Canadian economists are questioning business narratives around labour shortages following recent restrictions to the Temporary Foreign Worker Program (TFWP).

Katherine Scott from the Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives argues that many employers, particularly large corporations like McDonald's and Tim Hortons, have relied on temporary foreign workers rather than improving wages and working conditions.

While some rural businesses genuinely struggle to find staff, critics point to the food service sector's 4,000% increase in foreign workers between 2016 and 2023 as evidence of dependency rather than necessity.

Both employer groups and migrant advocates agree on one point: workers need clearer pathways to permanent residency.

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