NEW WAGE ASSESSMENT RULES UNDER TFWP – EFFECTIVE 2025

🗓 Effective Date: May 28, 2025

On May 28, 2025, IRCC officially released updated guidelines in the Program Delivery Instructions (PDI) to standardize wage assessment procedures under the Temporary Foreign Worker Program (TFWP).

💰 1. Prevailing Wage Requirement
Employers must offer a wage equal to or higher than the prevailing wage for the specific job title and geographic location.
The prevailing wage is typically determined based on data from Job Bank Canada by occupation and region:
https://www.jobbank.gc.ca/home
→ The goal is to ensure that foreign workers are fairly compensated and that the local wage market is not undercut.

⚖️ 2. “Same Job – Same Pay” Principle
Temporary foreign workers must be paid the same wage as Canadian citizens or permanent residents doing the same job.
→ This promotes fairness in the labor market and helps prevent wage suppression of foreign workers.

📍 3. Region-Specific Accuracy
Wage assessments will take into account regional variations.
For example, the prevailing wage for a cook in Toronto may differ significantly from that in Halifax. Employers must align wages with the specific job location.

📋 4. Standardized Wage Evaluation Process
IRCC will now use a nationally standardized process to assess wages in all TFWP applications, ensuring consistency and transparency.

🚫 5. Employer Compliance & Penalties
If employers offer a wage below the prevailing rate, the application may be refused, and they may be subject to penalties under TFWP’s compliance regulations.
→ IRCC encourages employers to regularly check updated wage information on Job Bank Canada.

🛡️ 6. Protecting Workers & Upholding Program Integrity
These changes reaffirm Canada’s commitment to:

• Protecting foreign workers from exploitation

• Maintaining fair labor standards

• Enhancing transparency and integrity within the TFWP

The new IRCC wage assessment regulations under the TFWP are a significant step toward fair pay and improved working conditions for foreign workers in Canada.
👉 Be proactive: Know your rights, stay informed, and keep your documents legal and up to date.