Conservative Party Leader Pierre Poilievre is advocating for the elimination of Canada’s temporary foreign worker program. However, some business owners in the London area argue that scrapping the program entirely is not the solution. Currently, Canadian businesses can hire foreign workers if they demonstrate that no Canadian citizen or permanent resident is available for the job. The program reached its peak last year with approximately 190,000 work permit holders, but only about 33,000 new temporary foreign workers have arrived since January due to new federal restrictions.

Poilievre claims that the program contributes to a labor market flooded with low-wage workers, making it difficult for young Canadians to find employment. He has proposed creating a new program specifically for agricultural businesses facing worker shortages, despite the existence of a separate immigration stream for farm workers.

Joe Preston, the mayor of St. Thomas and a Wendy's franchise owner, supports Poilievre's stance but acknowledges the complexities of the issue. "I agree with Mr. Poilievre. We should not be ever putting somebody into a job where a Canadian youth could be getting it," Preston said. However, he added, "I'm not sure that we can be absolute on something like TFWs." Preston has never hired through the program, opting instead to retain his current employees by offering competitive wages and benefits.

The restaurant industry, particularly fast food chains, heavily relies on foreign labor. Omar Hamam, CEO of the London-based chain Tahini's, stated, "Right now, the restaurant industry is dominated by a lot of foreign workers." He believes that without foreign workers, many restaurants would struggle to operate.

Di Shao, owner of Sushi Galore, echoed this sentiment, noting the difficulty in finding local sushi chefs. While he hires local workers for front-of-house positions, he often resorts to the temporary foreign worker program for kitchen staff. Shao has attempted to train local applicants, but many leave after a short period due to the demanding nature of the work.

Experts have raised concerns about the temporary foreign worker program, particularly regarding its impact on wages and innovation. Some economists argue that the program can suppress wage growth and discourage businesses from investing in new technologies. Christopher Worswick, an economist at Carleton University, stated, "Not only does it potentially hold the wage fixed, it could lead to less investments in new technology."

Osborne Burke, general manager of the Victoria Co-operative Fisheries, emphasized the necessity of the program in rural areas where local labor is scarce. He noted, "I cannot hire people that do not exist."

The program has faced criticism for creating a power imbalance between employers and temporary foreign workers. Jason Foster, a professor of human resources and labor relations, pointed out that workers often feel vulnerable due to their permits being tied to a single employer. Lisa Jane de Gara, a settlement worker, highlighted that many workers pay significant fees to secure their jobs, leading to potential exploitation.

In response to the ongoing debate, some experts suggest reforms to the program. Mikal Skuterud, an economist, proposed phasing out the low-skilled streams and implementing a fee structure based on local employment rates. He believes this would encourage businesses to invest in technology and training for Canadian workers.

Foster also suggested that temporary foreign workers should be granted open work permits, allowing them to change jobs more freely. This change could reduce their vulnerability to mistreatment and improve their overall working conditions.

As discussions continue, the future of the temporary foreign worker program remains uncertain, with various stakeholders advocating for different approaches to address labor shortages while protecting the interests of Canadian workers.