Question Period Note: Inspections for the Temporary Foreign Worker Program during COVID-19

Employer inspections being conducted virtually during the pandemic

• A priority of the Department is ensuring the health of Canadians, workers, compliance of employers and that both employers and temporary foreign workers are protected.

• With the onset of Covid 19, inspections are primarily conducted virtually – using video visits and interviews with employers and workers. Additionally, documentation for employer compliance verification is being sent and received electronically. These practices are used in order to respect local travel restrictions and to prevent possible person-to-person transmission of the virus.

• Over 2,550 inspections were launched and 68% of these have been completed.

• In addition to virtual inspections, the Department has resumed onsite inspections where there are serious allegations of worker mistreatment, or health and safety concerns present.

• On March 15, 2020, ESDC made the decision to pause inspections in an effort to protect staff, workers, as well as employers, and to comply with the restrictions on travel put into place by the provinces and territories. The department continued to monitor the tip line and respond to cases that required immediate action.

• On April 24, 2020, ESDC resumed inspections by conducting them virtually/remotely. The focus of these inspections was to verify employer compliance with the quarantine requirements for employers outlined in the six new conditions related to COVID-19, amended in the Immigration Refugee Protection Regulations. These inspections incorporated virtual visits and interviews with employers and TFWS, in addition to electronic document productions such as pictures and other documents to verify compliance during the quarantine period. As of October 23, the Department has completed over 68% of the over 2,550 inspections it has launched.

• Although virtual inspections cannot replace on-site inspections, the efficiency of using virtual tools such as video interviews, and submission of electronic information, has added more proficiency to traditional paper-based inspections. The Department has already conducted an assessment of its virtual operations and has put into place improvements and adjustments to ensure quality inspections as well as to identify the feasibility of incorporating these kinds of inspections for low-risk cases into its operations.

• On August 18, 2020, the Department continued with its business resumption plan and resumed the first phase of onsite inspections of workplaces to address serious allegations of worker mistreatment, or health and safety concerns which were brought forward to the Department. Where feasible and appropriate, virtual inspection techniques continue to be used for low-risk cases.

• The Government recently announced it will be investing over $58 million to strengthen employer compliance, increase direct support to foreign workers and support employers in implementing required public health measures.

• On October 27, 2020, the Government began consultations with provinces and territories, employers, workers and other interested parties on a proposal to establish minimum requirements for employer-provided accommodations for the TFW Program.

• The new requirements would complement existing provincial or territorial housing standards and create consistency for all employers who provide accommodations to foreign workers. Strengthened oversight for pre- and post-arrival inspections of worker accommodations is also proposed. The goal is to develop a lasting approach to improve living conditions for workers.

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