B.C. Premier David Eby’s Call to “Reform or Axe” the Temporary Foreign Worker Program: What It Means
British Columbia Premier David Eby has urged Ottawa to cancel or significantly reform Canada’s Temporary Foreign Worker Program (TFWP), arguing it contributes to youth unemployment and strains on housing and social services in B.C. His comments have intensified a national debate about how Canada should balance real labour shortages with worker protections and community capacity.
What the TFWP Was Designed to Do
The TFWP allows Canadian employers to hire foreign workers to fill temporary jobs when no qualified Canadians are available. It is administered primarily by Employment and Social Development Canada (ESDC), with compliance partnerships across federal departments. The program includes multiple streams (e.g., high-wage, low-wage, primary agriculture) and relies on a Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA) to demonstrate the need for a foreign hire.
Why it exists: Canada has long used temporary labour pathways to help employers bridge real, localized shortages, particularly in agriculture, food processing, hospitality, and caregiving, while protecting the domestic labour market.
Where the Issues Took Root
Over the past decade, the TFWP has expanded and contracted through several reform waves triggered by reports of abuse, wage suppression concerns, and questions about whether some employers were using temporary streams to fill structurally permanent jobs. Civil society and international observers have flagged risks tied to employer-specific (“closed”) work permits, which can increase vulnerability to exploitation. In 2024, a UN Special Rapporteur characterised elements of the program as a “breeding ground” for contemporary forms of slavery, language the federal minister rejected as “inflammatory,” while acknowledging real abuses and calling for reform, particularly in low-wage streams.
What Are the Public Sentiments
Provincial perspective: Political figures such as Premier David Eby argue the TFWP is linked to higher youth unemployment, shelter demand, and housing pressure in, and says it should be cancelled or significantly reformed. His remarks reflect broader concerns about the local impacts of national labour policies.
Federal perspective: The federal government has publicly acknowledged the need to reform aspects of the TFWP after critical findings, with the Immigration Minister noting particular concerns in the low-wage segment.
Business community: Employer groups (notably CFIB and the Canadian Chamber of Commerce) argue the TFWP remains an important pillar for small and mid-sized businesses facing persistent vacancies and demographic headwinds, and they support reforms that simplify hiring while maintaining guardrails.
Worker advocates and NGOs: Worker advocacy organizations and human-rights groups emphasize systemic vulnerabilities, especially under closed permits, and push for greater mobility and pathways to permanence as the most effective safeguards against abuse.
Public opinion: Polling suggests Canadians have grown more cautious about temporary labour inflows and support reducing the TFWP amid concerns over housing and job competition, though views vary by region and sector.
If You’re an Employer or Worker Considering the TFWP
For employers: Expect continued scrutiny of recruitment efforts, wages, and housing/transport (where applicable). Explore whether a Recognised Employer Pilot or streamlined pathway may apply to you to reduce paperwork while maintaining compliance.
For workers: Understand your permit conditions and your options for changing jobs under current policy. Mobility can be crucial to safeguarding rights.
For both: Keep an eye on potential federal reforms in response to ongoing critiques and provincial pressure.
✅ How Ayodele Law Can Help
At Ayodele Law, we represent both employers and workers navigating the TFWP and related work-permit pathways. We can:
Assess whether the TFWP or an alternative (e.g., International Mobility Program, permanent pathways) better fits your needs.
Build compliant LMIA packages and advise on recruitment, wages, housing, and employer obligations.
Guide workers on permit conditions, job-change options, and rights protections under evolving policies.
Thinking about hiring through the TFWP or planning to work in Canada under it? The rules are shifting, and getting the strategy right at the start can save months of delays and reduce risk.
📞Book a consultation today to give your application the best possible chance of success
