A recent survey conducted by Nanos Research has revealed that over 80% of Canadians believe that temporary foreign workers (TFWs) are important to the country’s economy. This survey was conducted online and over the phone between December 27 and 29 and the results were released on January 9, 2023.
The release of this poll comes at a time where another survey from last September revealed growing opposition to increased immigration. The results showed that over half of Canadians expressed a desire for Canada to welcome fewer immigrants than the figure targeted by the federal government. Additionally, the same poll revealed that 55% of Canadians want Canada to accept fewer international students than the 900,000 expected by the government.
Despite this growing sentiment against increased immigration, Canadians are more supportive of migrants coming to do specific jobs. According to the survey, 57% of Canadians are supportive of welcoming more “temporary foreign workers for jobs,” leading to increased temporary foreign resident population growth in Canada, particularly in work and study permits.
Despite this support, there is an acknowledgment by the government that there is a correlation between the influx of international students and temporary workers and the housing shortage in Canada. Immigration Minister Marc Miller plans to “rein in” the number of temporary foreign workers coming to Canada. Miller suggested that reforms may be coming to both Canada’s Post-Graduate Work Permit system for international students as well as the temporary foreign workers program.
This desire to control the volume of temporary residents is in response to the increase in the number of international students and temporary workers, creating the need for reforms in Canada’s immigration programs.
Still have some travel questions? Ask in our Travel WhatsApp Group.
