The effect of lack of citizenship on the wages of low-skilled non-permanent resident workers in Canada

This dissertation explores the effects of lack of citizenship on the wages of low-skilled Non-Permanent Residents (NPRs) in Canada—a category that includes temporary foreign workers, refugee claimants, and people with temporary resident visas on humanitarian grounds. The dissertation uses the 2006 census and quantitative methods (cross-tabulation and regression analysis) to evaluate wage differences between low-skilled workers without citizenship and low-skilled workers with citizenship or permanent resident status. Differences are calculated at the industry sector level and occupation level. The analysis further considers a set of intrinsic characteristics of low-skilled workers (including sex, level of education, official language ability and country of birth) and their occupations (provincial location, rural/urban setting). Empirically, this dissertation confirms that there is a penalty attached to lack of citizenship for low-skilled workers. In absolute terms, low-skilled NPRs earn low wages. In relative terms, these NPRs earn less than both the Canadian-born and immigrants low-skilled workers employed in the same occupations. Among low-skilled NPRs themselves, the Canadian labour market exhibits a hierarchy of wages and labour experiences on the lines of workers' country of birth, province of residence, and rural/urban place of work. Among low–skilled workers born in the same country, wages improve when either citizenship or the rights attached to permanent residence are acquired. From a policy perspective, the dissertation identifies the policy origins and drivers of low wages among low-skilled non-citizens. The thesis makes the case for the relevance of quantitative outcomes analyzed through a critical social lens. From a theoretical perspective too, the dissertation also shows how the state as a biased broker (towards capital) facilitates the implementation of non-citizenship as a means to accessing cheap labour.

The effect of lack of citizenship on the wages of low-skilled non-permanent resident workers in Canada

This dissertation explores the effects of lack of citizenship on the wages of low-skilled Non-Permanent Residents (NPRs) in Canada—a category that includes temporary foreign workers, refugee claimants, and people with temporary resident visas on humanitarian grounds. The dissertation uses the 2006 census and quantitative methods (cross-tabulation and regression analysis) to evaluate wage differences between low-skilled workers without citizenship and low-skilled workers with citizenship or permanent resident status. Differences are calculated at the industry sector level and occupation level. The analysis further considers a set of intrinsic characteristics of low-skilled workers (including sex, level of education, official language ability and country of birth) and their occupations (provincial location, rural/urban setting). Empirically, this dissertation confirms that there is a penalty attached to lack of citizenship for low-skilled workers. In absolute terms, low-skilled NPRs earn low wages. In relative terms, these NPRs earn less than both the Canadian-born and immigrants low-skilled workers employed in the same occupations. Among low-skilled NPRs themselves, the Canadian labour market exhibits a hierarchy of wages and labour experiences on the lines of workers' country of birth, province of residence, and rural/urban place of work. Among low–skilled workers born in the same country, wages improve when either citizenship or the rights attached to permanent residence are acquired. From a policy perspective, the dissertation identifies the policy origins and drivers of low wages among low-skilled non-citizens. The thesis makes the case for the relevance of quantitative outcomes analyzed through a critical social lens. From a theoretical perspective too, the dissertation also shows how the state as a biased broker (towards capital) facilitates the implementation of non-citizenship as a means to accessing cheap labour.

Low-skilled temporary foreign workers in Canada : how their subordinate status is discursively legitimated through public opinion

This paper attempts to show how public opinion discursively legitimates the subordinate status that low-skilled temporary foreign workers are assigned in Canada. The author first shows how this status has been created through the Temporary Foreign Worker Program and, more specifically, the Pilot Project for Occupations Requiring Lower Levels of Formal Training. In order to analyze public opinion, comments made online in reference to news outlet articles concerning low-skilled temporary foreign workers were located. Using a dual labor market theoretical framework a critical discourse analysis is performed on these comments, attempting to uncover how power and dominance are reproduced within them. The results of this analysis demonstrate how the discourse contained within public opinion helps to maintain the current status faced by this population.

Low-skilled temporary foreign workers in Canada : how their subordinate status is discursively legitimated through public opinion

This paper attempts to show how public opinion discursively legitimates the subordinate status that low-skilled temporary foreign workers are assigned in Canada. The author first shows how this status has been created through the Temporary Foreign Worker Program and, more specifically, the Pilot Project for Occupations Requiring Lower Levels of Formal Training. In order to analyze public opinion, comments made online in reference to news outlet articles concerning low-skilled temporary foreign workers were located. Using a dual labor market theoretical framework a critical discourse analysis is performed on these comments, attempting to uncover how power and dominance are reproduced within them. The results of this analysis demonstrate how the discourse contained within public opinion helps to maintain the current status faced by this population.

