The food and accommodation sector is the largest employer of immigrants and newcomers to Canada. Half of all Canadian restaurants are run by entrepreneurs who came here as immigrants, providing economic, social, and cultural benefits to communities across the country.
Restaurants have a strong history of employing newcomers to Canada, playing a significant role in their settlement success. In fact, half of all Canadian restaurants are run by people who came here as immigrants. The industry understands the importance of immigration and the need to support our workers.
Foreign labour is indispensable to the resilience of Canada’s restaurant industry.
Job vacancies in the foodservice are projected to exceed well over 105,000 by 2030, even before accounting for new restrictions on foreign labour. Despite the second-highest wage growth of any industry since 2022, attracting local talent remains difficult in many areas of the country.
Canada’s immigration policy must be data-driven, predictable, and responsive to sector specific needs to remain competitive for global talent while protecting worker rights and ensuring stability for employers.
Updates, toolkits, letters, and resources addressing today’s immigration policies.
ESDC’s focus on aligning the Foreign Worker Program with public expectations and media transparency has, at times, limited its responsiveness to practical labour market realities. There are straightforward, practical measures that can realign this program to better serve both employers and workers.
Menthe et Couscous
Montréal, QC
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