In a developing crisis that has caught the attention of immigration advocates and employers alike, seven skilled foreign workers at Airex Industries, a Laval-based pollution control company, are now facing imminent deportation due to sweeping reforms to Canada’s Temporary Foreign Worker (TFW) Program introduced in late 2024. These workers—most of them certified welders from countries like Colombia—have been the backbone of the company’s manufacturing operations. But unless urgent action is taken, they may soon be forced to leave the country they now call home.
Table of Contents
This detailed article explores why this is happening, who it affects, and what Canada—and Quebec in particular—stands to lose under the new immigration policies.
What’s Happening: Skilled Welders Face Deportation in May 2025
Airex Industries, in operation since 1975 with around 90 employees, is desperately trying to prevent the deportation of seven temporary foreign workers whose work permits are expiring. These workers—including Fabian Molano from Colombia—are employed under closed work permits, meaning they can only work for Airex Industries.
Due to newly tightened federal regulations, the company is unable to renew their Labour Market Impact Assessments (LMIAs)—a key step in extending a foreign worker’s stay in Canada—because of a steep 20 percent wage increase requirement tied to regional unemployment levels.
Molano expressed his distress, saying:
“I’m stressed. I don’t know what’s going to happen to me or my family.”
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What Changed in the Temporary Foreign Worker (TFW) Program?
The federal government announced updates to the TFW Program in November 2024, primarily aimed at reducing Canada’s temporary resident population from 7 percent to 5 percent by 2026. The intent is to prioritize Canadian workers, particularly in areas where unemployment is high.
Key changes include:
- Higher Wage Requirements
In areas with 6 percent or higher unemployment, employers must now offer 20 percent above the median wage to foreign workers. In Laval and nearby Drummondville, this means welders must be paid at least $33 per hour—a substantial increase many businesses cannot sustain. - Tougher LMIA Approval Criteria
Employers must prove that no Canadian worker is available. Applications failing to meet wage thresholds are immediately rejected. - Focus on Local Hiring
These rules are designed to push employers to hire Canadian citizens or permanent residents first, even in skilled trades where talent is hard to find.
Impact on Businesses Like Airex Industries
President Tony Vasilakos says the company is caught in a policy trap:
“Even though Drummondville has a high unemployment rate, it’s not like I can just find welders here. These workers are irreplaceable.”
Vasilakos says that all seven foreign welders are certified by the Canadian Welding Bureau (CWB), a designation that is increasingly rare in Quebec.
The alternatives?
- Pay $33 per hour—a wage many small manufacturers can’t afford.
- Or lose the workers entirely, risking delays, lost contracts, and production shutdowns.
Who Are These Workers and Why Are They So Critical?
These aren’t temporary laborers. They are certified, experienced tradespeople who have:
- Been loyal to Airex for years
- Filled a long-standing local talent gap
- Contributed economically and socially to their communities
If deported, they lose their homes, their communities lose skilled workers, and the company loses key personnel.
Why Are Welders So Hard to Find in Quebec?
Despite a high provincial unemployment rate, qualified welders are few and far between due to:
- A shrinking trades workforce
- Lack of CWB certification among domestic applicants
- Fewer young people entering skilled trades
This mismatch of job seekers and job openings means that TFWs are often the only viable solution, especially in technical roles like welding.
Broader Fallout Across Quebec and Canada
The TFW changes are not just affecting Airex Industries. Here’s how the new policies are rippling across the province:
- Suspension of Low-Wage LMIA Applications
Montreal and Laval employers can’t submit new low-wage LMIA requests until November 30, 2025 - Shortened Simplified LMIA List
The eligible occupation list dropped from 267 to just 76 roles in February 2025—cutting off many sectors from quick access to foreign talent - PEQ Suspended
Quebec’s Experience Program (PEQ) for permanent residency is temporarily paused until June 30, 2025, leaving even long-term temporary workers no clear path to PR - Recruitment Missions Halted
Quebec’s international hiring fairs like Journées Québec are suspended, further limiting access to skilled immigrants
The Consequences for Quebec’s Economy
Business Closures Possible
Organizations like the Montreal Chamber of Commerce and the Conseil du patronat du Québec have warned that these policies may force businesses to shut down, particularly small and medium enterprises.
Economic Slowdown Likely
With fewer workers:
- Productivity drops
- Delivery times increase
- Business costs rise
These ripple effects could further strain Quebec’s already fragile manufacturing and agricultural sectors
What Can Be Done to Protect These Workers and Businesses?
Adjust Wage Requirements
Implement wage flexibility in sectors with proven labor shortages. Let companies grandfather in current workers without new wage burdens.
Extend Permits Automatically
Provide temporary work permit extensions for workers already in Canada while alternative immigration paths are explored.
Reopen PR Pathways
Fast-track Quebec Experience Program (PEQ) for skilled trades. Allow long-term workers to apply for permanent residency via other federal streams.
What Can Affected Workers Do Right Now?
- Consult an Immigration Professional
Understand personal options like a Bridging Open Work Permit (BOWP) or Humanitarian and Compassionate grounds - Raise Awareness
Contact MPs, community advocates, and media outlets to bring attention to individual cases - Work With Employers
Many, like Airex Industries, are willing to fight for their workforce
Final Takeaway
Canada’s immigration policies must reflect the reality of the labor market—not just raw unemployment data. The case of Airex Industries highlights the risks of a blanket approach to foreign labor restrictions. These workers are not only filling labor gaps—they are building communities and sustaining businesses.
If they are deported over inflexible red tape, Canada will lose more than just welders—it will lose trust, talent, and economic momentum.