Conservative MP Jamil Jivani arrives on Parliament Hill ahead of a Conservative Party of Canada caucus meeting in Ottawa on Tuesday, May 6, 2025. THE CANADIAN PRESS
Conservative MP Jamil Jivani has ignited a political storm by launching a petition to abolish Canada’s Temporary Foreign Worker (TFW) Program. Arguing the system fuels unsustainable immigration and displaces Canadian workers, Jivani’s stance has reignited debate on labor, immigration, and youth employment in Canada.
A Call for Drastic Change
Jivani, who represents an Ontario riding, shared his concerns in a recent social media video. He claimed the TFW program contributes to doctor shortages, long hospital waits, rising housing costs, and an increasingly competitive job market.
“There’s a broad understanding—regardless of political leaning—that immigration levels are just too high,” Jivani said. “Canadians are struggling to find hospital beds, family doctors, homes, and jobs.”
His petition, however, excludes agricultural workers. Jivani believes seasonal farm labor should fall under a separate framework, distinct from the current TFW structure.
Youth Unemployment at the Forefront of this Temporary Foreign Worker Program Call off
One of Jivani’s key motivators is the surge in youth unemployment. According to Statistics Canada’s May jobs report, unemployment among 15 to 24-year-olds hit 14 percent in April. Jivani argues that young Canadians deserve more access to jobs that are increasingly being filled by temporary foreign workers.
Liberal Government Pushes Back
The federal government has already begun scaling back the TFW program. In high-unemployment regions, applications are now being refused for certain sectors. Between 2025 and 2027, only 82,000 foreign workers per year are expected to be admitted, as per Ottawa’s immigration plan.
Employment Minister Patty Hajdu responded sharply to Jivani’s campaign. In an emailed statement, she pointed out that Jivani doesn’t hold an official critic role in the Conservative caucus.
“I know MP Jivani wasn’t included in Andrew Scheer’s shadow cabinet,” Hajdu wrote. “If he had been briefed, he’d know we’ve already reduced the program to match local labor needs.”
She also emphasized that the TFW program is essential for certain industries, notably agriculture and tourism. “It does not replace Canadian talent,” she added. “It supplements labor where gaps exist.”
What is it! A Solo Act or Rising Voice?
Jivani’s petition appears to be a personal initiative. He is not one of the Conservative Party’s designated critics on immigration or employment. Those roles currently belong to Alberta MPs Michelle Rempel Garner and Garnett Genuis. The Conservative Party has not officially commented on Jivani’s petition.
While his move may not carry the backing of his party’s leadership, Jivani’s message seems to resonate with Canadians frustrated by healthcare delays, housing scarcity, and job insecurity. Whether this petition gains political traction or fades as a solo effort remains to be seen.
For now, Jivani has opened a fresh—and fiery—chapter in Canada’s conversation on immigration and labor policy.
