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Undocumented workers

Issue

Some people believe that foreign workers in Canada without proper documentation are being unfairly deported.

Fact

Undocumented workers are illegal immigrants.

Every year, Canada welcomes tens of thousands of people from all over the world who come to this country legally to live, work or go to school. Before they arrived here, these people had to meet certain requirements, whether they were coming as students, temporary workers or business class immigrants. They also went through medical and security screening, including a criminal record check.

Anyone who enters Canada to work or live without going through this process is breaking the rules, and they will be asked to leave. If they do not leave voluntarily, they can be deported by the Canada Border Services Agency. They do have the option of going back to their home country and applying to enter this country legally.

These rules are designed to protect Canada and to make sure that everyone who wants to come to Canada is treated fairly. Undocumented workers are jumping to the front of the line. They have not been through the proper medical and security screening. They may be in jobs that could be filled by Canadians, or by people who have come to Canada legally.

The Government of Canada is working with its partners in provincial and territorial governments and in the private sector to address labour shortages. Among other things, we have established special offices to speed up the immigration process for foreign workers in areas where labour shortages may be especially serious. In 2005 alone, 100,000 people were admitted to Canada legally as temporary workers.