Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre is advocating for the discontinuation of the temporary foreign worker program, alleging that it has saturated the labor market with inexpensive labor, hindering young Canadians’ job prospects. Poilievre criticized the Liberal government for favoring low-wage foreign workers over Canadian youth. Despite proposing the elimination of the temporary foreign worker (TFW) program, the Conservatives plan to introduce a distinct program specifically for challenging-to-fill agricultural positions.
Canada presently operates the Seasonal Agricultural Worker Program (SAWP) for farm labor needs, permitting employers to recruit workers from Mexico and select Caribbean nations. Poilievre emphasized that the issue lies with the government and “liberal corporate elites” exploiting foreign workers for personal gain, not with the workers themselves.
Conservative MP Michelle Rempel Garner highlighted the impact on young Canadians, mentioning how they used to acquire essential skills and financial stability through entry-level jobs, a scenario that has been disrupted by the influx of foreign labor. Poilievre raised concerns about the government exceeding the promised TFW permit cap of 82,000 by already issuing 105,000 permits this year.
In response, the Liberal government disputed Poilievre’s figures, noting that only 33,722 TFWs entered the country between January and June, constituting 40% of the expected total for the year. The issued permits, including extensions for individuals already in Canada, total 105,000 this year, reflecting a decrease in new temporary workers compared to the previous year.
Prime Minister Mark Carney acknowledged the importance of the foreign worker program but expressed intentions to review its effectiveness in conjunction with the immigration system. Dan Kelly from the Canadian Federation for Independent Business supported the government’s pandemic-related adjustments to the program but opposed its permanent abolition, citing the practical need for foreign workers in certain industries and regions.
Statistics Canada reported a halt in population growth in the first quarter of the year, linked partly to reduced immigration levels set by the federal government in 2024. The sluggish growth marked the sixth consecutive quarter of decelerated population increase, with immigration compensating for a decline in natural births. Canada’s population currently stands at 41,548,787 individuals.