AM I ALLOWED TO CHANGE EMPLOYERS?
Yes, you are allowed to change employers. Your employer cannot penalizeor deport you
for looking for another job. However, your work permit may only allow you to work for
your current employer. Before accepting new employment, remember that your new
employer will have to get permission from the Government of Canada to hire you as
a temporary foreign worker. You will also need to apply for a new work permit before
changing jobs. Workers under the Seasonal Agricultural Workers Program do not need
to get a new work permit if they change employers.
WHAT HAPPENS IF I LOSE MY JOB?
Your employer has to give you advance notice before firing you or laying you off from
your job. This is to give you time to look for a new job before being out of work. If they
do not give you advance notice, they have to pay you for the notice you should have
been given (called termination pay). The number of days of advance notice or the
amount of termination pay you should get depends on the province or territory where
you are working and how long you have worked for that employer.
However, if your employer can prove that they have a good reason to fire you, they may
not have to give you notice or termination pay. For example, you could be fired without
notice if you commit a crime such as theft or fraud, or if you lied about your qualifications
when you were hired.
If you have concerns about your safety, or if you want to change employers
because your employer is breaking the terms of your contract or not following
the law, call the Service Canada Confidential Tip Line at 1-866-602-9448. You
can leave an anonymous message to report your concerns. All calls are taken
seriously and investigated to help protect you and your rights.
HEALTH AND SAFETY AT WORK
All workers in Canada have the right to a safe workplace. Canada has laws to protect
workers from unsafe working conditions. While some jobs may have more risk than
others, no one should feel that the work they are doing is unsafe.
If you believe your employer is not following the law, you have the right
to complain to your provincial or territorial labour standards office. If you are
a member of a union, you may also want to get advice from your
union representative.
IS MY WORK SAFE?
Questions to ask yourself:
- Do I have the training I need to do my job and to operate the equipment
or machinery that I am using?
- Do I have the right safety equipment to do the job?
- Has my employer made my workplace as safe as possible?
WHAT IF I AM ASKED TO DO DANGEROUS WORK?
You have the right to refuse to do work that you believe is a serious risk to your health
or your safety. Your employer cannot force you to do work that you believe is dangerous.
They cannot fire you or refuse to pay you. Your employer must investigate any danger
that is reported in the workplace. You have the right to refuse to do the work until you
and your employer agree that:
- the danger is removed;
- you have received the proper training;
- the problem no longer exists.
WHAT IF MY EMPLOYER DOES NOT AGREE THAT THE WORK IS DANGEROUS?
If you and your employer do not agree, report the situation to the workplace health
and safety office in your province or territory. You can refuse to do work that you feel
is dangerous until a provincial or territorial official from the workplace health and safety
office tells you that it is safe.
WHAT IF I AM INJURED AT WORK?
If you have an accident at work, tell your supervisor or employer as soon as possible.
See a doctor immediately if you believe you may need medical help.
WHAT IF I AM INJURED AT WORK?
Provinces and territories may offer workers’ compensation (medical or wage benefits)
if you are hurt on the job or if your job causes you to get sick. If you do not yet qualify
for the provincial or territorial health care plan, your employer should provide you with
private health insurance until you are covered. Your employer is not allowed to deduct
any money from your pay for private health insurance except if you are hired under
the Seasonal Agricultural Worker Program.
ACCOMMODATION
If you are hired as a temporary foreign worker in a low-wage position, your employer must:
- ensure that suitable and affordable accommodation is available;
- provide you with suitable accommodation at a price that you can afford;
- offer you accommodation in their primary residence.
If you are a caregiver and live in your employer’s primary residence, they cannot charge
you for your rent or meals. Your employer must provide you with a private, furnished bedroom that:
- has a lock and a safety bolt on the inside, and a window;
- meets safety standards of the municipality and the province or territory.
If you are a temporary farm worker hired under the Seasonal Agricultural Worker
Program or the Agricultural Stream, accommodation details can be found in your
employment contract signed by you and your employer.
HUMAN TRAFFICKING
ARE YOU A VICTIM?
Unfortunately sometimes people who come to Canada from other countries as temporary
workers are illegally exploited by their employers through forced labour or sexual
exploitation. In Canada, this is called “trafficking in persons” or human trafficking.
Victims of human trafficking are controlled by their employers and made to provide
their labour or sexual services through intimidation, force, sexual assault and threats
of violence to themselves, their families or friends. It is a crime to exploit workers and
the Government of Canada can help protect you if you think you might be a victim.
