More Temporary Foreign Workers?
Tim Hortons wants more temporary foreign workers
Canada Today – Top News Story
A CBC News investigation revealed that Tim Hortons and its parent company, Restaurant Brands International (RBI), have been pressuring the federal government for over 18 months to raise the cap on TFWs from the current 10% to 30% for franchisees. This push included letters to Immigration Minister Marc Miller (dated May 2024) and multiple meetings with MPs in October 2025. The company cited post-pandemic labour shortages in the food service sector, where around 70,000 restaurant jobs remain unfilled nationwide. They also requested faster visa renewals and a “Nexus-type” streamlined approval process for extensions.
The federal government temporarily allowed a 30% cap during COVID-19 but reduced it to 10% in 2024 amid public backlash against immigration levels. Tim Hortons’ communications director, Michael Oliveira, stated the chain seeks “flexibility in hiring TFWs” to address shortages.
The story has sparked widespread outrage on X (formerly Twitter), with calls to boycott Tim Hortons.
No official government response today, but the story highlights tensions in Canada’s immigration and labour policies.
