Canada's Immigration Crossroads: Are Temporary Workers a Lifeline or a Liability?

A fierce national debate is underway, centered on the future of jobs for immigrants in Canada and the role of temporary foreign workers.

The federal government is signaling a major shift, aiming to reduce the number of temporary residents and overhaul the controversial Temporary Foreign Worker Program (TFWP).

This policy pivot is already sending ripples through communities that depend on newcomer labour.

Nowhere is this tension more visible than in towns like Jasper, Alberta, a jewel in the Rocky Mountains still healing from a devastating wildfire in 2024.

Diana Donat, a local restaurant owner, watches the reconstruction of her fire-ravaged home from across the street.

She believes many of the hands rebuilding her town belong to temporary workers.

Having once been a temporary foreign worker herself, she speaks with conviction about their importance.

“They work hard, they commit to their job,” she explains, emphasizing their critical role in businesses like restaurants and hotels that fuel the Rocky Mountain tourism jobs market.

Jasper’s economy, heavily reliant on a seasonal influx of visitors, requires up to 3,000 seasonal employees during its peak summer months—a demand local labour pools often cannot meet.

The story is the same for Joseph Francisco, a cook who works tirelessly in Jasper’s bustling kitchens, which saw tourists return quickly after last year’s fires.

But the professional success is shadowed by personal sacrifice.

He describes a profound loneliness, a continent away from his daughter, whom he hasn't held in nearly four years.

“Times are getting tough nowadays,” he says, reflecting the hidden emotional cost for many workers separated from family.

The federal government's recent changes to the TFWP are a direct response to concerns about high unemployment, particularly among younger Canadians.

Ottawa has already implemented caps in certain regions and limited the percentage of a company's workforce that can be comprised of temporary foreign workers.

Employers are now required to navigate the complex Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA) process to prove a genuine need for foreign talent.

Yet, new polling reveals that Canada’s immigrant communities are deeply split on the issue.

A recent survey found that while 36 percent of immigrants believe temporary workers are taking jobs from young people, a larger group—47 percent—argues they fill essential jobs that many Canadians are simply not interested in doing.

This division highlights the complexity of newcomer employment and the varying perspectives within the community.

Catherine Connelly, a professor and business research chair at McMaster University, points out that common perceptions about the TFWP are often outdated.

She notes the program has been significantly altered, making it much harder for companies to hire for low-wage positions.

Connelly pushes back on the idea of fine-tuning the program for specific sectors, arguing it’s an unrealistic approach.

“Labour markets move much more quickly than the government can even hope to,” she states, suggesting that bureaucratic adjustments can't keep pace with real-time economic shifts in the Canadian labour shortage.

Meanwhile, the human impact of these federal government immigration changes is already being felt far from Jasper.

In Montreal, Marco Calabretta, a skilled technician, is facing an uncertain future.

He arrived in Canada through the International Experience Canada program and has spent two years building a life and becoming a valued member of his company.

 His colleagues, he says, have become like a second family.

But recent changes to work permits for immigrants at both the provincial and federal levels have thrown his plans into chaos.

“Everyone hopes I stay,” he shares. “They are trying to do everything to help me.”

His story underscores a critical point made by Irene Bloemraad, Co-Director of the Centre for Migration Studies at the University of British Columbia.

Bloemraad clarifies that the TFWP is just one of many avenues for temporary work in Canada.

“If the Temporary Worker Program was cancelled tomorrow, there would still be hundreds of thousands of people with temporary work visas in Canada,” she explains.

The debate over Canadian immigration policy 2025 has also entered the political arena, with Conservative Party Leader Pierre Poilievre calling for the TFWP to be scrapped entirely in favor of a standalone program for agricultural workers.

The recent poll shows immigrants are evenly divided on this front, with a small but equal share wanting the program ended and another wanting it kept as is.

This deep ambivalence points to a fundamental question Canada must answer.

Bloemraad suggests that reducing temporary pathways should mean returning to a system that views immigration as a long-term investment for both the country and the newcomer.

“It’s not very fair to think that we can just bring in people for our economic growth and then treat them like robots in a factory,” she warns.

The implication is clear: if someone is good enough to work in Canada, they should be good enough to stay.

As the government forges ahead with its new strategy, the lives of workers like Joseph and Marco, and the resilience of communities like Jasper, hang in the balance.

Canada must decide if it wants a transient workforce that serves immediate needs or a permanent community built on mutual commitment.

FAQ: Understanding Jobs for Immigrants in Canada

What is the Temporary Foreign Worker Program (TFWP)?

The TFWP allows Canadian employers to hire foreign nationals to fill temporary labour and skill shortages when qualified Canadians are not available. Employers must typically obtain a Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA) to prove there is a need for a foreign worker.

Are immigrants taking jobs away from Canadians?

This is a central point of debate. Many experts and business owners argue that immigrant workers, particularly through the TFWP, primarily fill jobs that face significant domestic labour shortages, such as in agriculture, hospitality, and specialized trades. However, critics worry about the potential for wage depression and competition in certain sectors, especially during times of higher domestic unemployment.

What are the main pathways for immigrants to find jobs in Canada?

Immigrants find work through various channels, including federal skilled worker programs like Express Entry, provincial nominee programs (PNPs), the Temporary Foreign Worker Program, International Experience Canada (for youth), and post-graduation work permits for international students. Each program has different requirements and targets different types of workers.