Designed to meet short-term labour market needs
The Yukon government is launching a one-year pilot of the Yukon Temporary Foreign Worker Program on Aug. 1. The program has been designed to help meet Yukon’s short-term labour market needs in the tourism and hospitality, oil and gas, mineral exploration and mining industries.
“When employers in specific industries advertise locally but are unable to find employees, this program is an excellent option to fill those positions on a short-term basis,” said Education Minister Scott Kent.
Yukon’s economy fluctuates on a seasonal basis and employers sometimes need fast, short-term access to workers. This pilot program enables Yukon businesses to hire temporary foreign workers for a period of up to 12 months when employment needs aren’t being met locally.
“To ensure Yukoners and Canadians always have first opportunity for new jobs, employers cannot look to temporary foreign workers until available jobs have been advertised to Canadians for four weeks,” said Kent.
Any employer hiring temporary foreign workers must pay the median wage for the position, as indicated by Human Resources and Skills Development Canada’s Working in Canada website.
“Yukon businesses are excited about the potential offered by this program,” said Whitehorse Chamber of Commerce chair Philip Fitzgerald. “Yukon employers want to hire local whenever possible and we encourage Yukoners to monitor job postings and apply for positions that they are qualified for and interested in.”
The new program differs from the existing Yukon Nominee Program because it focuses on providing workers for a short term only, no more than 12 months. The nominee program is for foreign workers seeking permanent residency. Both are federal programs administered by the Yukon government.
