Liberal Minority Government 2025 - ???

[ArmyRick]

Be that as it may, I read the platforms and listened to the speeches when leaders made them, and PP didn't really cover that.

That said, he's saying it now, and I'm not unhappy that he is. Maybe Carney will borrow that idea next. I'm liking the synergy between team red and team blue.

Stealing and poaching ideas is encouraged.

I would love to start a tax reduction bidding war

 

[ArmyRick]

I'm sure at 25-28$/hr they might get some unemployed in Windsor to do that work, but; 1) would productivity at the greenhouses suffer (willing to bet that it would) and, 2) are you, the consumer, willing to pay 30%+ more for your vegetables just to reduce the bringing in of 5.000 Mexicans?

I am gonna put the brakes on you. Its not the ag TFW they are talking about. That has always been there. Always.

They are talking about every Timmys, Wendys, Starbucks, Grocery Stores, Walmarts, etc. filled with TFWs. Thats the dialogue.

 

[Jarnhamar]

I beg to differ

In Ontario drivers need to do a retest once they're 80 and every 2 years after. Dropping that age to 65 would certainly save lives.

In Ontario visitors can drive for up to 3 months on an international drivers license, which doesnt require a road test.

Theres cases of truck drivers using bribery and forged documents to get their Canadian license. Sounds very similar to our college diploma mills.

 

[Czech_pivo]

I am gonna put the brakes on you. Its not the ag TFW they are talking about. That has always been there. Always.

They are talking about every Timmys, Wendys, Starbucks, Grocery Stores, Walmarts, etc. filled with TFWs. Thats the dialogue.

Lol, your example is linked directly to the number of Int'l students allowed in and the number of hours they are allowed to work under their student visas. Add to that the 'fast track' entrepreneur and business investment immigrants that are allowed to enter Canada every year and the fact that these are coming from Southeast Asia and those folks have been hiring in massive numbers said international students.

Add to the mix that the existing franchisee owners of said Wendy's, Timmy's, A&W, Pita Pit, etc, etc are selling their franchise's to these new immigrants at much much prices and retiring.

The massive drop in International students is already directly affecting the Colleges in Ontario and to a lessor extent, the University's. This has lead to a large drop in course offerings, closing of satellite campus and head count. Give it another year and you'll see the youth unemployment numbers dropping.

https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/sudb...s-enrollment-post-secondary-figures-1.7620282

Canada records large drop in study permits for Q1

The number of temporary residents in Canada has dropped to its lowest level since Covid, driven by declining international student numbers.

thepienews.com

International Student Cuts Lead to 10,000 Job Losses at Ontario Colleges, Union Says - Canada Immigration and Visa Information. Canadian Immigration Services and Free Online Evaluation.

Ontario's college system has lost 10,000 jobs due to the federal cap on international students, says OPSEU, calling for urgent reinvestment in education.

immigration.ca

Ontario Colleges In Crisis: 50% Student Drop Sparks Program Cuts

Ontario colleges face crisis with 50% drop in international students, program cuts, and budget woes. Can they adapt?

immigrationnewscanada.ca

 

[The Bread Guy]

... We wouldn’t want Canadians to be paid decent wages, easier to just bring in TFW for slave labour wages to serve coffee.

And your evidence for TFW's getting less than minimum wage? Or that offering higher wages will lead to more Canadians wanting the jobs and getting them?

Twenty years ago, places in northern Ontario with active mines had to bring in foreign workers because nobody was willing to work at the coffee shop for $25/hour compared to the mining jobs, so this isn't a new problem. As @Czech_pivo said, there's jobs Canadian's aren't taking for any money.

If TFW's are generally making minimum wage, and you consider that "slave labour wages," are you also dipping your toe into "we need a higher minimum wage" waters, too?

I also have to say that it's bold of you, in this time of lots of calls to deal with all of "those people" to echo a position taken last year by a (globalist/run by Soros/New World Order) U.N. investigator stopping in Ottawa, Moncton, Montréal, Toronto and Vancouver. Even HE said (highlights mine), though, that he was ....

... encouraged to find that majority of employers of temporary foreign workers act in good faith, noting that 94 per cent were found compliant during inspections in 2023. He also received information regarding various initiatives to protect the rights of workers implemented by employers and appreciated the efforts of the Government to increase worker protections, such as updated regulations requiring employersto inform workers of their rights and to ensure access to health care. He also appreciated that employers in British Columbia, Manitoba, Saskatchewan and Nova Scotia must be registered with provincial and territorial authorities before hiring temporary foreign workers ...

I am gonna put the brakes on you. Its not the ag TFW they are talking about. That has always been there. Always.

