The Temporary Foreign Worker Program (TFWP) for many years was a key instrument for attracting foreign labor force to Canada. It allowed employers to cover labor shortages in strategic sectors of the economy where local workers were lacking. However, recent events show that the role of the TFWP in modern Canada is becoming a subject of sharp discussions. Public opinion polls have shown a significant division in society, and political leaders are making opposite statements – from the complete abolition of the program to its large-scale reform.
Thus, today the TFWP is not only a matter of immigration and economic policy, but also a symbol of broader social dilemmas: fairness in the labor market, regional interests, the role of foreigners in the development of the country, and the future of national identity.
Public Opinion: Results of the Abacus Data Study
At the beginning of September 2025, the sociological company Abacus Data conducted a large-scale survey among 3000 Canadians, which showed that almost half of the population supports the idea of eliminating the TFWP. At the same time, a significant part of citizens did not determine their position, which indicates the absence of social consensus.
Do you support the idea of abolishing the TFWP? | Percentage of respondents
Yes, I support – 44%
No, I am opposed – 30%
Undecided – 20%
Age Differences
Younger Canadians turned out to be the biggest supporters of abolishing the program.
18–29 years – 48% support the idea;
30–44 years – 50%;
among those over 60 years – only 37%.
Young people explain such a position by concerns regarding the level of wages, competition in the labor market, and cost of living. For the older generation, stability and predictability of the economic situation are more important.
Regional Features
The study also revealed significant differences between provinces:
Alberta – 54% are in favor of abolition;
Saskatchewan and Manitoba – 49%;
Ontario – 48%;
Quebec – only 34%, which is the lowest figure among all regions.
These data reflect the different economic structures of the provinces: resource-oriented regions more often consider the TFWP as an excessive element, while in Quebec there remains a desire for stability and control.
Political Dimension
The views of Canadians largely depend on their political sympathies:
supporters of the Conservative Party – 61% for abolition;
voters of the Liberal Party split almost equally: 37% – for, 39% – against.
For the Carney government this creates a difficult situation, since even within its own electorate there is no unambiguous position.
Political Reaction and Government Initiatives
The leader of the Conservative Party Pierre Poilievre advocates the complete abolition of the program, arguing that the TFWP deprives Canadians of job opportunities.
In response, Prime Minister Mark Carney on September 10, 2025, stated that the government is preparing changes, but it is not about liquidation, but about a “focused approach.” It is planned to preserve the program only for strategic sectors and regions where there really is a personnel shortage. This should strengthen control over the use of the TFWP and reduce risks of abuse.
Already Introduced Changes (2024–2025)
Direction of changes | Content
General limit – 82,000 new permits for 2025
Restrictions for LMIA – Moratorium on low-wage applications in regions with unemployment 6%+
Raising the wage threshold – In “high-wage stream” – +20% to median regional wage
Reduction of quotas – A smaller percentage of workers in a company may be recruited through the TFWP
Restrictions on open visas for spouses – Allowed only for TEER 0–1 and selected TEER 2–3 professions
According to official data, in January–June 2025 only 33,722 new permits were issued under the TFWP, which is 50% less than in the same period of the previous year. This indicates an already significant reduction in the scale of the program.
Analytical Context
Economic dimension – for youth and the middle generation the TFWP symbolizes a decrease in wages and competition in the labor market.
Regional interests – in resource provinces the dominant opinion is about the need to reduce the inflow of temporary workers, while other regions seek balance.
Political strategy – Conservatives use the issue to mobilize the electorate, Liberals – to demonstrate a controlled approach.
Practical effect – despite the absence of a decision on complete abolition, the number of permits has sharply decreased, which in fact already turns the program into a more limited instrument.
Conclusions
Today the Temporary Foreign Worker Program is one of the most debated elements of Canadian immigration policy. The division in society shows that the issue goes beyond economics and concerns ideas of social justice and the future of Canada.
For the Carney government, an important task will be to find a balance between the needs of business and the demand of the population to protect their own economic interests. For the Conservative Party the TFWP is becoming an instrument of political struggle.
In the coming months the discussion regarding the TFWP will only intensify, since it touches upon several fundamental issues at once: the availability of jobs for Canadians, regional imbalances, the strategy of economic development, and the role of immigration in state-building.
