Restaurants Canada, the national association representing the country’s foodservice industry, has expressed disappointment over recent changes to the Temporary Foreign Worker (TFW) program, which were announced without consultation with key industry stakeholders, it said.
The changes, introduced by Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, include a significant reduction in the number of temporary foreign workers allowed in the industry, a move that the association warns could have severe repercussions for rural, remote, and tourist regions.
The foodservice industry, which contributes $115 billion annually to the Canadian economy, relies on TFWs to fill critical labour gaps, particularly in areas where local hiring proves challenging. Although TFWs make up only 3% of the industry’s workforce, they have been essential in keeping many restaurants operational, particularly during periods of economic difficulty.
Restaurants Canada has acknowledged the need for reforms to ensure the TFW program is used appropriately, emphasizing the importance of compliance and worker protection. However, the association argues that the newly imposed restrictions—capping TFW use at 10% industry-wide and reducing the maximum employment term from two years to one—fail to consider the unique labour needs across different Canadian communities.
“This one-size-fits-all approach doesn’t effectively support the diverse labour needs across Canadian communities,” the association stated, calling for the government to adopt a more flexible policy that accounts for geographic and socio-economic factors.
Despite its concerns, Restaurants Canada welcomed the government’s commitment to collaborating with businesses to address labour shortages through enhanced training and education for Canadian workers. The association highlighted its ongoing advocacy for a matching and training program aimed at connecting job vacancies in the foodservice industry, which currently has over 73,000 unfilled positions, with the approximately one million unemployed newcomers holding open work permits in Canada.
“We call on the government to engage with Restaurants Canada to better address the needs of the communities we serve across the country,” said Kelly Higginson, President and CEO of Restaurants Canada. “We can play a key role in aligning the government’s goals while minimizing negative impacts on the communities we serve.”