliance on the TFW Program. These include:
- a refusal to process Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA) applications where the work location is in a census metropolitan area with an unemployment rate of 6% or higher; and,
- a cap of 10% of the total workforce at a given work location.
These measures will remain in full effect during the FIFA World Cup 26™.
As a reminder, exemptions are provided for short-duration positions generally of 120 calendar days or less in duration that are:
- truly temporary, meaning for a specific short-term period or singular event where the position won’t be filled after the worker leaves the country; or,
- highly mobile, meaning part of a workforce that regularly crosses jurisdictional boundaries (for example, provincial or territorial and/or international).
Please consult the TFW Program website for more information on exemptions in certain sectors for low-wage positions, and the IRCC website for information on what is needed to enter Canada to attend or work at the FIFA World Cup 26™.
To support employers who may have an increased need for short-term labour in Toronto and Vancouver, we want to remind you that the Government of Canada has initiatives in place to help respond to this possible need by supporting the recruitment of a diverse and talented Canadian workforce, including youth and persons with disabilities during the summer months.
- The ESDC Youth Employment and Skills Strategy (YESS) Program supports youth (aged 15 to 30) in overcoming barriers to employment, with a focus on those furthest from opportunity. The YESS Program provides youth with quality employment opportunities in a variety of sectors, which may include tourism and hospitality. Additional information on Toronto and Vancouver-based organizations currently receiving funding through the YESS Program can be made available through a request sent to the following address: ESDC.YESS-SCEJ.EDSC@hrsdc-rhdcc.gc.ca.
- The Opportunities Fund for Persons with Disabilities is one example of a program working to support persons with disabilities. Through this program, the government funds several organizations that offer various support measures to help persons with disabilities succeed in the labour market.
We also encourage you to visit Job Bank, where you can post opportunities and access resources including:
- The Available Workers Dashboard – this dashboard provides real time information on over 750,000 Canadian workers by occupation type and location.
- Job Bank for Employers – a free job posting service connects you with workers from the Available Worker Dashboard and helps you recruit qualified Canadian workers quickly and efficiently.
You are encouraged to share this communication throughout your respective networks, and with any colleagues or peers who may need to be aware of this information. If you have questions on the TFW Program, please visit Canada.ca or reach out to the Employer Contact Centre.
The Temporary Foreign Worker Program
Employment and Social Development Canada
Thank you for raising awareness among your field agents, as well as the TFWs and their employers, about the measures, rights, and responsibilities of all parties involved.
