Canadian government tightens TFWP enforcement and reports rise in non-compliance | ImmigraCan

Canadian government tightens TFWP enforcement and reports rise in non-compliance

On 2026-07-09, the Canadian immigration landscape saw a relevant update for Brazilians who are planning or already in process with IRCC. The information comes from CIC News (original source), a network specialized in Canadian immigration.

The TFWP (Temporary Foreign Worker Program) allows Canadian employers to hire foreign nationals when they can't find a local worker. It is the foundation of the LMIA and directly affects Brazilians seeking a job offer.

Current enforcement context

The Canadian government has stepped up TFWP enforcement in response to cases involving:

• Employers charging illegal fees to foreign workers
• Fake job postings created solely to bring in relatives
• Working conditions below what was promised
• Excessive rent charged for housing provided by the employer
• Use of the TFWP to bypass local hiring

Consequence: more audits, heavier fines (up to CAD 100,000 per violation), and temporary or permanent bans for offending employers.

Impact for Brazilians with a job offer

If you already have a job offer from a Canadian employer:

1. Check the employer compliance list on canada.ca — the "employer compliance list" shows who has been penalized
2. Confirm that the employer is active and has no recent sanctions
3. Never pay any fee to the employer to obtain the LMIA — this is illegal and can invalidate your work permit
4. Keep the signed contract and all correspondence
5. If the employer asks you to pay for the LMIA (CAD 1,000), that's a red flag — the law states that this cost belongs to the employer

Rights of the foreign worker

You are entitled to:

• Wages matching the offer and the NOC wage floor
• A safe work environment
• Reporting poor conditions without fear of deportation (via IRCC Fraud Reporting)
• Changing employers (if on a Vulnerable Worker Open Work Permit — VWOP)
• Assistance from unions and migrant worker associations

If something goes wrong

If the employer breaches the contract or you experience exploitation:

1. Document everything (messages, pay stubs, witnesses)
2. Report it to the Service Canada TFWP tip line
3. Apply for a VWOP (Vulnerable Worker Open Work Permit) — allows you to leave an abusive employer without losing status
4. Seek assistance from organizations such as the Migrant Workers Centre BC or Justicia for Migrant Workers

Next steps

If you're planning to come through the TFWP, take the quiz to see if this is your best option. If you already have an offer, use our net salary calculator to understand your real purchasing power.

Conclusion

IRCC policy changes affect Brazilians differently depending on profile, application stage, and current status. This is just a snapshot of a 2026-07-09 update — for the full picture of your case, take ImmigraCan's free eligibility quiz.

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*This content is informational and does not constitute legal or immigration advice. ImmigraCan is not affiliated with the Government of Canada or IRCC. Always confirm official information at canada.ca and, for your specific case, consult a Regulated Canadian Immigration Consultant (RCIC) or a specialized lawyer. Source: CIC News.*