Summary

• On March 13, 2026, the federal government announced proposed time-limited policy changes to the Temporary Foreign Worker Program to help address immediate labour shortages in rural communities 
• B.C. will opt in to the proposed variance allowing rural employers to retain existing low-wage temporary foreign workers beyond the current 10% cap
• B.C. does not support a broader expansion of the Temporary Foreign Worker Program, and therefore, will not opt in to the proposed increase of the low-wage stream cap to 15%, which would allow employers to bring in larger numbers of new temporary foreign workers
• Seasonal, short-term and primary agriculture positions will stay exempt from caps

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The Province is addressing immediate labour needs by supporting rural employers to keep temporary foreign workers, providing short-term stability as they explore domestic recruitment, training and more permanent workforce solutions.

“The Temporary Foreign Worker Program policy changes are intended as a short-term response to immediate labour pressures,” said Jessie Sunner, Minister of Post-Secondary Education and Future Skills. “B.C. is calling on the federal immigration minister to focus on long-term workforce solutions, not stopgaps, that reflect provincial needs and help communities, especially in rural and remote areas, recruit and retain skilled workers for the long term.”

Focusing on building a skilled workforce long term

Some rural employers are facing immediate recruitment challenges. By opting into the first policy only, the Province is supporting rural employers outside of the census metropolitan areas to retain their existing workers for an additional year, if all other requirements of the Temporary Foreign Worker Program are met. 

B.C. will not opt in to the second policy, which is the increase of the low-wage cap to 15%. This would allow employers to bring in larger numbers of new temporary foreign workers.

The Province’s priority is to connect local workers with available job opportunities, including young people, alongside continued investment in employment and skills training programs.

B.C. will continue to work with the federal government on workforce development focused on long-term solutions that:

• reduce youth unemployment
• strengthen skills development
• support employers in transitioning away from ongoing reliance on temporary labour

Supporting employment opportunities for people living in B.C. remains a government priority and aligns with provincial efforts to build a strong, skilled workforce and connect people to good jobs.

Quote:

Randene Neill, MLA for Powell River-Sunshine Coast –

“While we are advocating for more permanent solutions that benefit workers, employers and communities in the long term, opting in to this section of the federal policy will help provide immediate help and short-term stability in rural areas like the Sunshine Coast and communities across the province.”

Quick Facts:

• The federal department of Employment and Social Development Canada estimates approximately 585 employers in British Columbia located outside census metropolitan areas exceed the 10% cap on low-wage temporary foreign workers.
• Census metropolitan areas in B.C. include Vancouver (Metro Vancouver Regional District), Abbotsford-Mission, Chilliwack, Victoria (Capital Regional District), Nanaimo, Kelowna and Kamloops.

Learn More:

• Visit the federal webpage for regular updates about the Temporary Foreign Worker Program:
  https://www.canada.ca/en/employment-social-development/services/foreign-workers/temporary-measures.html