Thank you.
My colleagues have already spoken. I will therefore briefly describe the program and its repercussions on the labour market, as well as the measures taken during the pandemic.
The objective of the temporary foreign worker program is to enable Canadian employers' access to foreign workers when qualified Canadians or permanent residents are not available, and it works to protect foreign workers during their time in Canada. The program requires employers to obtain a positive labour market impact assessment, LMIA, to establish that the employment of a temporary foreign worker would not have a negative impact on the Canadian labour market.
While the program constitutes a small proportion of the Canadian labour force, workers are a key source of labour, particularly in agriculture and agri-food. Ensuring their reliable entry and safe working conditions is key to the ongoing competitiveness of these sectors and to Canada's broader economic recovery.
As I mentioned, to ensure that Canadians and permanent residents continue to have the first opportunity at available jobs, employers must submit an application for LMIA before they are permitted to hire workers through the program.