Tim Hortons Pushed MPs to Hire More Foreign Workers: Inside the Lobbying Effort

For millions of Canadians, Tim Hortons is more than a coffee shop; it’s a daily ritual and a cultural icon. But behind the familiar red and brown signage, a pressing business reality is brewing: a severe and persistent labour shortage. Newly released documents reveal the extent to which the parent company of this national chain, Restaurant Brands International (RBI), has been actively lobbying the federal government to expand access to the Temporary Foreign Worker (TFW) Program. This push highlights a deep and growing tension in the Canadian economy between business needs and domestic workforce development.

The Lobbying Campaign: A Direct Appeal to Parliament

According to federal lobbying records obtained by CBC News, RBI executives have held at least 17 meetings with MPs, senators, and senior government officials since the end of 2022. The central topic? The critical need for more temporary foreign workers to staff their restaurants, primarily Tim Hortons locations.

The lobbying intensified as the government prepared to review the cap on low-wage TFWs in specific sectors. RBI’s message was clear and urgent: the current limits are unsustainable and threaten the operation of a beloved Canadian brand. They argued that despite raising wages and improving benefits, many restaurants, particularly in smaller and rural communities, cannot find enough local employees to remain fully operational.

Key Arguments from the Tim Hortons Parent Company

The company’s lobbying points centered on several core issues:

The Other Side of the Coin: Criticisms and Concerns

While RBI makes a case based on economic necessity, the push for more TFWs is met with significant criticism from labour advocates, unions, and some economists.

Depressing Wages and Disincentivizing Investment

The primary concern is that an increased reliance on temporary foreign workers suppresses the natural growth of wages. The fundamental law of supply and demand suggests that a genuine shortage should lead to higher pay and better conditions to attract workers. Critics argue that the TFW program allows businesses to bypass this market pressure. Why invest in automation, better scheduling, or significant wage increases if a temporary workforce is readily available?

The “Permanent Temporary” Cycle

There is also a fear of creating a two-tier workforce and perpetuating a cycle of dependency. The “temporary” in TFW can become misleading, with workers often returning year after year on repeated permits, yet never gaining a pathway to permanent residency. This can leave workers vulnerable and does little to address the underlying, systemic labour issues in the sector.

Is There Really a Labour Shortage?

Skeptics question the premise of the shortage itself. They point to often difficult working conditions, unpredictable part-time hours, and the high-stress, low-pay model of fast-food work as the root causes of high turnover and recruitment challenges. The solution, they argue, isn’t to look overseas but to make these jobs more attractive and sustainable for Canadians.

Government Policy: Walking a Tightrope

The federal government finds itself in a difficult position. It must balance the legitimate operational concerns of a major employer—one that employs hundreds of thousands—with its duty to protect the domestic labour market and ensure fair wages.

The current TFW program rules for low-wage positions include:

The lobbying from RBI and other industry groups is squarely aimed at easing that 20% cap. The government’s upcoming decisions will signal its priority: accommodating immediate business needs or holding firm to spur domestic workforce solutions.

The Bigger Picture: Rethinking Work in the Service Industry

The debate over Tim Hortons and TFWs is a microcosm of a much larger national conversation. It forces us to ask fundamental questions about the future of work in Canada’s service sector.

Can the traditional fast-food business model survive in a modern economy without a steady supply of temporary foreign labour? The pandemic accelerated trends of worker empowerment and a reevaluation of low-wage jobs. Canadians are increasingly seeking employment with better pay, stability, and respect.

Potential long-term solutions extend beyond immigration policy:

Conclusion: A National Symbol at a Crossroads

The image of Tim Hortons lobbying on Parliament Hill is a powerful symbol of the economic crossroads at which Canada stands. The company’s plea is a stark indicator of the operational crises facing many businesses. However, yielding to pressure for a significantly expanded TFW program risks stalling the necessary evolution of the service sector.

The path forward requires a nuanced approach. There may be a justified, limited role for temporary foreign workers in specific regions with demonstrable needs. But this must be coupled with relentless pressure and support for industries to innovate and improve job quality. The goal cannot simply be to keep the coffee brewing at all costs, but to ensure the people serving it are valued, protected, and fairly compensated—whether they come from across town or across the ocean.

The outcome of this lobbying effort will not just affect Tim Hortons’ bottom line; it will shape the future of work for an entire sector of the Canadian economy.