Canadian Chamber of Commerce Calls for Review of Temporary Foreign Worker Program Amidst Controversy
The Canadian Chamber of Commerce is advocating for a "meticulous review" of the Temporary Foreign Worker Program (TFWP), responding to increasing demands for its termination. The Chamber argues that data does not strongly support a link between youth unemployment and the use of temporary foreign workers.
Chamber's Concerns About the Immigration System
In a letter to federal employment and immigration ministers, the Canadian Chamber of Commerce expressed concerns about the current state of Canada's immigration system. Diana Palmerin-Velasco, senior director of the chamber’s future of work department, stated that the system "is facing a crisis" and "doesn’t seem to be working well for anyone, not for newcomers, not for employers. It has become too complicated."
Palmerin-Velasco emphasized the importance of immigration as an economic imperative, stating, "There are no clear rules and predictability, and this letter comes out of a concern that we might be forgetting that immigration is actually an economic imperative." She also noted that the jobs filled by temporary workers are often in rural and remote areas, involving overnight shifts, and are not typically sought by individuals aged 15 to 24.
Key Sectors Facing Labor Challenges
The Canadian Chamber of Commerce identified several key sectors experiencing "persistent labor challenges." These include agriculture, construction, accommodation, food processing, and food services.
Government and Opposition Perspectives
A spokesperson for Immigration Minister Lena Diab’s office reported that 39,150 temporary foreign workers entered Canada between January 1 and July 31 of this year, with a target intake of 82,000 for the year. Meanwhile, the Conservative Party has been urging the government to end the TFWP due to concerns about high youth unemployment, which Statistics Canada reported at 14.5 percent in August.
Employment Minister Patty Hajdu’s press secretary, Jennifer Kozelj, stated that temporary foreign workers constitute "approximately one per cent of the labour force in Canada." She added that "Because of restrictions put in place, the flow of low wage foreign workers is down 70 per cent this year," and that Canada remains committed to managing temporary resident levels as outlined in the 2025-2027 Immigration Levels Plan.
International Mobility Program
The Canadian Chamber of Commerce's letter also calls for better data collection on the International Mobility Program (IMP). The IMP allows employers to hire temporary foreign workers without a Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA) under certain circumstances, such as free trade agreements like CUSMA or when individuals bring economic, competitive, or cultural benefits to Canada.
Palmerin-Velasco emphasized the need to ensure that programs like the IMP are contributing to Canada's economy. The admissions target for the International Mobility Program this year is just under 286,000 and is set to decrease to approximately 129,000 next year under the Immigration Levels Plan.
