Temporary foreign workers: mass exodus expected after April 1

A Calgary immigration lawyer says changes to the temporary foreign workers program could effect everyday Albertans as early as this week. You go to a Tim Hortons and all of sudden your lineup doubles," said ​Peter Wong of Caron & Partners LLP. April 1 is the day that permits expire for temporary foreign workers who have been in Canada for more than four years.

CBC

Temporary foreign workers: mass exodus expected after April 1

				Temporary foreign workers: mass exodus expected after Ap... A Calgary immigration lawyer says changes to the temporary foreign workers program could effect everyday Albertans as early as this week.
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A Calgary immigration lawyer says changes to the temporary foreign workers program could effect everyday Albertans as early as this week.

"You might find that your service is diminished. You go to a Tim Hortons and all of sudden your lineup doubles," said ​Peter Wong of Caron & Partners LLP.

Wong has dozens of clients who — come Wednesday — could be forced to get on a plane and go home.

"They're scared; they can't sleep at night," said Wong.

April 1 is the day that permits expire for temporary foreign workers who have been in Canada for more than four years.

In 2011, the federal government changed the rules — giving TFWs in low-skilled jobs the option to either become permanent residents or leave the country.

"When the workers started here, they had no idea that this was going to happen in the way that it unfolded," said Wong. 

While many of Wong's clients have applied to stay in the province through the Alberta Immigrant Nominee Program, he says it could take up to two years to process those requests.​

That will be too late for Michele Quiyan, who works at a fast-food restaurant in Calgary and sends almost her entire paycheque home to her family in Manila every month.

"My son and husband were deeply dreaming about living here, in Canada," a tearful Quiyan​ told CBC Calgary.

Her colleague, Alvin Sacluti has been working in the city for nearly eight years and also faces deportation in the next few weeks.

"We are still praying. We are still hopeful," said Sacluti.

Wong says there are very few options for TFWs like Quiyan and Sacluti, except to apply for another four-year permit and wait to be formally rejected from Ottawa.

He says legally, they do not have to leave the country until they receive that letter. 

Comment

 "Good bye Alberta

 Good bye Canada

Now can you understand why we did the right thing by going to Federal Court.

When I was a young lawyer, Government had three core principles when it came to immigration:

First, the applicant must never lie

Second, the government must never lie

Third, each file must be considered on its own merits

The first principle still applies.

The rest is history.

Since

It’s difficult for an old believer to say but : Under no circumstances can we trust government.

We must trust the Queen  and those agencies which have the tradition and honour not to be whored by political expeindienc e"

Richard Boraks, March 31, 2015