Province seeks feedback on regulations to protect temporary foreign workers
The province is inviting the public to share their feedback on proposed regulations to further strengthen protections for temporary foreign workers in Prince Edward Island.
The regulations under the Temporary Foreign Worker Protection Act will establish an employer registry and introduce penalties for anyone who does not comply with the act. These draft regulations were developed following public consultation in spring 2025.
“Prince Edward Island is committed to making sure every worker, no matter where they come from, is treated fairly and has access to safe and transparent employment opportunities. These new measures are about taking a proactive approach to building a strong system. Employer registration will help us identify who is hiring foreign workers and ensure they are operating responsibly, while administrative penalties will provide important tools to enforce the law when violations occur. Together, they will help ensure we have the right safeguards in place to protect workers and maintain confidence in the system.”
- Minister of Workforce and Advanced Learning Zack Bell
The proposed regulations:
- require employers hiring foreign nationals to register with the province;
- establish a publicly accessible employer registry;
- require employers to provide information about their business, recruitment practices, positions being filled, wages and benefits, and foreign worker employment;
- establish an administrative penalty framework; and
- introduce penalties ranging from $500 to $3,000 for non-compliance, with higher penalties for repeat violations.
The draft regulations and information on how to participate in the consultation are available here. Feedback can be submitted to labourrelations@gov.pe.ca until September 17, 2026.
The Temporary Foreign Worker Protection Act is being brought into force in phases. Phase 1 took effect on April 1, 2025, and introduced licensing requirements for recruiters who recruit foreign nationals for employment in Prince Edward Island, increasing oversight and accountability within the recruitment industry.
Media contact:
April Gallant
Department of Workforce and Advanced Learning
aldgallant@gov.pe.ca