The law says
IRPR r. 196196 A foreign national must not work in Canada unless authorized to do so by a work permit or these Regulations.
Justice Laws is the authoritative version. If this copy and it ever differ, Justice Laws wins.
Immigration and Refugee Protection Regulations
r. 196 Work permit required
- PART 11 Workers
- DIVISION 1 General Rules
- Work Permits
Last verified: June 2026 · Source: justice.gc.ca
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Sections numbered under r. 196
Each of these is its own section of the Regulations, numbered after section 196.
IRPR r. 196.1
Verify on justice.gc.ca(opens in a new tab)Restrictions
What that means
Some employers are off limits. You cannot sign or extend an employment agreement with an employer who regularly offers striptease, erotic dance, escort services or erotic massage. The same goes for an employer declared ineligible for breaking the employer rules, or one that owes an unpaid penalty. The ban is on you, the worker, not only on the employer.
The law says
196.1 A foreign national must not enter into an employment agreement, or extend the term of an employment agreement, with an employer
- (a)who, on a regular basis, offers striptease, erotic dance, escort services or erotic massages; or
- (b)referred to in subparagraph 200(3)(h)(ii) or (iii).
IRPR r. 196.2
Verify on justice.gc.ca(opens in a new tab)Abuse
What that means
This rule sets out what counts as abuse when a worker asks for help. The list is broad. Physical abuse covers assault and forcible confinement. Sexual abuse covers sexual contact without consent. Threats and intimidation are psychological abuse, and fraud and extortion are financial abuse. Reprisals count too. A reprisal is your employer punishing you because you reported a broken condition or cooperated with an inspection. The punishment can be discipline, a demotion, or worse.
The law says
(1)For the purpose of this Part abuse consists of any of the following:
- (a)physical abuse, including assault and forcible confinement;
- (b)sexual abuse, including sexual contact without consent;
- (c)psychological abuse, including threats and intimidation;
- (d)financial abuse, including fraud and extortion; and
- (e)reprisals.
Reprisal
(2)For the purpose of subsection (1) reprisal consists of any measure, including the following, that is taken by or on behalf of an employer against a foreign national referred to in subparagraph 200(1)(c)(ii.1) or (iii) – and that adversely affects the foreign national’s employment or working conditions – because the foreign national has reported that the conditions set out in section 209.2 or 209.3 have not been complied with or has in good faith cooperated with an inspection conducted under section 209.7, 209.8 or 209.9:
- (a)a disciplinary measure;
- (b)a demotion;
- (c)a dismissal; or
- (d)any threat to take any of the measures mentioned above.