The small basement coffee shop in downtown Ottawa seems an unlikely place to witness the ripple effects of national labour policy. Yet here, owner Marianne Chen has cut her hours by 20 percent since last summer.
“I can’t find local staff willing to work these wages, but the government paperwork to bring in foreign workers is more trouble than it’s worth for a small business like mine,” Chen explains, wiping down the counter during a rare quiet moment.
Stories like Chen’s have become fodder for Conservative leader Pierre Poilievre’s latest policy proposal that’s sending waves through both Canada’s business community and labour advocates. Last week, Poilievre pledged to scrap the Temporary Foreign Worker Program (TFWP) entirely if elected, calling it “exploitative” and harmful to Canadian workers.
“The temporary foreign worker program has been misused by big corporations to drive down wages,” Poilievre told a crowd of supporters in Milton, Ontario. “We’re going to put a stop to that corporate welfare and ensure Canadians get first crack at Canadian jobs.”
The program, which allows employers to hire foreign nationals when qualified Canadians aren’t available, has expanded significantly under Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s government. Statistics Canada reports approximately 781,000 temporary work permit holders were in Canada by the end of 2023, nearly triple the number from a decade ago.
Poilievre’s alternative approach would shift focus to permanent immigration rather than temporary workers. He proposes faster credential recognition for newcomers and tax incentives for businesses that provide skills training to Canadian citizens and permanent residents.
Labour economist Miles Crawford from the University of Toronto sees the proposal as politically clever but practically challenging. “Poilievre is threading a needle here – appealing to working-class concerns about wage suppression while also acknowledging our real labour shortages,” Crawford said. “But eliminating the program overnight would create significant disruption in sectors like agriculture and food service.”
The hospitality sector appears particularly worried. Restaurant Canada figures suggest about 12 percent of kitchen staff across the country hold temporary work permits. The organization’s vice president, Janet McAllister, warns that scrapping the program could force closures.
“Many restaurants already operate on razor-thin margins. Without access to these workers, some businesses simply won’t survive,” McAllister noted in a statement responding to Poilievre’s announcement.
In Manitoba’s agricultural heartland, the concerns are even more acute. Berry farmer Thomas Reichen employs eight temporary foreign workers from Mexico each summer at his operation near Steinbach.
“Local workers don’t want these jobs – they’re seasonal, physical, and outdoors in all conditions,” Reichen says. “These aren’t minimum wage positions either. My foreign workers make $16.50 an hour plus housing, but I still can’t attract Canadians.”
Immigration policy experts point out that Poilievre’s proposal diverges sharply from the Conservative Party’s historical approach. Under former Prime Minister Stephen Harper, the TFWP actually expanded significantly between 2006 and 2014, until concerns about abuse led to reforms.
Poilievre appears to be calculating that worker frustration over stagnant wages will outweigh business concerns. Recent polling by Abacus Data suggests he might be right – 64 percent of Canadians believe the program needs major reform, though only 38 percent support eliminating it entirely.
Immigration lawyer Sarita Verma sees potential merit in reform but questions the all-or-nothing approach. “The program definitely needs better oversight and worker protections,” Verma explains. “But there are sectors where Canadians simply aren’t filling positions despite competitive wages. A more nuanced approach might target problem industries while preserving the program where it’s working.”
Labour advocates have offered conditional support for Poilievre’s proposal while expressing skepticism about his motives. Canadian Labour Congress president Bea Bruske called the announcement “a recognition of problems we’ve highlighted for years,” but questioned whether Poilievre would follow through with real protections for workers.
The governing Liberals have fired back, with Immigration Minister Marc Miller calling Poilievre’s plan “reckless and shortsighted.” Miller defended recent reforms to the program, including pathway-to-permanence options for some temporary workers and increased employer inspections.
Back at her Ottawa coffee shop, Marianne Chen remains unconvinced by politicians on either side. “I just need reliable staff who can make a decent living wage. The details of how they get here matter less to me than having a system that actually works for small businesses.”
As election speculation builds, Poilievre’s proposal highlights the growing tension between Canada’s labour needs and concerns about worker exploitation. The Conservative leader is betting that Canadians are ready for a dramatic shift in how we approach temporary labour – but whether that bet pays off politically remains to be seen.
For now, businesses, workers, and policy experts across the country are left wondering: is this bold vision for reform or simply campaign rhetoric in a pre-election season?
