Tim Hortons and the Foreign Worker Controversy: What You Need to Know

What Tim Hortons Did

Tim Hortons spent about 18 months lobbying federal MPs to let them hire more Temporary Foreign Workers (TFWs).This happened after the federal government tightened the rules in 2024 and reduced how many low-wage foreign workers companies could use.

What They Wanted

The company argued that many of their restaurants were short-staffed and needed more workers, especially in smaller towns. Their goal was to loosen the hiring limits so they could bring in more foreign workers and keep stores fully staffed.

Why People Are Concerned

Youth unemployment in Canada is still high. Nationally, it sits above 12%, and in some provinces, unemployment for people aged 18–25 is over 20%.Many people feel companies should improve wages and working conditions to attract Canadians before relying on more foreign labour.

Past Complaints Make This Worse

Some Tim Hortons franchises have already faced complaints from foreign workers about poor treatment, underpayment, and unfair working conditions. These issues make the company’s push for more foreign workers even more controversial.

The Bigger Question

This situation raises a key issue: Is Canada dealing with a true labour shortage, or are companies choosing cheaper labour instead of investing in Canadian workers?

Who Is Really Responsible

Foreign workers are not to blame. Everyone needs a job to survive. The responsibility falls on governments and corporations, not the workers who come here for a better life.

If Canadians want change, they need to direct pressure at the people in charge—policymakers and corporate leaders.