Canadian coffee chain Tim Hortons has been urging the federal government to increase the limit on temporary foreign workers that its franchisees can hire for over a year, as per CBC News reports. The requests were made through written correspondence and lobbying meetings with officials and MPs, amidst a decline in public support for immigration in Canada and reductions in various newcomer pathways by Ottawa.
A letter addressed to Immigration Minister Marc Miller in May 2024 highlighted the challenges faced by the food service industry due to the pandemic and ongoing labor shortages. The correspondence, prompted by an access to information request, sought an increase in the cap on temporary foreign workers (TFWs) from 20% to 30%, with Ottawa having temporarily allowed a higher quota during the peak of the COVID-19 crisis in 2021.
Despite these efforts, the federal government later reduced the cap on TFWs to 10% in 2024. Tim Hortons continued its advocacy for more temporary foreign workers through multiple lobbying meetings with MPs and federal officials, aiming for greater flexibility in hiring TFWs, especially in rural and smaller communities facing labor shortages.
In a statement, Tim Hortons’ communications director emphasized the importance of extending work permits or providing clearer pathways to permanent residency for TFWs already contributing in communities with vacant job positions. The company also collaborated with Restaurants Canada and the broader industry to address the industry’s 70,000 job vacancies through training and development programs.
Regarding the lobbying efforts, Conservative and Bloc Québécois MPs were among those engaged by Tim Hortons representatives to discuss the TFW program. While the Conservatives called for abolishing the program to prioritize opportunities for Canadian youth, the Bloc Québécois advocated for pausing the TFW program in Quebec for consultation with regional industries and seeking open permits for TFWs.
Requests for a permanent foreign worker program were also mentioned in a letter, although Tim Hortons clarified that they were no longer pursuing such a program. The company faced criticism from some MPs for its lobbying, with differing opinions on the impact of TFWs on the Canadian job market and the need for reforms in the program to align with labor market demands.
Employment and Social Development Canada emphasized ongoing reviews and adjustments to TFW program policies to respond to economic shifts, while the Immigration Department refrained from speculating on future policy decisions related to visas. The discussions around TFWs and the workforce continue to spark debate among political parties, industry stakeholders, and advocacy groups in Canada.