On This Page You Will Find:
- Why Quebec hotels are facing staff shortages in 2025
- How new temporary worker rules are affecting employers
- What the hotel industry is demanding from the government
- Personal stories of workers impacted by policy changes
- Government response and calls for automation
Quebec Hotels Sound Alarm Over Summer Staffing Crisis
Quebec’s hotel industry is warning of serious staff shortages ahead of what’s expected to be a busy tourism season. Despite a positive outlook for local travel, recent federal and provincial changes to the Temporary Foreign Worker Program (TFWP) are making it difficult for hotels to retain or hire enough staff.
Under new rules introduced last September, employers can now hire only 10 per cent of their workforce through the low-wage stream of the TFWP, with most contracts limited to one year. These restrictions have forced many hotels to let go of reliable employees just as demand increases.
According to a report by CBC News, hotel managers say the combination of hiring caps and long permit processing delays has created an unsustainable situation.
Hotel Association Calls New Policy “Human Nonsense”
Véronyque Tremblay, CEO of the Association hôtellerie du Québec (AHQ), says hotel operators are making painful goodbyes to employees they need now more than ever.
“They’re heartbreaking goodbyes that are truly difficult, right when we need them,” she said. “It’s economic nonsense, it’s operational nonsense, but it’s also human nonsense.”
A recent AHQ survey revealed that 91 per cent of members are struggling to fill key positions this summer, with most employers short by three to ten workers.
Workers Caught in Limbo
Élodie Gillon and her husband, who moved from France in 2024 under the temporary foreign worker program, now fear they may have to uproot their lives again.
“It’s hard for us to picture ourselves elsewhere than Quebec because we’ve really settled ourselves,” said Gillon, who works at Spa Eastman in Montérégie.
Many workers like Gillon have built new lives in Quebec, but face uncertainty due to shorter permit durations and limited renewal options.
Luxury Hotels Not Immune
Andrew Torriani, CEO of the Ritz-Carlton in Montreal, said his hotel lost 10 employees since the rules changed, and he still hasn’t found replacements.
“We don’t do this just willy-nilly,” he said, noting it can cost up to $2,000 to renew a work permit. “We hire the best of the best.”
He added that the shortage of local hospitality graduates and the industry’s demanding nature make it even harder to recruit and retain domestic staff.
Government Response: Cut Immigration, Embrace Automation
The Quebec government has said it wants to reduce the number of non-permanent residents in the province, pointing to pressure on public services.
A spokesperson for Immigration Minister Jean-François Roberge’s office said that businesses must turn to “automation and robotization,” and that foreign workers should only be used as a last resort.
The statement also noted that while Quebec imposed additional limits in Montreal and Laval, broader restrictions come from federal authorities.
Despite repeated requests, the federal government did not provide a response before publication.
FAQ
Why are Quebec hotels experiencing staff shortages in 2025?
New restrictions on the Temporary Foreign Worker Program limit how many low-wage foreign workers employers can hire. Many hotels cannot find enough local workers to replace those they’ve had to let go.
What types of jobs are affected by these new rules?
The most impacted positions are janitorial staff, kitchen workers, and overnight shift roles — jobs that are typically hard to fill with local applicants.
Can hotels hire Canadians instead of foreign workers?
Yes, and many try to. But AHQ says there aren’t enough trained hospitality workers in Quebec, even after increasing wages. Some roles remain unattractive to domestic candidates.
How are temporary foreign workers affected personally?
Many have relocated their entire families to Quebec and now face uncertainty. Some fear being forced to leave even though they’ve built new lives and careers in the province.
What does the Quebec government suggest as a solution?
Quebec officials are encouraging businesses to use automation and reduce reliance on foreign labour. However, the hospitality sector argues that technology cannot replace all human roles, especially in customer service.
