In a bold move to address Canada’s worsening economic challenges, Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre has called for the complete elimination of the Temporary Foreign Worker Program (TFWP). He accused Prime Minister Mark Carney’s Liberal government of putting corporate interests ahead of Canadian workers.
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Speaking at a press conference in Mississauga, Ontario, Poilievre introduced his “Canada First” plan, which aims to restore economic opportunity, particularly for younger Canadians who are struggling in the current job market.
Poilievre highlighted a series of troubling statistics. He noted that youth unemployment among Canadians aged 15 to 24 reached 14.6 percent in July 2025, the highest rate since 2010 outside of the COVID-19 period. He also pointed out that 1.6 million Canadians are unemployed, including nearly 400,000 who have been without work for over two years, marking the highest level of long-term unemployment since 1998.
“Young people today are a generation screwed,” Poilievre said, blaming a decade of Liberal economic policies for rising housing costs, increased crime, and declining investment in Canada.
He cited massive job losses in Ontario as further proof of poor economic leadership, noting that these losses exceed those experienced during the Great Recession.
Criticism of the TFW Program
A central focus of Poilievre’s critique is the Temporary Foreign Worker Program. He claims the program has saturated the labor market with low-wage workers, making it harder for Canadians, especially youth and working-class individuals, to find decent jobs.
In the first half of 2025, the Liberal government issued 105,000 TFW permits, exceeding its own cap of 82,000. According to Poilievre, nearly 75 percent of these permits were for low-wage positions, putting downward pressure on wages and displacing Canadian workers.
He pointed to companies like Tim Hortons, which he said increased its use of TFWs by over 1,100 percent in just four years. He also shared examples of firms offering jobs at $36 per hour, such as Booster Juice, exclusively to foreign workers.
“The Liberals are shutting our own youth out of jobs and replacing them with low-wage temporary foreign workers,” he said. “These workers are not at fault. They are being used by Liberal-aligned corporate elites.”
A Plan to Prioritize Canadian Workers
Poilievre outlined a plan to end the TFW program entirely, allowing existing permits to expire without renewal. He proposed a separate, streamlined program to address genuine labor shortages in agriculture but stressed that Canadian jobs must go to Canadian workers first.
His broader economic plan includes:
- Reducing taxes to improve take-home pay
- Repealing regulatory barriers such as Bill C-69
- Increasing natural resource production to strengthen domestic energy independence
- Encouraging investment by restoring confidence in Canadian markets
Poilievre also criticized Mark Carney for failing to deliver on major promises. He highlighted a projected 13 percent decline in housing starts, no visible progress on critical infrastructure like pipelines and mines, and what he described as a lack of leadership on national projects.
Trade, Investment, and Carbon Tax Criticism
Poilievre said Carney has mismanaged key trade relationships, especially with the United States and China. He pointed to missed deadlines for securing a U.S. trade agreement and rising tariffs that he believes are damaging Canadian farmers and manufacturers.
He also noted that $62 billion in net investment has left Canada since Carney became Prime Minister, blaming policies such as the industrial carbon tax for making Canadian exports uncompetitive.
“Mark Carney is failing abroad, and Canadians are paying the price at home,” Poilievre said.
Mixed Reactions and Political Response
The proposal to scrap the TFW program has sparked intense debate. Critics argue the program is vital for sectors like agriculture and food service, where labor shortages remain a serious challenge.
Immigration Minister Lena Diab defended the program, stating that TFW arrivals actually declined to 119,000 in 2025, down from 245,000 in 2024. She added that of the 105,000 permits issued this year, only 33,722 were for new arrivals, with many being renewals or extensions.
The government insists it is reforming the program to prevent abuse while supporting essential industries.
Supporters of Poilievre’s plan argue that decisive action is necessary to prioritize Canadian workers, especially during a time of high unemployment and a housing crisis that is making homeownership out of reach for many.
Clarifying Immigration Stance
Poilievre addressed broader concerns about immigration, making it clear that his criticism is directed solely at the TFW program. He praised immigrants who come to Canada to work, contribute, and build their lives.
“The Canadian promise is about opportunity for everyone who contributes,” he said. “But right now, that promise is being broken by a system that favors corporate elites at the expense of ordinary Canadians.”
With growing economic uncertainty, rising joblessness, and declining investment, Poilievre’s “Canada First” message appears to be gaining traction among frustrated voters.
As the federal election approaches, he called on the Liberals to adopt his proposals, offering them as “open source” solutions for the good of all Canadians.
“We want every Canadian to have a chance at a great job, a beautiful life, and a home on a safe street,” Poilievre said in closing. “That is the Canadian dream, and we are fighting to bring it back.”
