Industry leaders are speaking out in response to B.C. Premier David Eby’s comments earlier this week calling for the cancellation or reform of the temporary foreign worker (TFW) program.

On Thursday, Eby and federal Opposition Leader Pierre Poilievre both suggested axing the program, linking it to youth unemployment and other issues.

Eby attributed B.C.’s 12 per cent youth unemployment rate to immigration programs such as international student visas and TFWs, but many in the hospitality sector say the province is misinformed.

“When people say we’re doing it for cheap labour, it’s not,” said Brad Macleod, president and managing partner of C-Lovers Fish and Chips in Langley.

“It costs us $5,000 to $8,000 to bring in a foreign worker. We pay the same wage. It’s become a political football

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