Skilled Workers in Quebec Face Deportation Amid TFW Rule Changes: A Crisis for Employers and Families
Laval, Quebec — A group of seven certified welders employed by a long-standing Quebec manufacturing firm are facing potential deportation due to sudden policy changes in Canada’s Temporary Foreign Worker (TFW) Program, sparking alarm across industries dependent on skilled international talent.
What’s the Issue? Skilled Welders Facing Removal from Canada
Seven employees at Airex Industries, a pollution control systems manufacturer in Laval, have been thrust into legal limbo. Their work permits are close to expiring, and their applications for renewal are no longer eligible under new federal rules that took effect in November 2024.
The employer, a company operating since 1975 and employing nearly 90 workers, is warning of severe disruptions to production if the skilled welders are deported.
What Changed in the TFW Program in 2025?
In November 2024, the Canadian government revised TFW Program guidelines to prioritize local hiring—especially in regions with 6% or higher unemployment.
Key new rules include:
- Wage Hike Requirement: Employers must now pay at least 20% more than the regional median wage to TFWs. In Drummondville, near Laval, this means $33/hour for welders—a sharp increase.
- Tighter LMIA Standards: Labour Market Impact Assessments (LMIAs) now face stricter scrutiny. Without meeting wage thresholds or justifying labor shortages, employers face automatic rejections.
- Policy Shift Goal: Reduce the temporary resident population from 7% to 5% by 2026, as outlined in Canada’s 2025–2027 Immigration Levels Plan.
Impact on Quebec’s Employers: Business at Risk
Airex Industries’ president, Tony Vasilakos, expressed frustration, explaining that these foreign workers are not easily replaceable.
“It’s not just about filling a job. These are CWB-certified welders, trained for specific tasks. We’re not finding local candidates with that level of qualification,” he said.
Like Airex, many Quebec companies in manufacturing, agriculture, and healthcare depend on temporary foreign workers to fill gaps that local labor can’t cover.
Recent immigration policy updates have compounded this issue:
- Suspension of low-wage LMIA applications in Montreal and Laval until November 30, 2025
- Reduced number of eligible occupations for simplified LMIA processing from 267 to 76
Who Are the Workers Affected?
Among those facing deportation is Fabian Molano, a welder from Colombia, employed under a closed work permit that ties him to Airex.
“I’m stressed. I’ve built a life here. My job, my friends, my future are all in Canada,” said Molano.
These individuals are not newcomers—they are deeply embedded in their communities and critical to their workplace operations.
Why Quebec Can’t Just Hire Locally
Despite higher unemployment rates in some regions, Quebec faces a skill mismatch:
- Welding is a specialized trade, requiring Canadian Welding Bureau (CWB) certification.
- An aging workforce and decline in vocational trade interest among youth have deepened the shortage.
- Many unemployed locals do not possess the necessary credentials to fill skilled roles like welding.
Wider Implications for Quebec’s Immigration Policy
The current TFW restrictions are part of a broader immigration tightening across Quebec:
- Recruitment missions suspended until mid-2025 (e.g., Journées Québec)
- Key pathways to permanent residency closed (PEQ Graduate and Skilled Worker streams suspended until June 30, 2025)
- 25% country cap on skilled worker invitations until October 9, 2025
Michel Leblanc, President of the Montreal Chamber of Commerce, warns:
“We’re undoing years of progress in skilled worker recruitment. These policy shifts are short-sighted.”
What Can Be Done? Pathways and Potential Solutions
Immediate Actions:
- Exemptions for sectors with proven shortages (like certified welding)
- Extension of work permits for current TFWs until alternate options are viable
- Reinstatement of PEQ for temporary workers already contributing in Quebec
Long-Term Solutions:
- Government subsidies to help employers meet new wage benchmarks
- Vocational training programs to upskill Canadian workers for trades in demand
- Increased PR quotas for temporary workers under programs like CEC or Provincial Nominee Programs
How Affected Workers Can Respond
If you’re a TFW in a similar position:
- Check your permit expiry and begin renewal processes at least 6 months in advance
- Consult immigration professionals for options like International Mobility Program, LMIA-exempt pathways, or alternate PR streams
- Work closely with employers to build a case or secure higher-wage offers that meet new criteria
What’s at Stake? Quebec’s Economy
The loss of skilled TFWs could result in:
- Reduced productivity and supply chain delays
- Increased business costs due to rehiring and retraining
- Slower innovation in trades-dependent industries
As Denis Hamel of the Conseil du patronat du Québec warned,
“We need to depoliticize immigration and address real labor needs.”
For a consultation about Immigration options, reach out to the CAD IMMIGRATION today!
