Former Alberta Premier Jason Kenney has launched a scathing critique of the federal government’s immigration policies, particularly targeting its approach to foreign labor.
Kenney, who previously served as the Conservative immigration minister under Stephen Harper, said on X that he’s “perplexed” at what he described as the gross mismanagement of the immigration system by Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s administration.
Kenney’s concerns stem from a recent Statistics Canada report revealing a 30-month high in unemployment, reaching 6.4% in July. This spike has disproportionately affected young Canadians, who are now competing with an influx of temporary foreign workers.
During his tenure as immigration minister, Kenney implemented reforms that led to an 80% reduction in low-skilled foreign workers. However, these numbers have surged by 88% from 2019 under the Trudeau government, with over 183,000 permits issued just last year.
In response to the rising unemployment, Trudeau announced plans to reduce the number of low-wage foreign workers. “The labour market has changed,” Trudeau stated. “Now is the time for our businesses to invest in Canadian workers and youth.”
The temporary foreign worker program, which covers various sectors including agriculture and hospitality, will see cuts. However, healthcare, construction, and food security sectors will remain unaffected.
Related: UN Report Slams Canada’s Temporary Foreign Worker Program as ‘Breeding Ground for Slavery’
Kenney defended his past policy decisions, emphasizing the need for market-driven solutions and increased productivity investments for labor shortages.
“The market response must be for employers to offer higher wages, better benefits, more training, accommodations for underemployed cohorts of the labour force, and more investment to enhance productivity.”
He slammed the Trudeau government’s reversal of these reforms.
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