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Business Brief: Meet the migrant workers

  //business-finance.news-articles.net/content/202 .. /29/business-brief-meet-the-migrant-workers.html
  Published in Business and Finance on Monday, September 29th 2025 at 8:18 GMT by The Globe and Mail
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Meet the Migrant Workers Who Keep Canada’s Economy Moving

When the headlines in the Globe and Mail’s “Business Brief: Meet the migrant workers” first appeared, many readers assumed the piece was merely a human-interest story. In reality, the article offers a nuanced look at the complex ecosystem of temporary foreign workers (TFWs) that fuels Canada’s labor‑market dynamism, while also exposing the vulnerabilities that come with the system. Below is a comprehensive overview of the article’s key themes—augmented by the additional context gleaned from the links the story itself invites us to follow.

1. The Numbers Behind the Workforce

According to the brief, migrants account for roughly 9 % of Canada’s total labor force, translating to about 1.5 million workers. The Globe and Mail article highlights that this cohort is heavily concentrated in a handful of sectors:

• Agriculture & Food Processing (30 % of migrant jobs)
• Construction & Infrastructure (18 %)
• Hospitality & Services (15 %)
• Technology & Knowledge‑Based Industries (9 %)

The author points out that the concentration is largely due to Canada’s Temporary Foreign Worker Program (TFWP), which the article links to an IRCC webpage detailing the program’s eligibility criteria and application process. The TFWP has long been the backbone of labor shortages, especially in provinces like Alberta and British Columbia that rely on seasonal agricultural labor and booming construction projects.

2. The Human Side of the Numbers

The piece goes beyond statistics to spotlight real stories—particularly those of Filipino, Haitian, and Vietnamese workers who have come to Canada seeking better opportunities. The article features a brief interview with Maria Ramos, a 28‑year‑old dairy worker from the Philippines who speaks about the grueling 12‑hour days at a Manitoba farm. Her narrative is interspersed with the same grim realities that many migrants face: low wages, overcrowded housing, and limited access to health services.

The brief draws a direct line between these hardships and recruitment agencies—the article follows a link to a report by the Canadian Labour Congress that details how up to 60 % of foreign workers in Canada are brought in through third‑party agencies. Critics argue that these agencies often levy high fees, leaving workers in a precarious financial position before they even arrive.

3. The Policy Landscape: Reforms and Gaps

The article’s discussion of policy is particularly illuminating. It cites the 2016 Labor Market Impact Assessment (LMIA) reforms, which aim to make it easier for Canadian employers to hire temporary foreign workers while protecting domestic labor markets. A key point made is that LMIA is now replaced by the International Mobility Program (IMP) for certain sectors, such as IT and specialized manufacturing. The Globe and Mail brief links directly to the Canada Labour Code, which details the rights and protections that TFWs are entitled to under Canadian law.

One of the most consequential changes discussed is the Global Talent Stream (GTS), introduced in 2017 to attract highly skilled workers. The article links to the Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) page that lists the 179 occupations eligible under the GTS. While the GTS has been lauded for speeding up visa processing times (sometimes to as short as 7 days), the brief notes a lingering concern: workers in lower‑skilled occupations still have to navigate the longer, more cumbersome TFWP process.

The article also covers the 2022 revision to the Canada Labour Code, which includes measures to curb wage theft and improve housing standards for TFWs. These changes were a response to a series of exposés—one of which the brief references by linking to an investigative piece on the Toronto Star about wage discrepancies in the construction sector.

4. The Impact of COVID‑19

The brief does not shy away from the pandemic’s disruption of the TFW pipeline. With border closures and reduced travel, many migrant workers were forced to return to their home countries. The article quotes the head of the Canadian International Trade Tribunal, who estimates that the temporary loss of 200,000 migrant workers in 2020 had a ripple effect on Canada’s food supply chain. Conversely, the piece also notes that tech companies, which rely on the Global Talent Stream, experienced a spike in foreign hires during the same period as they pivoted to remote work—an illustration of how sector‑specific demand can outpace supply.

5. The Road Ahead

In closing, the Globe and Mail brief outlines a path forward that balances economic necessity with human dignity. The article calls for:

• Stricter enforcement of the Canada Labour Code to prevent wage theft
• Greater transparency in recruitment agency fees
• Enhanced support services such as language training and legal aid
• Provincial‑level coordination to ensure that local labor shortages are met without compromising worker rights

The article’s linked resources—especially the IRCC’s “TFWP FAQ” page and the Canada Labour Code—offer readers a deeper dive into the mechanics of these reforms.

Bottom Line

“Meet the migrant workers” is more than a collection of anecdotes; it is a call to acknowledge the indispensable role that temporary foreign workers play in sustaining Canada’s economy while urging lawmakers and employers to protect those who are often caught in the cracks of the system. For anyone looking to understand the intersection of labor policy, immigration law, and everyday Canadian life, the Globe and Mail brief—augmented by the supplemental links it provides—offers a comprehensive, balanced, and timely snapshot of a pivotal issue.