A new poll shows Canadian employers may face growing political pressure over their use of temporary foreign workers, with 44 per cent of Canadians supporting elimination of the federal program.
The Abacus Data survey found sharp divisions across age groups, regions and political parties on Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre’s proposal to phase out the Temporary Foreign Worker Program, according to pollster David Coletto. Last week, B.C. Premier David Eby also jumped on the “cancel or significantly reform” bandwagon.
Younger workers show strongest support
Support for eliminating the program peaks among Canadians aged 30 to 44 at 50 per cent and those aged 18 to 29 at 48 per cent, the poll found. Only 37 per cent of Canadians over 60 support the proposal.
The generational split points to concerns about wages and job opportunities among younger workers, while older Canadians show greater worry about workforce stability and economic disruption, according to Abacus Data.
Regional divide mirrors political lines
Alberta shows the highest support at 54 per cent, followed by Saskatchewan and Manitoba at 49 per cent and Ontario at 48 per cent. Quebec residents are least supportive at 34 per cent.
Conservative voters back eliminating the program by 61 per cent, with only 17 per cent opposed. Liberal voters are split almost evenly, with 37 per cent supporting elimination and 39 per cent opposing it.
Immigration rises as political issue
The poll results come as immigration has climbed to one of the top five national issues, with nearly one in four Canadians ranking it among their top three concerns, Coletto said.
Thirty per cent of Canadians oppose eliminating the temporary foreign worker program, while 18 per cent remain neutral or undecided, the survey found.
Survey methodology
Abacus Data surveyed 3,000 Canadians from Sept. 4 to 7, 2025, using partner panels from the Lucid exchange platform. The margin of error for a comparable random sample is plus or minus 1.8 percentage points, 19 times out of 20.
The data were weighted to match Canada’s population by age, gender and region, according to the polling firm.
