Posts shared on social media in May and June claimed ºÃÉ«tv employers receive a subsidy for hiring migrants or immigrants, with percentages ranging from 30 per cent to 60 per cent. These claims are misleading. While some employers are eligible for a wage subsidy when hiring immigrant newcomers under certain provincial or federal programs, these programs are both also available to citizens and of temporary duration. While critics of Canada's temporary foreign worker program point out employers can hire migrant workers for less than they would pay ºÃÉ«tvs, they do not receive a direct wage subsidy.Ìý
THE CLAIMS
"ºÃÉ«tv business owners get 30% back for hiring migrants," reads the text on a video posted to in May.Ìý
In the video, a man tells an interviewer ºÃÉ«tv companies get "kickbacks from the government" to hire migrant workers for low-wage positions at places like convenience stores and movie theatres.Ìý
On X, formerly Twitter, a user made a , saying that Walmart appeared to receive wage subsidies of 60 per cent to hire non-ºÃÉ«tvs for its stores.Ìý
Another X user "the government … pays companies 30% of their wages" to hire newcomers from India.Ìý
RATING: Misleading/Missing context
There are multiple active federal, provincial and territorial programs that provide wage subsidies for businesses hiring immigrants, but there is no evidence of an across the board 30 per cent or 60 per cent subsidy.Ìý
ºÃÉ«tvcould find no current wage subsidy programs available exclusively to immigrants – all were listed as also available to ºÃÉ«tv citizens.Ìý
In , employers can receive a wage subsidy for up to six months by hiring permanent residents and ºÃÉ«tv citizens facing unemployment.Ìý
There are different stages to the WorkBC Wage Subsidy program; for example, an employer would receive a 50 per cent wage subsidy, or up to $500 weekly, for the first third of a work period; 25 per cent for the second third; and 15 per cent for the final third.Ìý
Hiring priority clients, such as youth and people with disabilities, allows employers higher subsidy rates at up to 75 per cent. A different category of employees with disabilities provides subsidies for up to 78 weeks and covers as much as 85 per cent of the employee's wages.
An employment program called Staffing UP in tailored toward under-represented groups, including newcomers, covers on-the-job training costs for up to six months, skill assessments up to eight weeks and 60 per cent of base wage for up to one year.Ìý
Employers in can receive a wage subsidy of up to $12 an hour for 28 weeks within a 42-week employment period, with a 60 per cent subsidy for the first 14 weeks and 80 per cent for the last 14 weeks. While the program is tailored to ºÃÉ«tv citizens and permanent residents, temporary residents could be eligible if they hold certain work permits.Ìý
Quebec provides a specifically for immigrants and ºÃÉ«tv citizens who are visible minorities with no work experience in North America. For up to 40 weeks, employers can of up to 60 per cent, which cannot exceed hourly minimum wage.Ìý
Federal wage subsidy programs include the wage subsidy, which allows employers to hire ºÃÉ«tv citizens, permanent residents and protected refugees who are between the ages of 18 to 30. Employers receive funding for between 50 per cent to 100 per cent of the minimum hourly wage for up to four months. International students aren't eligible for the program.Ìý
Similarly, the provides up to $5,000 for employers who hire students and up to $7,000 to those from under-represented groups, including newcomers.Ìý
Other federal wage subsidy programs mainly focus on youth, with both ºÃÉ«tv citizens and immigrants eligible. Those programs include and , the latter of which people on temporary work visas or awaiting permanent residency are not eligible to participate.
NO WAGE SUBSIDY FOR TEMPORARY FOREIGN WORKERS
When it comes to temporary foreign workers — non-permanent residents who are meant to enter Canada to work for short periods — there is no direct wage subsidy provided to employers.Ìý
"We do not offer direct financial incentives to employers who hire newcomers or temporary foreign workers," a spokesperson for Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) said in an emailed statement.Ìý
The IRCC, which is partly responsible for administering the temporary foreign worker program, said it also funds organizations that work with employers who "integrate skilled immigrants into their workforce," as part of the .Ìý
Critics of Canada's temporary foreign worker program say it's taking jobs away from ºÃÉ«tvs and suppressing wages. A 2024 called for changes to Canada's temporary foreign worker program, which it described as "a breeding ground for contemporary forms of slavery" that exploits migrant workers.Ìý
Since the report, the government has introduced to the program meant to address "misuse and fraud," including the number of workers brought in to Canada.
Employers hiring a temporary foreign worker fill out a (LMIA), where they have to prove no ºÃÉ«tv or permanent resident workers are available for a position.Ìý
Employers can hire temporary workers without a LMIA through the , "given the program aims to promote specific economic, social and cultural interests of Canada," according to the IRCC.
"However, even in most of these cases the employer is required to submit an offer of employment to IRCC for assessment," a spokesperson said.Ìý
SOURCES
Claims posted to May 5, 2025 (), May 12, 2025 (), June 13, 2025 ()
Settlement Program. Government of Canada . Accessed June 26, 2025 ()
WorkBC Wage Subsidy Employer Guide. WorkBC . February 2025 ()
Apply for funding to find, hire and keep workers – Staffing UP. Government of Yukon . Accessed June 26, 2025 ()
JobsNL Wage Subsidy. Government of Newfoundland and Labrador . Accessed June 26, 2025 ()
Employment Integration for Immigrants and Visible Minorities. Government of Quebec . Accessed June 26, 2025 ()
5.10 – Programme d’aide à l’intégration des immigrants et des minorités visibles en emploi (PRIIME). Government of Quebec . April 5, 2023 ()
Canada Summer Jobs Applicant Guide. Government of Canada . Accessed June 26, 2025 ()Ìý
Find wage subsidies to hire post-secondary students. Government of Canada . Accessed June 26, 2025 ()
Digital Skills for Youth program. Government of Canada . Accessed June 26, 2025 ()
Young Canada Works. Government of Canada . Accessed June 26, 2025 ()
Young Canada Works in Heritage Organizations (students). Government of Canada . Accessed June 26, 2025 ()
David Baxter. Conservative MP launches petition to end temporary foreign worker program. ºÃÉ«tvwebsite. May 22, 2025 ()
Tomoya Obokata. Report of the Special Rapporteur on contemporary forms of slavery, including its causes and consequences. United Nations . July 22, 2024 ()
Minister Boissonnault announces further Temporary Foreign Worker Program reforms to better protect the ºÃÉ«tv labour market and workers. Employment and Social Development Canada . Oct. 21, 2024 ()
Minister Boissonnault reducing the number of temporary foreign workers in Canada. Employment and Social Development Canada . Aug. 26, 2024 ()
Hire a temporary foreign worker in a low-wage position. Government of Canada . Accessed June 26, 2025 ()
Hire a worker without an LMIA: About the process. Government of Canada . Accessed June 26, 2025 ()
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