A group of 23 Quebec business owners has launched a $300 million lawsuit against the federal government this month, warning that their businesses could face bankruptcy if Ottawa proceeds with plans to slash the number of temporary foreign workers allowed into Canada.
The businesses, spanning industries from steel manufacturing and winter apparel to aerospace parts production, say temporary foreign workers are critical to keeping their operations viable. With the federal government moving to reduce permit issuance, employers are voicing strong opposition.
“The federal government told these businesses from 2021 to 2024 that they could rely on foreign workers as needed,” said Frédéric Bérard, the lawyer representing the group. “Then, suddenly, they flipped the script—’Forget that, we’re changing the rules.'”
Bérard noted that the business owners are seeking compensation for their losses. “Clearly, the federal government is putting key sectors of our economy at risk,” he added.
The policy shift comes amid mounting pressure from Quebec and conservative organizations, which argue Canada cannot sustain such high levels of temporary immigration.
“We’ve seen a 300,000 increase in temporary immigrants—that’s 300,000 more people,” Quebec Premier François Legault stated back in October. “Naturally, this has a major impact on public services.”
But Quebec’s business community warns that restricting temporary worker numbers will leave critical positions unfilled, hurting productivity and potentially forcing some companies to close.
“These firms are being forced to slow production, turn down contracts, and in some cases, shut down shifts—like night shifts—because they can’t find the workers they need,” explained Véronique Proulx of the Federation of Chambers of Commerce.
The federal government had not responded to requests for comment as of press time.
For the businesses involved, however, the situation is urgent. “They’re losing money every month,” a representative noted. “Without workers to keep operations running, they’re fighting to secure their financial stability.”
