Tim Hortons, a prominent Canadian coffee chain, has been advocating for an increase in the limit on temporary foreign workers that its franchisees can employ, according to information obtained by CBC News. This push has been ongoing for more than a year, through written requests and lobbying engagements with government officials and Members of Parliament, coinciding with a shift in Canadian attitudes towards immigration and a reduction in certain immigration streams by the government.
In May 2024, a letter addressed to Immigration Minister Marc Miller highlighted the challenges faced by the food service industry due to the pandemic, emphasizing the sector’s ongoing labor shortages. The letter, resulting from an access to information request, urged an increase in the cap on temporary foreign workers from 20% to 30%, a level that had been temporarily permitted during the peak of the COVID-19 crisis in 2021.
Despite these efforts, the federal government later reduced the cap on temporary foreign workers to 10% in 2024, complicating Tim Hortons’ pursuit of additional foreign labor.
Marc Miller, the former immigration minister, is among multiple MPs Tim Hortons lobbied in October 2025. (Andrew Lee/CBC)
Additionally, Tim Hortons engaged in several lobbying sessions with various Members of Parliament from different political parties, including the governing Liberals, advocating for the increase in temporary foreign workers. These efforts involved interactions with officials from multiple federal departments during meetings in October 2025, as recorded by the Office of the Commissioner of Lobbying of Canada.
Company Pursuing Faster Visa Renewals
Former Immigration Minister Marc Miller, who now oversees the culture and official languages portfolio, met with representatives from Tim Hortons in October to discuss the extension of visas for current employees. The company emphasized the importance of retaining foreign workers already contributing to the Canadian workforce, seeking assurance regarding visa renewals.
These lobbying efforts also included meetings with Conservative and Bloc Québécois MPs, as well as discussions with staff from various ministries, reflecting Tim Hortons’ commitment to addressing its labor needs through targeted advocacy.
Representatives from Tim Hortons and its parent company have been actively engaging with policymakers and officials to navigate the complexities of the temporary foreign worker program, aiming to secure necessary labor resources for their operations.
Representatives from Tim Hortons and its parent company held multiple lobby meetings with MPs and federal staffers this year. (Carlos Osorio/Reuters)
Tim Hortons has expressed the need for flexibility in hiring temporary foreign workers, particularly in rural and smaller communities facing labor shortages. The company emphasized the importance of retaining experienced foreign workers and exploring pathways to permanent residency for those already contributing to the industry.
- <a class="cardWrapper-u5T0r cardWrapper-_487P noPaddingCardWrapper" data-feature-instance="similar-link" data-feature-name="link" data-contentid="1.7513722" aria-hidden="false" data-cy="type-link" href="https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/calgary/westjet-backs-down-tfw-hiring
