A new survey by the Angus Reid Institute reveals growing public discontent with Canada’s Temporary Foreign Worker Program (TFWP), signaling a nation-wide shift in attitudes toward the decades-old initiative designed to fill labour shortages. According to Maple News, more than half of surveyed Canadians (52%) now hold a negative view of the program, while only 23% view it positively.
Public criticism appears broad and deep, cutting across regions and political affiliations. Even among Liberal and Conservative voters—typically divided on immigration matters—support remains limited. Reforms made over the past decade, such as splitting the program into high- and low-wage streams, have done little to restore trust.
One of the major concerns raised is the perceived economic impact of the TFWP. A significant majority of respondents believe the program is exacerbating three key issues: worsening the housing crisis (66%), reducing job opportunities for young Canadians (61%), and negatively affecting the labour market at large (54%). These concerns are felt most acutely in provinces like Alberta and Saskatchewan, where more than 70% of respondents say too many temporary foreign workers are being admitted.
Interestingly, awareness levels influence opinion: Canadians familiar with the program tend to be its harshest critics. Among those well-informed, 73% hold a negative view, indicating that increased understanding may be fueling dissatisfaction rather than assuaging it.
Despite the criticisms, most Canadians do not hold foreign workers personally responsible for these issues. A clear majority (58%) believe that TFWs are being unfairly blamed for broader economic challenges beyond their control. Instead, public frustration is largely aimed at systemic oversight and federal policy design.
Allegations of abuse and exploitation further cloud public opinion. Between April and October 2024, federal inspections revealed that 11% of employers were non-compliant with program regulations, leading to 20 employer bans. Concerns over the restrictive nature of employer-specific work permits, which critics say lead to power imbalances and workplace vulnerability, have also drawn public scrutiny.
The generational divide is another contributing factor. Older Canadians (65 and up) tend to view the program more favorably, while younger Canadians—facing rising living costs and a challenging job market—are more likely to see the TFWP as detrimental to their prospects.
Furthermore, support for transitioning temporary foreign workers into permanent residents or citizens is declining. Only 30% of Canadians now support a pathway to citizenship for TFWs, down from 36% in 2024. This shift suggests growing uncertainty about Canada’s capacity to absorb temporary workers in the long term, especially amid economic pressures and housing constraints.
While half of Canadians believe that domestic youth are unlikely to apply for the jobs typically offered through the TFWP—such as caregiving, agriculture, and low-wage service roles—many still question whether the program fairly serves Canadian job markets and whether appropriate oversight is in place to prevent abuse.
As public sentiment grows more critical, federal officials face mounting pressure to reevaluate the program. Maple News reports that restoring public trust will require balancing Canada’s economic needs with improved worker protections, transparent governance, and a clearer path forward for immigration policy.