Tim Hortons says it is moving away from its previous call for expanded access to Canada’s Temporary Foreign Worker Program as it launches a campaign to hire 10,000 new local workers.
In a statement released Monday, the company said about 4,000 of its 110,000 employees in Canada were hired through the temporary foreign worker program, about 3.6 per cent of its workforce.
The coffee chain said the number of temporary foreign workers working in its restaurants has been steadily declining through 2024.
During the COVID-19 pandemic, Tim Hortons said it had encouraged the federal government to expand access to the program due to workforce shortages in the restaurant industry.
However, the company now says circumstances have changed.
Citing rising youth unemployment and changes in the labor market, Tim Hortons said, “It is no longer necessary to lobby for expanded access.”
Tim Hortons recently announced plans to open 80 new restaurants and renovate 400 existing locations across the country.
According to the company, 340 franchise owners are investing $270 million in the expansion effort, while the corporation itself is contributing an additional $130 million.
Approximately 1,500 franchisees currently operate approximately 4,000 Tim Hortons restaurants across Canada.
