Key Takeaways
- Tim Hortons has been lobbying the Canadian government to increase the cap on temporary foreign workers (TFWs) from 10% to 30% for over 18 months.
- The company has met with multiple MPs and federal staffers, including the former immigration minister, to discuss the issue.
- Tim Hortons is seeking "flexibility in hiring TFWs," particularly in rural and smaller communities where labor shortages are more severe.
- The company is also requesting faster visa renewals and clearer pathways to permanent residency for TFWs.
- The Opposition has been calling for an end to the TFW program, citing concerns about cheap labor flooding the market.
Introduction to the Issue
The Canadian coffee giant Tim Hortons has been actively lobbying the federal government to lift the cap on temporary foreign workers (TFWs) that some of its franchisees can hire. This effort has been ongoing for over 18 months, with the company meeting with multiple MPs and federal staffers to discuss the issue. The request is rooted in the significant labor shortages faced by the food service industry, particularly in rural and smaller communities. According to a letter addressed to Immigration Minister Marc Miller in May 2024, the company is seeking to raise the cap on TFWs from 20% to 30%, a level that was temporarily allowed during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic in 2021.
Lobbying Efforts
Tim Hortons’ lobbying efforts have been extensive, with the company meeting with MPs from different political parties, including the governing Liberals, as well as staff from several federal departments. The company’s representatives have also met with the parliamentary secretaries for global affairs, employment and social development, and public safety. In October 2025, the company met with former immigration minister Marc Miller, who now holds the culture and official languages portfolio. Miller stated that the company wanted a pledge to continue the visas of those employed, but noted that it’s part of a larger discussion on how to manage the inflow and outflow of foreign workers.
Request for Flexibility
According to Tim Hortons’ communications director, Michael Oliveira, the company is seeking "flexibility in hiring TFWs," particularly in rural and smaller communities where labor shortages are more severe. Oliveira stated that TFWs who are already working and contributing to these communities should have the chance to stay in Canada longer, either through extended work permits or clearer pathways to permanent residency. The company is also partnering with industry group Restaurants Canada to address the 70,000 vacant jobs across the industry, including investing in training and development programs to help fill those roles.
Opposition to the TFW Program
The Opposition has been calling for an end to the TFW program, citing concerns about cheap labor flooding the market. The Conservative MPs did not respond to requests for comment, but the Bloc Québécois spokesperson, Julien-Coulombe-Bonnafous, stated that the party’s position is that exceptions to the 10% cap should only be made for sectors in Quebec that are hurting from the smaller limit, such as forestry or softwood lumber. The Bloc Québécois MP, Alexis Brunelle-Duceppe, met with Tim Hortons franchisees from his riding in July, who expressed a wish to return to the 20% cap of previous years.
Government Response
In response to questions about the TFW program, Employment and Social Development Canada stated that program policies are continuously reviewed and adjusted regularly in response to shifting economic and labor market realities. The government remains committed to working with partners and stakeholders to continuously find ways to strengthen the TFW program’s integrity and remain responsive to labor market needs. However, the Immigration Department deferred specifics about visas, stating that it can’t speculate about future policy decisions.
Conclusion
In conclusion, Tim Hortons’ lobbying efforts to increase the cap on TFWs reflect the significant labor shortages faced by the food service industry, particularly in rural and smaller communities. While the company is seeking flexibility in hiring TFWs and faster visa renewals, the Opposition has been calling for an end to the TFW program, citing concerns about cheap labor flooding the market. The government’s response has been to continuously review and adjust program policies in response to shifting economic and labor market realities. As the debate continues, it remains to be seen whether the government will increase the cap on TFWs or implement other measures to address the labor shortages faced by the industry.
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