published on 30 September 2025 @ 3:08 pm · COMMENT
Changes on the Horizon for the Temporary Foreign Worker Program (TFWP)
As is often the case, the Temporary Foreign Worker Program (TFWP) has once again taken centre stage in national discourse. The latest wave of controversy was sparked after both Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre and British Columbia Premier David Eby called for the program’s complete abolition. A recent study by the Angus Reid Institute highlights that criticism of the TFWP continues to intensify across the political spectrum, contributing to a notable decline in public support compared to this time last year.
In response, Prime Minister Mark Carney announced that the federal government is actively working on reforms to the TFWP. He emphasized the need for the program to adopt a more targeted approach – one that supports specific, strategic sectors and addresses regional labour needs. However, no timeline has been shared for when these changes will be introduced.
Experts remain divided on how best to address the growing concerns surrounding the TFWP. Some advocate for phasing out the program through increased fees, others suggest a more active government role in vetting which businesses may hire foreign workers, while some propose expanding access to open work permits for temporary foreign workers to improve their labour mobility and conditions.
Despite mounting criticism, the program continues to receive strong support from many businesses, particularly those in rural and remote areas, who warn that eliminating the TFWP would force widespread closures due to ongoing labour shortages. The Canadian Chamber of Commerce has echoed this sentiment, calling for a “meticulous review” of the program rather than a full shutdown. The Chamber also pushed back against what it described as growing “misconceptions” linking youth unemployment to the presence of temporary foreign workers.
For now, the government has yet to release specific details on its next steps. With pressure mounting from across political and economic sectors, the path forward for the TFWP remains uncertain, but change is clearly on the way.
filed under: IMMIGRATIONPERMANENT RESIDENCETEMPORARY FOREIGN WORKER