A guide for Canadians and immigrant workers to understand the system and take action.
This map is a tool for Canadians and immigrant workers. It pinpoints job postings that show signs of abuse, such as inflated wages, suspicious hiring practices, or reliance on third-party consultants. Specifically, the map shows sketchy ads posted within the last 90 days that you should consider "Direct Applying For."
These ads are considered "sketchy" because they are for unregulated (unlicensed) jobs that nearly anyone, including foreign nationals, can qualify for, such as a cleaner or an admin assistant, not a doctor or a registered nurse. They also offer a substantially higher wage than the median wage for that particular occupation.
For example, a line cook with a median wage of around $17 per hour being advertised at $36.10 per hour is a major red flag. This substantial difference is often just enough to be processed as a "high-wage" LMIA application, because low wage LMIAs are not being processed in areas where unemployment is above 6%.
This page is a tool for Canadians and immigrant workers frustrated by widespread fraud in the Temporary Foreign Worker Program (TFWP). It is focused on exposing the most egregious forms of abuse and human trafficking, which often begin with misleading job postings on the Government of Canada Job Bank.
The TFWP was designed to fill genuine labour shortages. However, over the past four years, it has become a breeding ground for abuse, including wage suppression, exploitation of vulnerable workers, and in extreme cases, human trafficking. This practice has also sidelined qualified Canadians and ethical immigrants who are unwilling to pay bribes, with some individuals purchasing permanent residency status through fraudulent means.
The Temporary Foreign Worker Program (TFWP) allows Canadian employers to hire foreign workers for jobs when no qualified Canadians or permanent residents are available. To do this, an employer needs a Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA).
An LMIA is a document from the government that proves there is a real need for a foreign worker and that hiring them will not harm the Canadian labour market. While this system is meant to protect workers and maintain fairness, it has often been exploited.
Note: Not all employers using the TFWP are fraudulent. However, patterns like inflated wages or third-party involvement often signal trouble. Where there’s smoke, there’s often fire.
Service Canada has finally stepped up its game. It now requires employers to activate the "Direct Apply" option on the Job Bank for all LMIA-related postings. This is a game-changer because it means employers can no longer simply lie about their recruitment efforts.
As a Canadian or Permanent Resident, you are now a crucial part of the solution.
You must register on the Job Bank using your SIN number. The system will know you are a Canadian or Permanent Resident.
If you are qualified for any of these suspicious positions, apply directly through the Job Bank.
If you are qualified but not considered for the job, it is highly likely that Service Canada will refuse their LMIA application.
This collective action is what we need to put a nail in the coffin of TFWP fraud.
Use the Job Bank's Direct Apply feature to apply to jobs that seem suspicious. If you’re qualified but not hired, it is likely the employer is not seriously considering Canadian talent. Your applications can lead to LMIA refusals for non-compliant employers.
Be cautious of employers or consultants who promise work permits for high fees. Always verify the legitimacy of a job offer and report suspicious offers immediately.
For more information and documented cases of TFWP fraud, see the following reports:
As part of the LMIA application, employers and consultants are required to prove they have tried to recruit from various platforms, including those targeting underrepresented groups. Some of the owners of these sites profit from employers paying to post fraudulent ads, which are then used as proof of recruitment.
Here are some examples of platforms that are used for this purpose:
For detailed government information on the Temporary Foreign Worker Program and LMIA requirements, you can visit the following official resources:
The TFWP allows Canadian employers to hire foreign workers when no qualified Canadians or permanent residents are available, requiring a Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA) to prove need. It’s meant to address labor shortages but is often exploited through wage suppression, fraudulent permits, and human trafficking.
This map pinpoints job postings from the last 90 days on Job Bank that may indicate TFWP abuse, such as inflated wages (e.g., $36.10/hour for a line cook vs. median $17/hour), suspicious hiring, or third-party consultant use. Hover to see job titles, employers, wages, median wages, and links to Job Bank.
Unlike lmia-map.org (past LMIA data), this map tracks active postings, highlighting suspicious ones (e.g., unregulated jobs like cleaners at high wages). It empowers users to apply via DirectApply or report fraud to challenge employers’ claims of no Canadian applicants.
Employers post jobs for 30 days on Job Bank with unrealistic wages/requirements to discourage Canadians, claim no applicants, and secure an LMIA. They may hire foreign workers at lower pay or charge fees (e.g., $50,000) for permits, engaging in fraud or human trafficking.
Red wages show the employer’s advertised rate (e.g., $36/hour for an office supervisor). Blue wages show the median for that job (e.g., $30/hour). Large gaps suggest fraud to meet high-wage LMIA requirements, avoiding low-wage refusals in high-unemployment areas (>6%).
Register on Job Bank with your SIN to verify Canadian/PR status. Use DirectApply to apply to suspicious jobs. If qualified but not hired, report to Service Canada/IRCC. Mass applications can lead to LMIA refusals, exposing fraudulent employers.
Beware of employers/consultants charging high fees (e.g., $50,000) for work permits, which is illegal. Verify job legitimacy and report suspicious offers to CBSA or IRCC to protect yourself and others.
Submit tips to the CBSA Border Watch Line or IRCC with employer details and evidence (e.g., high fees, fake jobs).
Some platforms profit from fraudulent job postings used to justify LMIAs, e.g., Newcomers Jobs Hub, Allstar Jobs, Aboriginal Job Board. Employers must now use DirectApply on Job Bank, making it easier to challenge false recruitment claims.
Government resources: Provincial Median Wages, High-Wage LMIA. Reports: CBC on fake jobs, Bloomberg on scams.