Canada’s Temporary Foreign Worker Program (TFWP) was designed as a short-term fix for labor shortages, allowing employers to hire foreign workers on a temporary basis. However, as Professor Jason Foster explains in our latest episode of the Open Minds Podcast, what was once a temporary solution has now become a permanent labor market strategy—with profound consequences for both migrant workers and Canadian employees.

Over the past two decades, the TFWP has expanded beyond high-skill industries like tech and healthcare, seeping into low-wage sectors such as agriculture, construction, and retail. Today, over 1.3 million temporary workers contribute to the Canadian economy—an increase that raises serious concerns about worker rights, economic dependency, and social cohesion.

While many migrant workers come to Canada with the hope of achieving permanent residency, the reality is far more complicated. Employers hold significant power over temporary foreign workers, as work permits are often tied to specific jobs, limiting mobility and increasing vulnerability to exploitation. Reports of wage theft, unsafe conditions, and abusive work environments are not uncommon, yet many workers remain silent—fearing deportation or job loss.

This episode tackles critical questions:
• Have Canadian businesses become too dependent on temporary foreign workers?
• Are we displacing marginalized Canadian workers, including Indigenous communities and young job seekers?
• Should we shift toward a ‘beneficial immigration’ model that prioritizes long-term integration over temporary labor?

The conversation with Professor Foster highlights the need for a serious policy discussion on whether Canada’s reliance on temporary foreign labor is sustainable—or if it’s time for a fundamental shift in our approach to immigration and employment.