Temporary Foreign Workers: Building Canada’s Future, One Job at a Time

Immigration has always been a complex topic in Canada, but it has taken centre stage in recent discussions about labour shortages, economic growth, and workforce sustainability. Within these conversations, temporary foreign workers (TFWs) have become an increasingly popular topic. While opinions about the program vary, one thing is clear: there is a lot of misunderstanding about the program and the realities faced by the workers it supports.

As someone with decades of experience in the financial services/insurance industry, I’ve seen first-hand how vital TFWs are to our economy and yet, the challenges they still grapple. From ensuring our food supply to keeping critical industries running, these workers are far more than a temporary solution—they are a lasting foundation of our economy and workforce. However, from a broker’s perspective, there are significant gaps in how their healthcare and well-being are supported. I want to share insights into the realities of the program, highlight the challenges TFWs encounter, and explore how tailored insurance solutions can make a real difference for both workers and employers.

The Expanding Role of TFWs

Over the past decade, Canada’s reliance on temporary foreign workers has grown exponentially. What started as a program focused primarily on agriculture has expanded to include industries like construction, seafood processing, and landscaping/seasonal hospitality. Labour shortages are driving this growth. With fewer Canadians entering manual or seasonal roles, employers increasingly turn to TFWs to fill these gaps.

In agriculture alone, over 110,000 TFWs arrive annually to work on farms across the country, helping maintain food supply chains and ensuring Canadians have access to fresh produce and other essentials. Similarly, an aging workforce in seafood processing has created a labour gap that TFWs now fill, keeping processing plants operational.

In the construction and seasonal hospitality sectors, a housing and infrastructure backlog stretching over a decade and local resorts and restaurants that must meet the demands of tourists require TFWs to keep projects progressing and bring in revenue during peak seasons.

Seasonal hospitality also depends on TFWs to keep rural businesses running during peak seasons. From resorts to restaurants, these workers allow businesses to meet the demands of tourists and local economies. Though often behind the scenes, these workers are simply essential to Canada’s economy, serving as the backbone of industries that might otherwise struggle to remain operational and stay competitive.

Challenges Faced by TFWs

Despite their essential contributions, TFWs often face challenges that domestic workers do not encounter. One of their most significant barriers is access to healthcare. Many TFWs arrive in Canada on short-term contracts, which means they don’t qualify for provincial health insurance programs like OHIP. So, they often must rely on private insurance plans, which frequently fall short. For example, many private plans exclude pre-existing conditions, leaving workers vulnerable when they need care the most.

Financial pressures also weigh heavily on TFWs. Although they must receive the same wages as Canadian workers, the reality for many of them is that they face a moral obligation of sending a significant portion of their income home to support their families—understandably so. This doesn’t leave them with much more than basic expenses to cover cost of living. Employers also face financial challenges. The costs of bringing TFWs to Canada—including fees for immigration consultants, government approvals, and travel—can accumulate quickly. Negative experiences that inevitably unfold in the workplace are often another burden. While many employers are committed to creating fair and supportive environments, there are still cases where TFWs face overwork, contract violations, or even instances of racism. These situations undoubtedly highlight the need for stronger support systems and safeguards to ensure TFWs are treated equitably.

Tailored Insurance Solutions

During my time here at Campbell & Co., we’ve focused on developing insurance solutions that address the unique challenges TFWs face. From my perspective, a good insurance plan removes barriers and is communicated effectively to ensure peace of mind for the workers and their employers.

One of the key aspects of our plans is immediate coverage. From the moment a worker arrives in Canada, they’re protected. This includes coverage for pre-existing conditions, often excluded from the traditional private plans you’ll see in the market.

A situation I recently came across clearly demonstrates the importance of having the right insurance plan to protect employers and employees. An agricultural employer experienced a medical emergency involving one of their workers during the critical harvest season. With most plans, this situation could have led to months of back-and-forth paperwork and delays, causing significant financial and emotional stress for the worker and lost productivity for the employer and business.

Thankfully, the worker could access care immediately without financial hardship because they had a focused and tailored plan built for situations like this in mind. The employer avoided disruption, and everything was resolved quickly and peacefully. This circumstance exemplifies how the right plan goes beyond just having adequate coverage; it emphasizes a simple and speedy process for sizeable claims to reduce roadblocks and protect the interests of the worker and employer alike.

Policy Shifts and Their Implications

The Temporary Foreign Worker Program is constantly evolving. Recent reforms have introduced new regulations to promote fairness and protect workers and employers. For example, caps on the number of TFWs allowed in specific industries have been implemented to balance domestic labour needs with foreign worker programs. These caps, however, add additional complexity for employers in sectors that are already struggling to fill positions.

Wage transparency has also been emphasized, with new requirements ensuring that TFWs are paid at the same rate as their Canadian counterparts. While this is a positive step for equity, it does place added responsibility on employers to maintain compliance.

One of the most promising discussions revolves around creating pathways to permanent residency for TFWs. Transitioning TFWs into permanent roles could address long-term labour shortages while providing workers more stability. However, these changes require careful planning to ensure they meet the needs of workers, employers and Canadians alike.

The Path Forward

TFWs have become essential to how Canada’s industries operate. Agriculture, construction, and hospitality—these sectors rely on TFWs to keep things running, and demand is only growing. Companies need the right systems in place to support them if they want to continue benefiting from these workers.

This means proper insurance coverage that actually works for TFWs, inclusive workplaces where they feel valued, and a plan to navigate evolving policies. These workers contribute so much to Canada’s economy. They’re why our food supply is steady, our homes are built, and seasonal businesses can operate. Their work is everywhere, and it deserves better recognition.

As a Temporary Foreign Worker Insurance Plan leader, I’m committed to helping employers support TFWs effectively. At Campbell & Co., we don’t offer cookie-cutter solutions—our insurance plans are tailored to cover what matters most, like pre-existing conditions. Our approach protects workers while giving businesses the confidence that they’re compliant and set up for success.

As many fundamental industries—and thus, our country—continue to depend on TFWs, the right coverage and support systems are necessities. Let’s make the system work for everyone.

About the Author

Andrew Hart is a Sales Manager for Temporary Foreign Worker Insurance Plans. With decades of experience in the insurance/financial services industry, Andrew is passionate about creating solutions supporting workers and employers. Raised on Canada’s East Coast, Andrew brings a grounded, community-focused perspective to his work, helping to build a stronger, more inclusive workforce for the future.