Canadians Increasingly Critical of Temporary Foreign Worker Program, Angus Reid Poll Finds

On This Page You Will Find

• Overview of public opinion on the TFWP
• Views on economic and housing impacts
• Perceptions of fairness and exploitation
• Regional and political differences
• Public support for path to citizenship

Growing Criticism of Canada’s TFWP

A new public opinion survey from the Angus Reid Institute reveals a marked decline in Canadian support for the Temporary Foreign Worker Program (TFWP). The program, which has operated for over five decades to help employers address labour shortages, is now viewed by a growing majority as a contributor to Canada’s housing crisis, youth unemployment, and economic inequality.

According to the poll, more than half of Canadians (52 per cent) say they view the TFWP more negatively than positively. Just 23 per cent hold a positive view. This decline in support spans political and regional lines, signalling a broad erosion of confidence in how the federal government manages the program.

Awareness Is High, But So Is Negativity

While only 19 per cent of respondents say they are highly familiar with the TFWP, most Canadians have at least some awareness of it. Those with greater knowledge of the program are also its harshest critics: 73 per cent of well-informed respondents hold a negative view, compared to 15 per cent who are supportive.

Political alignment also shapes perception. Conservative Party of Canada (CPC) supporters are the most negative, with nearly 7 in 10 expressing disapproval of the program. However, Liberal voters are also lukewarm, with only 32 per cent expressing support, and another 26 per cent remaining neutral.

The findings suggest that neither end of the political spectrum sees the program as working well. Changes made over the past decade, including a 2014 reform that split the program into high-wage and low-wage streams, have not significantly improved public confidence.

Most Canadians Say Too Many Foreign Workers Are Entering Canada

The number of foreign nationals admitted under the TFWP has increased sharply in recent years. Between January and June 2025, more than 105,000 TFW permits were issued, including new and extended permits. Although Immigration Minister Lena Diab claims that new permits fell by 125,000 compared to the same period in 2024, public concern remains high.

Fully 55 per cent of Canadians believe the country is admitting too many temporary foreign workers. A quarter believe the level is appropriate, and just 9 per cent would support expanding the program further. Importantly, the poll did not present respondents with permit data, meaning these views are based on personal perceptions of economic and social impacts.

This belief is most strongly held in the Prairie provinces. In Alberta, for example, 71 per cent of respondents say too many TFWs are entering the country. In Saskatchewan, a similar pattern emerges. Quebec stands out as less critical, with only 37 per cent saying the numbers are too high – possibly reflecting the province’s greater control over the program and its reliance on foreign workers in agriculture.

Canadians Believe the TFWP Harms Housing and Youth Employment

Public concern extends beyond the number of foreign workers admitted. Many Canadians believe the program is having damaging side effects across multiple sectors:

• 66 per cent say the program worsens the housing crisis
• 61 per cent say it hurts young Canadian jobseekers
• 54 per cent believe it negatively impacts the broader labour market

These criticisms suggest that many Canadians see the TFWP as exacerbating economic pressures for domestic workers and renters. The findings align with ongoing debate over whether the program depresses wages or crowds out younger Canadians from seasonal and entry-level employment opportunities.

Interestingly, the poll finds that older Canadians (aged 65 and up) are more likely to view the program favourably. This suggests a generational divide in how the program’s impact is understood – with younger Canadians more likely to feel direct economic consequences.

Most Say Temporary Foreign Workers Are Unfairly Blamed

Despite these concerns, most Canadians do not blame the workers themselves for these problems. A strong 58 per cent say TFWs are scapegoated for economic issues they did not create. Just 29 per cent disagree with that sentiment.

Even among those critical of the TFWP, many respondents distinguish between dissatisfaction with the system and sympathy for the workers. This distinction is key to understanding the complex nature of Canadian opinion: people are concerned about exploitation, economic consequences, and government mismanagement – not about the foreign nationals themselves.

Exploitation and Abuse Still a Major Concern

Allegations of abuse under the TFWP continue to plague the system. Between April and October 2024, the federal government found 11 per cent of inspected employers non-compliant and banned 20 employers from the program. A 2023 UN report even went so far as to describe the TFWP as a “contemporary form of slavery”, a claim rejected by Canadian officials but echoed by many advocacy groups.

Half of Canadians (50 per cent) say TFWs are treated unfairly by employers, and 45 per cent say they are exploited by the federal government. Among Canadians most familiar with the program, that number rises to 55 per cent.

These concerns reflect long-standing criticisms of the TFWP’s structure – particularly the employer-specific work permit model, which can create power imbalances and prevent workers from speaking out.

Are Young Canadians Willing to Do These Jobs?

The question of whether TFWs are displacing young Canadian workers is a divisive one. After one of the weakest youth job markets since 2010, critics – including BC Premier David Eby and CPC leader Pierre Poilievre – have blamed the TFWP for limiting employment opportunities.

However, half of Canadians say it’s unlikely that young Canadians would want the kinds of jobs TFWs typically perform, such as agricultural labour, caregiving, and low-wage service jobs. These jobs require a Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA), which proves that no Canadian is willing or available to do the work. Still, many Canadians are unsure whether this system is functioning effectively.

Support for Citizenship Pathway Declines

As criticism of the TFWP grows, support for granting permanent residence or citizenship to temporary workers has declined. In 2024, 36 per cent of Canadians supported a pathway to citizenship for TFWs. In 2025, that number has dropped to 30 per cent.

This shift may reflect a broader national conversation about immigration levels, housing pressures, and Canada’s capacity to integrate more workers permanently. Even though many Canadians sympathise with TFWs, fewer are willing to endorse more permanent immigration pathways through this program.

A Divided, but Shifting Public Mood

The Angus Reid Institute’s latest poll paints a picture of a country increasingly sceptical of the Temporary Foreign Worker Program. Canadians are concerned about housing, youth employment, and fairness. While few hold TFWs themselves responsible, most believe the system is flawed and vulnerable to abuse.

These findings present a challenge for federal policymakers. As immigration remains central to Canada’s economic and demographic strategy, balancing labour market needs with social cohesion and public trust will be crucial. The question now is whether reform efforts can restore confidence – or if public opinion will continue to harden against temporary foreign labour altogether.

FAQ: Canada’s Temporary Foreign Worker Program – Public Opinion