Prince Edward Island: New laws regulating recruitment will come into force on 1 April 2025

At a glance

• The first phase of the government of Prince Edward Island’s Temporary Foreign Worker Protection Act is coming into force on 1 April 2025.
• It will introduce several new requirements for employers and recruiters in relation to the employment of foreign workers.

The first phase of the government of Prince Edward Island’s Temporary Foreign Worker Protection Act (Act) is coming into force on 1 April 2025. This phase of the Act will introduce several new requirements for employers and recruiters, including:  

• Recruiters and employers cannot provide false or misleading information relating to recruitment services; immigration; immigration services; employment; or housing.
• Recruiters and employers cannot take possession of, or retain, a foreign worker’s passport or any official documents, unless it is for temporarily copying the document or recording its information.
• Recruiters and employers cannot misrepresent employment opportunities, including details of the position; duties; length of employment; wages and benefits; or other terms.
• Recruiters and employers cannot threaten deportation or any other action where there is no lawful cause. 

Recruiters will have additional requirements under the Act, including: 

• Recruiters cannot charge fees and expenses for recruitment services to foreign workers.
• Recruiters that help employers to find foreign workers must be licenced.
• Recruiters must have a written contract with each employer and foreign worker.