Constructing the nation through immigration law and legal processes of belonging

The aim of this critical literature review is to define the connection between immigration policies and the construction of a national identity, and to discuss what the implications of such connections may be. Tracing how the legal subjectivity of the migrant has developed throughout time and through policy reveals how messages about the nation and Others are created, sustained, and circulated through legal policies. What values are implicit within Canadian immigration policy? How does the migrant ‘other’ help ‘us’ stay ‘us’? How do nationalist ideologies construct the Other and how is this reflected in labour market segmentation? Constructing a national identity involves categorizing migrants into legal categories of belonging, a process in which historical positions of power are both legitimized and re-established through law. Discourses about temporary foreign workers provide examples of how the Other is framed in limited terms and in opposition to that of legitimate members of Canadian society. Key Terms: Citizenship, discourse, subjectivity, immigration law, identity, power, humanitarianism, temporary foreign workers, labour market segmentation.

Strengthening Labour and Employment Rights For Illegalized Workers

This major research paper (MRP) takes a critical perspective on the neo-liberal policies that are generating illegalized immigrants, notably the temporary foreign workers program. The state is fully aware that these policies are generating a pool of flexible and exploitable illegalized workers. In order to show the public that it is controlling the “illegal” immigration phenomenon, the state continues to uphold strict border patrol and immigration laws. However, state tactics are merely for show, as most illegalized immigrants originally enter through legal avenues. Many illegalized immigrants are forced into the underground workforce, which makes them vulnerable to exploitation by employers. Although Toronto is a Sanctuary City and provides access to illegalized immigrants, it cannot fully protect them from workplace violations, as labour and employment rights are under provincial jurisdiction. Thus, Ontario should become a Sanctuary Province, in order to provide equitable employment to illegalized workers.

Making Wrong Look Right : The Role of Media in the Exclusion of Migrant Farm Workers

Since the 1960s, Ontario farms have become temporary worksites for temporary workers. Despite this permanent use of temporary labour on Ontario farms the workers remain largely invisible and unrecognized. The purpose of this research project is to address this misconception and unveil the hidden or otherwise ignored way that our food ends up on our kitchen tables. While the larger purpose of the paper is to dispel the myths that circulate around food production in Ontario, the paper will demonstrate how media in all four countries continue to feed into the hegemonic discourse that surrounds the use of temporary foreign workers in Canada. This research will offer a discussion for why is it this exclusion of farm workers has been rationalized through a critical analysis of the media discourse that has circulated through four different counties, including Canada, Mexico, Jamaica and Guatemala.

Strengthening Labour and Employment Rights For Illegalized Workers

This major research paper (MRP) takes a critical perspective on the neo-liberal policies that are generating illegalized immigrants, notably the temporary foreign workers program. The state is fully aware that these policies are generating a pool of flexible and exploitable illegalized workers. In order to show the public that it is controlling the “illegal” immigration phenomenon, the state continues to uphold strict border patrol and immigration laws. However, state tactics are merely for show, as most illegalized immigrants originally enter through legal avenues. Many illegalized immigrants are forced into the underground workforce, which makes them vulnerable to exploitation by employers. Although Toronto is a Sanctuary City and provides access to illegalized immigrants, it cannot fully protect them from workplace violations, as labour and employment rights are under provincial jurisdiction. Thus, Ontario should become a Sanctuary Province, in order to provide equitable employment to illegalized workers.

Making Wrong Look Right : The Role of Media in the Exclusion of Migrant Farm Workers

Since the 1960s, Ontario farms have become temporary worksites for temporary workers. Despite this permanent use of temporary labour on Ontario farms the workers remain largely invisible and unrecognized. The purpose of this research project is to address this misconception and unveil the hidden or otherwise ignored way that our food ends up on our kitchen tables. While the larger purpose of the paper is to dispel the myths that circulate around food production in Ontario, the paper will demonstrate how media in all four countries continue to feed into the hegemonic discourse that surrounds the use of temporary foreign workers in Canada. This research will offer a discussion for why is it this exclusion of farm workers has been rationalized through a critical analysis of the media discourse that has circulated through four different counties, including Canada, Mexico, Jamaica and Guatemala.

Constructing the nation through immigration law and legal processes of belonging

The aim of this critical literature review is to define the connection between immigration policies and the construction of a national identity, and to discuss what the implications of such connections may be. Tracing how the legal subjectivity of the migrant has developed throughout time and through policy reveals how messages about the nation and Others are created, sustained, and circulated through legal policies. What values are implicit within Canadian immigration policy? How does the migrant ‘other’ help ‘us’ stay ‘us’? How do nationalist ideologies construct the Other and how is this reflected in labour market segmentation? Constructing a national identity involves categorizing migrants into legal categories of belonging, a process in which historical positions of power are both legitimized and re-established through law. Discourses about temporary foreign workers provide examples of how the Other is framed in limited terms and in opposition to that of legitimate members of Canadian society. Key Terms: Citizenship, discourse, subjectivity, immigration law, identity, power, humanitarianism, temporary foreign workers, labour market segmentation.