Ontario Liberals promise $10,000 to companies that hire immigrants

The Ontario Liberals have proposed a new tax credit for businesses who hire new Canadians.

The program would provide a $10,000 tax break for employers who hire new Canadians – new Canadian citizens who have lived in Ontario for less than five years.

“The program is for immigrants that are having some trouble finding a job in their specialized field,” said Ontario Liberal candidate Mark MacDonald. “They need the work experience. Some of them are working low paying jobs that are not in their field.”

Encouraging companies to hire immigrants draws criticism

And what about the criticism the program is garnering for seemingly putting new Canadians ahead of natural-born Canadians?

“There are already some programs in existence for Canadian citizens, so this is an extension of that,” said MacDonald. “It’s a newer program to reach out to address some of those areas where there’s a shortage. For me, anything that expedites the process, especially when it comes to doctors and other highly skilled people who have to take a lower paying job… it’s a good thing.”

The program would cost $12 million over four years and be expected to help between 1,000 and 1,200 people annually.