Canada’s Exploited Foreign Workers Program

The Backbench

Temporary foreign workers are relied upon to fill the gaps in the Canadian labour market. But the system is convoluted and ripe with exploitation – all at a time when immigrants are being blamed by politicians and the public for the housing crisis.

The system needs an overhaul to protect our economy and the workers that make it tick. Are immigrants really to blame for the housing crisis? What types of immigrants are the feds targeting?

To find out, Mattea Roach asked lawyer Jonathon Braun, author and professor Catherine Connelly and economist Mikal Skuterud.

Host: Mattea Roach

Credits: Aviva Lessard (Producer), Sam Konnert (Producer), Caleb Thompson (Audio Editor and Technical Producer), André Proulx (Production Coordinator), Karyn Pugliese (Editor-in-Chief)

Guests: Jonathan Braun, Catherine Connelly, Mikal Skuterud

Background reading:

• WORK #3 - Bitter Harvest - Commons, Canadaland
• WORK #4 - Reaping the Whirlwind - Commons, Canadaland
• #369 Stranded Servants: Nannies And Cleaners During Lockdown - Canadaland
• Linking immigration to the housing shortage may be missing the problem, experts say - CBC News
• Canada is scaling back temporary foreign workers. Critics say the program needs an overhaul - CBC
• Temporary Foreign Worker program sees 68% jump in approvals - The Globe and Mail
• Immigration is making Canada's housing more expensive. The government was warned 2 years ago - CBC

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