CIMM – Migrant Workers Support Program – February 7, 2024

Key Facts and Figures

As part of the Government of Canada’s broader commitment to protecting temporary foreign workers from mistreatment and abuse, the Migrant Worker Support (MWS) program was launched in 2022 (totaling $49.5M committed in Budget 2021).
The MWS program provides funding to over 110 community organizations across Canada by providing in-community and upon-arrival services to support migrant workers to learn about and exercise their rights.
Funded organizations do so by providing migrant worker-centric support programs and services, such as on-arrival orientation services, information workshops, legal support, and assistance in emergency and at-risk situations.

The Government of Canada is strongly committed to protecting temporary foreign workers from mistreatment and abuse.
The MWS program demonstrated the Government of Canada’s commitment, with the goal of providing support to temporary foreign workers to learn about and exercise their rights while living and working in Canada.
In late 2023, Employment and Social Development Canada (ESDC) launched a survey to assist the Department in evaluating whether organizations funded through the MWS program are helping temporary foreign workers to understand and exercise their rights while in Canada. The survey will allow ESDC to strengthen its understanding of MWS program impacts. The survey closed on December 31, 2023. The survey results will be shared with stakeholders.

Foreign nationals who were issued a work permit under the Temporary Foreign Worker Program or were issued an employer-specific work permit under the International Mobility Program are eligible for this program.