Particle.news
Download on the App Store
7 ARTICLES
·
3d ago

Eby Intensifies Critique of Temporary Foreign Worker Program as B.C. Approvals Fall Faster Than Rest of Canada

He points to restaurant manager applications to argue the system is being misused.

B.C. Premier David Eby listens to a question during a news conference at Clayton Heights Secondary School, in Surrey, B.C., on Thursday, September 4, 2025. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck
Image
Premier David Eby speaks to reporters from his office following the throne speech at the legislature in Victoria, Tuesday, Feb. 18, 2025.

Overview

  • Speaking to the Burnaby Board of Trade on Tuesday, the B.C. premier named a Vancouver Starbucks outlet in a Sheraton hotel and a Richmond Boston Pizza as examples of employers seeking managers through the program.
  • Starbucks Canada said the cited café is owned by Sheraton, and the Richmond Boston Pizza location did not respond to a request for comment.
  • Federal figures show about 11,000 positions were approved in B.C. in the first quarter of 2025, a year-over-year drop of roughly 37 percent compared with a 20.5 percent decline elsewhere after last September’s tightening.
  • Employers must obtain a positive labour market impact assessment, and more than 51,000 positions were approved nationally in the first quarter of 2025.
  • Eby’s push follows recent calls from Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre to shut the program and drew criticism from former NDP cabinet minister Katrina Chen, who said she was furious about his remarks.