World Education Services (WES) is a non-profit social enterprise dedicated to helping international students, immigrants, and refugees achieve their educational and career goals in the United States and Canada. The weekly roundup includes research, stories, and events of interest to the Canadian immigration and settlement community. This content has been created by WES and is reproduced here with their permission, in partnership.
Are temporary foreign workers taking young Canadians' jobs? Here's what experts think (CBC News)
Debate continues at both federal and provincial levels over the impact of Canada’s Temporary Foreign Worker Program (TFWP) on youth unemployment. While some blame the TFWP, others argue it’s not a major factor, as employers must prove no Canadians are available at the prevailing wage.
However, international student immigration streams have complicated the job market. Post-graduation work permits and relaxed COVID-era policies allowing students to work more hours have led to a surge in young workers. Other contributors to youth unemployment include the rise of artificial intelligence and government funding cuts, which often result in youth positions being the first to go. As Canada’s population growth slows—especially through immigration—youth employment prospects will be increasingly shaped by broader demographic and policy shifts.
Not Just Another Internship: The International Student WIL Experience (HECQO)
In 2024, HECQO, The Dais at TMU, and Medow Consulting explored how Ontario’s postsecondary sector can better support international students, with a focus on improving access to work-integrated learning (WIL).
Key findings:
While the economic and political landscape has evolved since the research was conducted, Ontario’s postsecondary institutions still have a meaningful opportunity to improve the international student experience through WIL—particularly for those considering permanent residency in Canada.
Recommended actions:
Federal agencies fumble privacy safeguards on asylum system revamp, risking refugee data (CBC News)
In 2019, IRCC, CBSA, and the IRB launched the Asylum Interoperability Project (AIP) to modernize Canada’s asylum system, improve efficiency, and reduce backlogs through better coordination across agencies. Six years later, the project was unexpectedly shut down, leaving stakeholders with unanswered questions. CBC reports that Privacy Impact Assessments (PIAs)—critical for identifying and mitigating privacy risks—were quietly abandoned with only 64% completed. These assessments are required before launching any government initiative involving sensitive data.
The project's closure has disrupted how digital data is collected and used, increasing risks for vulnerable populations. IRCC has committed to completing its PIAs by the end of 2025, but CBSA has ceased its efforts. With 36% of assessments left unfinished, accountability for the incomplete work remains unclear. The AIP’s abrupt end highlights serious gaps in oversight, transparency, and data governance in inter-agency projects involving personal information.
In June 2025, the Strong Borders Act (Bill C-2) was introduced to enhance Canadian border security. However, critics argue its true aim is to reduce immigration backlogs and processing delays. As of July 31, over 2.2 million applications were pending, with half of permanent resident and 38% of temporary resident applications exceeding government timelines.
Immigration lawyers, academics, and community organizations warn that the bill could grant sweeping powers to officials, allowing them to suspend or cancel immigration programs and target vulnerable applicants—including refugees—both in Canada and abroad. This could lead to undocumented status and further delays. Critics contend that under the guise of border security, Bill C-2 is a shortcut to clearing backlogs, raising serious concerns about fairness, transparency, and human rights.
Further Reading:
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