Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre has called on the Canadian federal government to end the temporary foreign worker (TFW) program. He believes that the program has flooded the job market with cheap labour, making it harder for young Canadians to find work. Speaking in Mississauga, Ontario, Poilievre asked why Canadian youth are being “shut out of jobs” while low-wage foreign workers are brought in from poorer countries.

Poilievre argued that the Liberal government and “liberal corporate elites” are using the program to exploit foreign workers for profit. He emphasized that the temporary foreign workers themselves are not to blame but said the system unfairly prioritizes low-cost labour over opportunities for Canadian youth.

Proposal to Scrap TFW Program

The Conservative Party has stated that while they want the temporary foreign worker program removed, they will create a separate, focused program for difficult-to-fill agricultural jobs. Canada already has a Seasonal Agricultural Worker Program (SAWP), which allows employers to bring in workers from Mexico and other participating Caribbean countries.

Poilievre stressed that his proposal would still ensure agricultural needs are met without affecting young Canadians seeking jobs in other industries. Conservative MP Michelle Rempel Garner said that young Canadians once had the opportunity to gain vital skills, earn money for school, and build their future. She criticized the Liberals for “breaking that deal” by allowing foreign workers to dominate entry-level positions.

Debate Over Numbers and Permits

Pierre Poilievre said that although the Liberals promised a cap of 82,000 TFWs in 2025, the government has already issued 105,000 permits. He warned that if the same pace continues, records for temporary foreign worker permits would be broken again.

However, the Liberal government issued a statement claiming Poilievre’s figures were “inaccurate or incomplete.” Immigration Minister Lena Diab’s office clarified that only 33,722 TFWs entered Canada between January and June 2025. This represents about 40 percent of the total number expected for the year. The 105,000 permits mentioned by Poilievre include extensions for workers already in Canada, not just new arrivals.

Overall, Diab said 125,903 fewer new temporary workers arrived between January and June 2025 compared to the same period in 2024.

Prime Minister Addresses TFW Program

Prime Minister Mark Carney commented that the temporary foreign worker program has an important role but should be reviewed as part of Canada’s broader immigration system. Speaking in Toronto, Carney said that business leaders’ main concerns are tariffs and access to more foreign workers. He emphasized that the program must be focused and efficient to meet Canada’s economic needs.

Carney’s administration plans to reduce immigration as a proportion of the population from seven to five percent over the next few years. He acknowledged that the government is reviewing both the TFW program and overall immigration policies to ensure they are balanced and effective.

Supporters and Critics React

Some business leaders, including Dan Kelly, president of the Canadian Federation for Independent Business (CFIB), support the government’s previous measures to open up space for temporary foreign workers during the pandemic. He also backed the tightening of the program since then. However, he argued that permanently scrapping the program is unrealistic.

Kelly noted that many Canadian youth would not move to rural areas to fill jobs. For example, someone in Toronto is unlikely to relocate to Saskatchewan to work in a fast-food restaurant. He said the TFW program helps businesses fill necessary roles where local workers may not be available.

Advocates Raise Concerns

Advocates for migrant workers have criticized Poilievre’s proposal. Raul Gatica, board member of the Dignidad Migrante Society, said that ending the program could leave more migrants in Canada without proper documentation. He called the proposal politically motivated and said it would harm vulnerable workers rather than addressing the actual employment problem.

Many migrant workers rely on the TFW program for legal employment, and removing it without a suitable alternative could increase undocumented labour and create additional social challenges.

Population Growth and Immigration Trends

Canada’s population growth has slowed significantly. Statistics Canada reported that population growth stalled in the first three months of the year, marking the sixth consecutive quarter of slower growth. The decline is partially attributed to federal decisions in 2024 to reduce levels of temporary and permanent immigration.

In the first quarter of 2025, the slow growth rate was the second-slowest since comparable records began in 1946. Deaths exceeded births by 5,628, and overall population growth relied entirely on immigration. Between January 1 and April 1, the population rose by just 20,107, the smallest increase since early 2020 during the COVID-19 pandemic. Canada now has a total population of 41,548,787 people.

Government Plans and Challenges

The Liberal government, led by Prime Minister Carney, is trying to stabilize population growth and manage immigration levels while balancing labour market needs. Officials are reviewing the temporary foreign worker program to ensure it serves its intended purpose without displacing Canadian workers or causing social tension.

The government’s focus includes:

• Reviewing TFW permits and cap limits
• Ensuring agricultural and essential labour needs are met
• Balancing labour availability with fair wages for domestic workers
• Maintaining legal pathways for migrants and seasonal workers

Political Debate and Public Opinion

The TFW program has become a key political issue. Conservatives argue it undermines job opportunities for Canadian youth, while Liberals defend the program as essential for sectors facing labour shortages. The debate is also tied to broader discussions about immigration, population growth, and economic policy in Canada.

Public opinion is divided. Some Canadians support stricter limits on foreign workers, believing the program negatively affects wages and job access. Others stress the economic necessity of temporary foreign workers, especially in agriculture, hospitality, and services.

The future of Canada’s temporary foreign worker program remains uncertain. Pierre Poilievre and the Conservatives are pushing for a complete overhaul, citing concerns about job opportunities for young Canadians and low wages. The Liberal government, led by Prime Minister Carney, is reviewing the program as part of broader immigration reforms.

Both sides recognize the program’s role in addressing labour shortages, but disagreements remain on how to balance the needs of Canadian workers with economic and humanitarian requirements. As the debate continues, policymakers, business leaders, and advocacy groups are closely monitoring changes that could affect the workforce, population growth, and Canada’s labour market stability.