The qoute below is in regards to the new 4 year cap on work permits for folks working in Canada under the National Temporary Foreign Work program.

What does this mean? Here’s the important stuff:

Jason Kenney = Canada’s current Minister of Citizenship, Immigration and Multiculturalism. Has said all kinds of appalling things.

Actions speak louder than words = As a cruel April Fool’s Joke, the Conservative gov’t (currently seeking re-election) snuck in a new change to Canada’s Temporary Foreign Worker policy; Four years and your work permit is done*. You’re not allowed to reapply for another work permit for another four years of your life. This means, unless you’re one of the lucky few (and the numbers show that its VERY few) that get access to permanent residency or find another reason to stay (like a study permit….but if you’re busting your back as a cashier, what are the reasonable odds that you’re get into a school program) you essentially have to leave Canada.

In affect, the Conservative gov’t have pushed in policy to entrench the exploitative nature of this work program — keep the labourers vulnerable, exploitable and keep their status in the country (where they pay taxes and contribute to the labour force) very precarious.

*Unless, for example, you’re a seasonal migrant agricultural worker under NAFTA, the Con. gov’t wants to make sure you’re exploitable every harvest season.

Solid backgrounder research on the Temp foreign worker program can be found here