Youth unemployment in Canada has reached 14.6%, according to the latest data from Statistics Canada. This figure marks the highest rate for July since 2009, when it was 15.9% during the Great Recession. Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre has taken a strong stance against the use of temporary foreign workers (TFWs) to fill job vacancies, arguing that the government is sidelining young Canadians in favor of low-wage foreign labor.

On Wednesday, Poilievre questioned the rationale behind employing TFWs instead of local youth. "Why is the government shutting our own youth out of jobs and replacing them with low-wage temporary foreign workers from poor countries who are ultimately being exploited?" he asked. His comments reflect a growing concern among some Canadians about the reliance on foreign workers in the job market.

Companies that utilize TFWs argue that they are not seeking cheaper labor but are struggling to find local candidates. For instance, Tim Hortons stated that less than five percent of its workforce consists of TFWs, primarily in small towns where local labor is scarce. However, critics find it puzzling that some communities cannot find enough workers to staff essential services like coffee shops.

The Canadian Federation of Independent Business (CFIB) has also expressed concerns, suggesting that businesses are looking for any available workers, regardless of their origin. This raises questions about the effectiveness of the TFW program, especially in sectors that traditionally attracted young Canadians during the summer months.

A Deloitte study commissioned by the King’s Trust Canada estimated that increasing youth engagement in the workforce could boost Canada’s GDP by $18.5 billion by 2034 and create an additional 228,000 jobs. This highlights the potential economic benefits of prioritizing local youth employment.

The debate over TFWs has intensified as inflation has affected the cost of living, leading many to reconsider the necessity of imported labor for low-wage jobs. Poilievre's position resonates with those who believe that Canadian jobs should be filled by Canadian workers, especially as the economy faces challenges.

As the political landscape evolves, the Conservative Party's focus on youth employment may gain traction among voters who are concerned about job opportunities for young Canadians. The Liberal government, on the other hand, has been criticized for its complex approach to labor issues, often seeking to balance competing interests without clear solutions.