Temporary Foreign Workers Assembly 2024: Empowerment through Education

The Calgary Catholic Immigration Society (CCIS) hosted its third annual Temporary Foreign Workers (TFW) Assembly on October 5, 2024, at the Kerby Centre in downtown Calgary. This year’s theme, Empowerment through Education, resonated deeply with the 195 migrant workers in attendance, who left feeling more knowledgeable and empowered about their rights and responsibilities in Canada.

Hasmik Asmaryan, the director of Business, Employment, and Training (BETS) at CCIS, kicked off the event with a heartfelt welcome, acknowledging the contributions of attendees, speakers, guests, and community partners in making newcomers feel at home in Canada. The day was packed with informative sessions and one-on-one consultations that kept everyone engaged and informed.

The first session, Pathways to Permanent Residency, was led by immigration law expert Jatin Shory from Shory Law. He shared insights on recent changes to the TFW program and their impact on foreign workers. Rowan Fisher from Osuji and Smith Law discussed the Alberta Advantage Immigration Program and raised awareness about common scams targeting newcomers. Jessica Juen, Program Manager of the TFW program at CCIS, moderated the sessions, ensuring all questions were addressed and highlighting the wide range of services available to support foreign workers.

Attendees then chose from a variety of breakout sessions tailored to their needs. Brian Krueger and Simonette Pili from the Temporary Foreign Workers Advisory Office discussed workers’ rights and responsibilities, while Barry Mulaney from Employment Standards covered employment-related compliances. Steve Holzer from Occupational Health & Safety provided best practices and safety guidelines. The breakout sessions concluded with Rowan Fisher addressing challenges faced by vulnerable workers seeking open work permits. Simultaneously, Aneta Popa from the BETS team offered practical job search advice, including resume writing and navigating the Canadian job market.

The morning sessions were followed by one-on-one consultations with four lawyers—Jatin Shory, Rowan Fisher, Laura Ann Goulding, and Russ Weninger—who provided free legal advice to 50 TFWs. The BETS team, including Kerry Han, Aneta Popa, Mahyar Alinejad, Smriti Arora, and Hasmik Asmaryan, offered employment consultations to 52 TFWs, sharing tips on resumes and cover letters.

Community partners, including the Mexican Consulate, Carpenters’ Regional Council – Alberta, and Ireri-Mexican, Latino & Cross-Cultural Society, also participated, offering invaluable support. The event’s success was made possible by 26 dedicated volunteers, many of whom are TFW program clients giving back to the community.

Migrante Alberta from Edmonton joined the TFW Assembly with 28 attendees, benefiting from the legal consultations and information sessions. Attendees left the event feeling more confident in navigating the complexities of the Canadian system. One attendee noted, “The CCIS team has been extremely helpful and supportive throughout the whole day. They truly exemplify empathy and compassion.”

Together with our community partners, we strive to empower temporary foreign workers through meaningful engagement at events like the TFW Assembly, supporting their settlement journey in Canada.