Have Work Permits Under Canada’s Temporary Foreign Worker Program Surpassed Targets?

Recently, Pierre Poilievre claimed that the federal government has exceeded its “cap” on work permits issued under the Temporary Foreign Worker Program (TFWP) for 2025. But are these claims accurate? Let’s break down the facts.

Poilievre’s Claim vs. Government Data

The Conservative Party stated that 105,000 new TFWP permits were issued in the first half of 2025, compared to a supposed cap of 82,000 permits.

However, the 82,000 figure is not a cap, but rather a target set out in Canada’s Immigration Levels Plan. This target only applies to new workers arriving in Canada under the TFWP—not to renewals or extensions.

According to IRCC data, only 33,722 permits were issued to new foreign workers between January and June 2025. This is about 41% of the 82,000 target, not an overage.

Decline in New Worker Arrivals in 2025

Instead of an increase, Canada has seen a 50% decline in new foreign worker arrivals this year.

• From Jan–June 2025, Canada welcomed 125,903 fewer workers compared to the same period in 2024.
• This decline follows government measures introduced in 2024 aimed at reducing temporary resident levels.

The government’s goal is to bring down the share of temporary residents to 5% of Canada’s population by 2026.

Key Changes to the TFWP Since 2024

To meet its reduction targets, the federal government implemented stricter rules for employers under the Temporary Foreign Worker Program, including:

• Reducing LMIA validity from 12 months to six months.
• Lowering employer workforce caps: from 30% to 20% overall, and from 20% to 10% in the low-wage stream.
• Limiting employment duration in the low-wage stream to one year.
• Pausing low-wage LMIA applications in regions with 6%+ unemployment.
• Raising the wage threshold for high-wage stream hires to 20% above the median wage.
• Eliminating accountant or lawyer attestations for proving business legitimacy—requiring direct government assessment.
  
  

What Is the Temporary Foreign Worker Program (TFWP)?

The TFWP was created in 1973 to help Canadian employers fill jobs when no Canadian workers are available. It is jointly managed by:

• Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC)
• Employment and Social Development Canada (ESDC)

Employers must first obtain a Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA) to prove that hiring a foreign worker will not negatively affect Canadian workers.

Main Streams of the TFWP:

• Global Talent Stream – for in-demand, highly skilled jobs.
• Permanent Residence Stream – to support PR applicants.
• High-Wage Stream – for jobs at or above median wage.
• Low-Wage Stream – for jobs below median wage (currently paused in some regions).
• Agriculture & Caregiver Streams – for farming and caregiving roles.
• Academic Stream – for university-level teaching and research.
  
  

What’s Next for the TFWP?

Prime Minister Mark Carney has said the government is still reviewing the program’s effectiveness and may consider reforms.

However, he also emphasized that while TFWs play a role in Canada’s labour market, they are not the main driver of immigration levels. Many businesses, especially in industries like construction, healthcare, and agriculture, continue to rely heavily on the TFWP.

Key Takeaway

Despite claims of “surpassing the cap,” Canada has not exceeded its TFWP targets. In fact, new arrivals have declined sharply in 2025 due to stricter program rules. The government remains focused on balancing labour market needs with its broader goal of reducing temporary resident levels.