BC Premier Calls for Temporary Foreign Worker Program to Be Abolished or Fundamentally Reformed — Industry Pushback and What Lies Ahead
Date Posted:September 11, 2025
Last Updated:October 3, 2025
British Columbia Premier David Eby has urged the Canadian federal government to either abolish or fundamentally reform the Temporary Foreign Worker Program (TFWP). The move comes amid concerns over high youth unemployment, housing shortages, and the strain on social services in the province. Premier Eby argues that the program may be exacerbating these issues.
Concerns LMIA Work Permit System
Premier Eby highlighted concerns about the sale and misuse of Labour Market Impact Assessments (LMIA) and the lack of transparency in the program, questioning its overall integrity.
Meanwhile, the federal government has already implemented some restrictions on access to the TFWP, limiting eligible industries. However, Premier Eby maintains that these measures are insufficient.
The provincial government emphasizes the need to prioritize job opportunities for young people and domestic workers.
Industry Pushback:LMIA as a last resort
Certain sectors, such as hospitality, agriculture, and food services, argue that while the TFWP may be small in scale, it is essential for addressing labour shortages. Particularly in rural and remote areas, local labour alone cannot meet demand, making the program a critical resource.
Four KeyDiscussion Points Surrounding the LMIA System
- Youth Employment: Statistical evidence is needed to determine whether abolishing the program would truly reduce reliance on foreign workers and increase job opportunities for young people.
- Preventing Abuse: How to curb misuse of LMIA and intermediary abuses.
- Regional Disparities: Urban and rural labour needs differ, and a uniform policy may not work for all industries.
- Impact on Social Services: The relationship between the program and pressure on housing, healthcare, and support services must be clarified.
Shiraishi Visa JP Canada Perspective— Realistic Reform Instead of Complete Abolition
From our perspective, a complete abolition of the TFWP could have a significant impact on certain industries and local economies. Realistic reforms should focus on increasing transparency, protecting workers, and ensuring fairness with domestic labour. For Japanese nationals seeking to work or study in Canada, changes to the TFWP or Co-op Work Permit directly affect their opportunities. Our team provides up-to-date guidance and support to help navigate these visa pathways effectively.
Outlook— Transparency Reforms or Abolition: The Future of the Debate
Canada faces a growing labour shortage, and the role of immigration and temporary worker programs will remain a central policy discussion. Whether the program will be abolished, reformed, or improved through transparency measures remains to be seen. It is increasingly important for job seekers and businesses to stay informed and adapt to evolving policies.
This article is based on reporting from CBC News and summarized by Shiraishi Visa JP Canada.
Reviewed by
Yuki Shiraishi
Born in Japan. After earning a bachelor's degree from the University of Michigan in the USA, worked for six years as a marketing consultant at a major travel agency in New York, involved in the planning and development of travel products. Concurrently attended the MBA program at the City University of New York. Returned to Japan and worked as a manager at the visa centre of the same travel company, primarily handling foreign nationality clients and managing various visa applications from around the world. Immigrated to Canada in 2005 as a skilled worker. Completed the Immigration Consultant Program at the University of British Columbia and obtained the qualification of a Regulated Canadian Immigration Consultant. Specializes in consulting for permanent residence and short-term visas (work, study, temporary stay, etc.) in Canada. Adheres to the motto, 'Every person has the potential to obtain Canadian permanent residence,' and is skilled in proposing the best permanent residence scenarios for individual clients, based on a wide range of visa information. A regular member of the College of Immigration and Citizenship Consultants, as well as the Canadian Association of Professional Immigration Consultants. Active as a supervisor of visa-related information and a seminar lecturer in various media and the Japanese community in Canada. As a president of Kiyukai (Vancouver Japanese Business Association), she supports Japanese entrepreneurs in BC, those who want to start their own business, and all those who work in BC. She is also a president of Visa JP Canada and Jinzai Canada.
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