Today on the Hill: Proposals for cracking down on abuse of foreign workers

OTTAWA - Members of Parliament and others close to the debate over temporary foreign workers have something new to think about today.

A discussion paper posted by the federal government overnight proposes issuing lifetime bans and heftier fines on employers caught abusing the workers.

Currently there are only two-year bans imposed on companies that have broken the rules.

But the government is proposing permanent bans, along with one-, five- and 10-year moratoriums, that would forbid businesses from applying for temporary foreign workers.

Fines could also range from $500 to $100,000 for serious violations.

Here are some other expected highlights on or around Parliament Hill today:

— We'll get a better picture of the state of cybercrime when Statistics Canada releases a report on the subject, looking at 2012 data;

— Statcan will also release payroll employment and earnings and hours reports for July;

— The Supreme Court of Canada will issue decisions in a number of applications for leave to appeal;

— German President Joachim Gauck continues his state visit to Canada with a tour of Ottawa's Advanced Research Complex and a ceremony at the war museum in commemoration of the 100th anniversary of the First World War;

— And Paul Davidson, the president of the Association of Universities and Colleges Canada will speak to the Economic Club of Canada about how universities are preparing students for the labour market.