Conservative MP Seeks End to Temporary Foreign Worker Program Through Petition
OTTAWA — Conservative Member of Parliament Jamil Jivani has initiated a petition aiming to abolish the temporary foreign worker program.
The petition asserts that the temporary foreign worker program significantly contributes to an unmanageable level of immigration and alleges that this initiative is depriving Canadians of job opportunities while also driving down wages.
In a social media clip regarding the petition, Jivani connects immigration to physician scarcity, overcrowded medical facilities, the housing crunch, and tough employment conditions.
“Even among individuals with varying political perspectives, there seems to be a fairly straightforward agreement that current immigration levels are simply unsustainable,” noted Jivani.
If someone visits a hospital, they’ll notice there aren’t sufficient beds available. If anyone searches for a family physician, they won’t find one easily. When people try to purchase a home, they’ll realize there’s a shortage of them. Similarly, when looking for employment, suitable jobs may also be scarce.
The Member of Provincial Parliament from Ontario stated that they have arrived at a stage in Parliament where having “a rational discussion” on the topic has become impossible.
Jivani stated that his petition doesn’t cover temporary workers in agriculture. He proposed that seasonal agricultural employees should have their own distinct program.
The Member of Parliament for Ontario stated that one of the reasons behind his petition is the issue of youth unemployment.
In April, the jobless rate among individuals aged 15 to 24 climbed to 14 percent, as reported in Statistics Canada’s May employment survey.
The previous year, the government unveiled strategies aimed at decreasing the intake of temporary foreign workers entering Canada. These measures involve halting application processing in regions where urban centers have an unemployment rate exceeding six percent.
According to its immigration levels plan, the government intends to allow 82,000 workers per year into the country through the temporary foreign worker program between 2025 and 2027.
In an email statement, Employment Minister Patty Hajdu criticized Jivani for not being appointed as one of the Conservative caucus critics in the House of Commons.
“I understand that MP Jivani was not part of Andrew Scheer’s shadow cabinet,” she noted, referencing the Conservative MP who heads the opposition in Parliament, “but perhaps he should suggest that his party restart updating him with briefings. If this were happening, he would be aware that over just the past year, we have significantly reduced the Temporary Foreign Worker (TFW) program to align better with our labor market demands.”
Hajdu also mentioned that the government is seeking input from labor and industry organizations regarding potential modifications to the program in the future. He emphasized that this does not in any way replace Canadian talent.
The minister stated that the initiative is “essential” for both the farming community and the tourist sector.
It seems Jivani is operating independently with his petition, as he doesn’t occupy one of the roles for the Conservative critics.
Michelle Rempel Garner and Garnett Genuis, who serve as the immigration critic and employment critic for Alberta MPs, respectively, hold these positions.
The Conservative Party did not provide an immediate response to the request for commentary.
The report from The Canadian Press was initially released on May 22, 2025.
David Baxter, from The Canadian Press