Angus Reid Poll Finds Canadians More Critical of TFW Program

(CANADA) A new Angus Reid poll indicates a sharp shift in public mood toward Canada’s Temporary Foreign Worker program, with 52% of Canadians now viewing the program negatively and 55% saying the country accepts too many Temporary Foreign Worker (TFW) applicants. Released in late September 2025, the survey underscores growing doubts about the program’s impact on jobs, housing, and fairness, even as many respondents say workers themselves are often blamed for problems they did not cause.

The Angus Reid Institute surveyed 1,570 adults online from September 19–22, 2025. Its findings point to mounting pressure on Ottawa to re-examine how the program operates and who benefits from it. Only 23% hold a favourable view of the TFW program, and support for a pathway to citizenship for TFWs fell to 30%, down from 36% in 2024.

Poll highlights and shifts in opinion

Across key measures, skepticism has grown.

• 54% say the program hurts the broader labour market.
• 61% believe it harms the job prospects of young Canadians.
• 66% say the TFW program negatively affects the housing market — a particularly sensitive issue after years of tight supply and rising rents.

The poll also shows a more nuanced picture.

• 58% agree that TFWs are unfairly blamed for wider economic problems, indicating many Canadians distinguish between policy concerns and views of the workers themselves.
• Among respondents familiar with the program:
  • 55% say the government exploits TFWs.
  • 50% believe employers treat them unfairly.

Support for business use of the program remains notable.

• Among employers who use it, 69% say it benefits their operations.
• Nearly half—49%—believe it is good for the workers themselves.

Regionally, skepticism is broad-based, with Alberta residents most likely to say the program accepts too many applicants.

The Angus Reid poll arrives amid heightened debate on how temporary streams shape Canada’s 🇨🇦 labour and housing landscapes. Analysis by VisaVerge.com says higher program use, rising living costs, and concerns about workplace standards have pushed this issue into mainstream public conversation in 2025.

Policy context and stakes for workers and employers

Canada’s TFW program, created over half a century ago, is designed to help employers fill short-term labour gaps when no suitable local workers are available. In principle, it’s a demand-driven tool used when domestic hiring efforts fall short. In practice, however, the program’s scale and on-the-ground realities have drawn long-standing scrutiny from unions, worker advocates, and academics.

A 2024 United Nations expert report described Canada’s TFW program as a “breeding ground for contemporary forms of slavery,” citing:

• employer-specific work permits,
• weak access to unions,
• substandard housing, and
• fear of deportation.

While that language was controversial, it echoes the new poll’s concerns about power imbalances and risks of abuse—especially when a worker’s legal status is tied to a single employer.

Policymakers face a difficult puzzle:

• Employers (particularly in agriculture, food processing, hospitality, and some trades) say the program is essential to keep operations going, especially in remote or seasonal settings.
• Many Canadians worry that overreliance on temporary labour can:
  • depress wages,
  • reduce prospects for young workers, and
  • increase pressure on already-tight housing markets.

The program’s current rules require employers to seek a Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA) to show no suitable local workers are available before hiring through TFW streams. Critics argue enforcement is uneven and that workers may hesitate to report abuses for fear of losing their job and status.

• The poll’s exploitation findings reinforce the need for:
  • stronger workplace inspections,
  • safe reporting channels, and
  • timely remedies when conditions fall short.

Day-to-day realities for TFWs and policy responses

For many TFWs, daily life can be complex and constrained.

• Employer-specific permits often limit job mobility and can trap workers in unsafe or unfair conditions.
• Advocates call for more open work permits and faster pathways to permanent residence for those who build long-term ties in Canada.

However, public support for citizenship pathways has fallen—from 36% in 2024 to 30% in 2025—reflecting caution about converting temporary stays into permanent status amid broader social and economic strains.

The poll’s findings on housing likely will intensify calls for better alignment between labour programs and community planning. If employers rely heavily on temporary labour, local infrastructure must be ready to absorb workers without displacing existing residents.

• Municipal leaders may push for:
  • housing commitments,
  • employer-provided accommodation that meets standards, and
  • coordination between employers and local planners.

Practical steps, resources, and procedural notes

Workers and employers face multiple procedural steps that can be daunting.

• Those applying for a work permit from outside Canada typically complete the IMM 1295 application. The official form and instructions are available here: Application for Work Permit Made Outside Canada (IMM 1295).

• Federal guidance on the TFW program itself is available here: Temporary Foreign Worker Program – Government of Canada.

These resources explain eligibility, employer responsibilities, and worker rights, including complaint channels and inspection powers.

Political implications and feasible reforms

Politically, both the government and opposition are likely to reference the poll as they shape labour and immigration plans. The numbers cut across party lines and regions, suggesting broad public concern.

Practical areas for reform that could protect workers while calming public concern include:

1. Stronger, more frequent workplace inspections.
2. Faster responses to abuse complaints.
3. More open work permits when employer misconduct is proven.
4. Better coordination between federal labour programs and provincial/municipal housing planning.
5. Clearer timelines and consistent rules for employers to reduce uncertainties.

For employers, clearer rules and timelines can reduce compliance risk while keeping essential roles filled. For Canadians who want change without harming people, measures that are tough on abuse but humane in treatment are central.

As the fall session advances, the Angus Reid poll gives lawmakers a blunt message: the Temporary Foreign Worker program needs tighter guardrails and visible results on fairness, or public trust will keep sliding. At the same time, most Canadians don’t blame workers; they want a system that’s tough on abuse and smart about labour needs.

This balance—firm standards with humane treatment—will determine whether public opinion stabilizes or sourness hardens into lasting rejection.