You might be a victim of human trafficking if you answer “yes” to any
of these questions:
- Are you prevented from leaving your work location or your accommodation on your own?
- Has someone taken your passport or work permit away from you?
- Have you been physically, sexually or psychologically abused by your employer or someone connected to your employer?
- Has your employer or someone representing your employer threatened you or your family?
- Do you fear something bad will happen to you or to a family member if you leave your job?
- Are you living in a group at your workplace, with poor living conditions (for example, you have no private space, you sleep in shared space or in inappropriate conditions)?
- Did you pay high recruitment fees to come to work in Canada?
- Do you feel that you owe money to your employer for bringing you to Canada?
- Has your employer or someone representing your employer asked for a portion of your paycheque back in cash?
Some of the ways that human traffickers control their victims:
- Making promises about employment,
travel, living conditions or treatment;
- Promising to provide immigration and
travel documents;
- Making offers that sound too good to
be true;
- Threatening to harm the worker or the
worker’s family;
- Involving workers in criminal activities;
- Moving workers from workplace to
workplace against their will or forcing
them into prostitution;
- Coaching workers on how to
mislead authorities.
PROTECTION AND HELP FOR VICTIMS
OF HUMAN TRAFFICKING
If you think that you are a victim of human trafficking, or you suspect or know of human
trafficking activity, call 9-1-1 or your local police. To anonymously report a case of
trafficking, call Crime Stoppers National Tipline at 1-800-222-TIPS(8477).
The Government of Canada can help you if you are a victim of human trafficking
by giving you a special temporary resident permit. This will allow you to receive health
care and to apply for an open work permit. You will not need to testify against your
trafficker or pay a fee to receive this help. You can contact the closest Immigration,
Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) office or the Royal Canadian Mounted Police
(RCMP). To find the closest IRCC office, call IRCC toll-free at 1-888-242-2100 (from
within Canada only). If you visit an office in person, IRCC can assess your application
faster. To find the closest RCMP detachment for human trafficking, call the Royal
Canadian Mounted Police Human Trafficking National Coordination Centre
toll-free at 1-855-850-4640.
WORKPLACE HEALTH AND SAFETY OFFICES
(call if you have been asked to do dangerous work or if conditions at your
workplace are unsafe)
- Alberta: 1-866-415-8690
- British Columbia: 1-888-621-7233
- Manitoba: 1-855-957-7233
- New Brunswick: 1-800-222-9775
- Newfoundland and Labrador: 1-800-563-5471
- Northwest Territories: 1-800-661-0792
- Nova Scotia: 1-800-952-2687
- Nunavut: 1-877-404-4407
- Ontario: 1-877-202-0008
- Prince Edward Island: 1-800-237-5049
- Quebec: 1-844-838-0808
- Saskatchewan: 1-800-567-7233
- Yukon: 1-800-661-0443
EMPLOYMENT STANDARDS OFFICES
(call if you have a problem with your pay, your hours of work, or if you are
being treated unfairly at work)
- Alberta: 1-877-427-3731
- British Columbia: 1-800-663-3316
- Manitoba: 1-800-821-4307
- New Brunswick: 1-888-452-2687
- Newfoundland and Labrador: 1-877-563-1063
- Northwest Territories: 1-888-700-5707
- Nova Scotia: 1-888-315-0110
- Nunavut: 1-877-806-8402
- Ontario: 1-800-531-5551
- Prince Edward Island: 1-800-333-4362
- Quebec: 1-800-265-1414
- Saskatchewan: 1-800-667-1783
- Yukon: 1-800-661-0408, extension 5944
OTHER RESOURCES
- If you are in need of urgent help, call 9-1-1 for emergency services.
- To anonymously report abuse of the Temporary Foreign Worker Program:
Service Canada Confidential Tip Line: 1-866-602-9448 or use the Online Fraud
Reporting Tool.
- For information on working in Canada:
Immigration, Refugee, and Citizenship Canada: 1-888-242-2100
For information on the enforcement of Canadian immigration laws:
Canada Border Services Agency: 1-800-461-9999
Service Canada: (visit to apply for a social insurance number and receive a variety
of services)
- For general information on Government of Canada services: 1-800-O-Canada
(1-800-622-6232).
- To make an anonymous report about a crime or potential crime, call
Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477.