Good clarification. Sadly, a lot of harshest grumbling on the socials also includes how those folks are taking jobs away from Canadians, too

 

[ArmyRick]

Lol, your example is linked directly to the number of Int'l students allowed in and the number of hours they are allowed to work under their student visas. Add to that the 'fast track' entrepreneur and business investment immigrants that are allowed to enter Canada every year and the fact that these are coming from Southeast Asia and those folks have been hiring in massive numbers said international students.

Add to the mix that the existing franchisee owners of said Wendy's, Timmy's, A&W, Pita Pit, etc, etc are selling their franchise's to these new immigrants at much much prices and retiring.

The massive drop in International students is already directly affecting the Colleges in Ontario and to a lessor extent, the University's. This has lead to a large drop in course offerings, closing of satellite campus and head count. Give it another year and you'll see the youth unemployment numbers dropping.

https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/sudb...s-enrollment-post-secondary-figures-1.7620282

Canada records large drop in study permits for Q1

The number of temporary residents in Canada has dropped to its lowest level since Covid, driven by declining international student numbers.

thepienews.com

International Student Cuts Lead to 10,000 Job Losses at Ontario Colleges, Union Says - Canada Immigration and Visa Information. Canadian Immigration Services and Free Online Evaluation.

Ontario's college system has lost 10,000 jobs due to the federal cap on international students, says OPSEU, calling for urgent reinvestment in education.

immigration.ca

Ontario Colleges In Crisis: 50% Student Drop Sparks Program Cuts

Ontario colleges face crisis with 50% drop in international students, program cuts, and budget woes. Can they adapt?

immigrationnewscanada.ca

There is nowhere for international students to study up here in my immediate area. And we have a flood of TFWs.

 

[Czech_pivo]

There is nowhere for international students to study up here in my immediate area. And we have a flood of TFWs.

It's call fraud - they are coming in under the International student scheme at some phony 'English Language school' or some 'training programme' and not going to them.

 

[ArmyRick]

And your evidence for TFW's getting less than minimum wage?

From my understanding, I may be incorrect, if the employer fills out a LMIA (local Market impact assessment) and proves they "tried" to hire someone in the area, they can get a subsidy for roughly $3/hour to help cover TFW wages.

The employer pays less for minimum wage since the fed government tops it up

 

[Halifax Tar]

In Ontario drivers need to do a retest once they're 80 and every 2 years after. Dropping that age to 65 would certainly save lives.

I second this motion.

The massive drop in International students is already directly affecting the Colleges in Ontario and to a lessor extent, the University's. This has lead to a large drop in course offerings, closing of satellite campus and head count.

You say that like its a bad thing...

 

[ArmyRick]

It's call fraud - they are coming in under the International student scheme at some phony 'English Language school' or some 'training programme' and not going to them.

I mean in my area, there is NO university, college, training academies, deVrys, etc. Its grade and high schools, thats it. You have to drive over an hour in either direction to hit a post secondary training or education facility.

Yet, we have TFWs almost everywhere.

 

[The Bread Guy]

From my understanding, I may be incorrect, if the employer fills out a LMIA (local Market impact assessment) and proves they "tried" to hire someone in the area, they can get a subsidy for roughly $3/hour to help cover TFW wages.

The employer pays less for minimum wage since the fed government tops it up

All true, but the point I was debating was ...

... We wouldn’t want Canadians to be paid decent wages ...

... so with or without the subsidy, minimum wage workers make the same amount. It costs the employer less under TFW, but the employee's cheque ends up being the same, all other factors being the same.

Other issues with the system, though? No question, needs LOADSA work.

 

[Czech_pivo]

This is the problem -

New International Student Program regulations take effect

Canada’s diverse and inclusive society, high-quality educational institutions and potential opportunities to work or immigrate after graduation have made Canada a leading destination for students from around the world. The International Student Program must be sustainable, and students must be...

www.canada.ca

"including the change to the number of hours international students may work off campus that was proposed earlier this year. With this change, eligible students can now work up to 24 hours per week off campus while their classes are in session."

I don't know how its possible for a kid going to school full time and having all the homework/study/labs/tutorials that go along with full time university/college and can still work 24!! hours a week! That's insane. A more realistic number is half of that - 12hrs a week - no more.

 

[IKnowNothing]

Numerical context for the issue

StatsCan estimates of Overall non permanent work permit holders (not just TFW program) 1.463mm Q42024, down to 1.453mm Q2 2025 - down by 10k

2024 January to October - 162k new permits issued, 33k of them for the Agricultural stream (129k non Ag)

January to June 2025 - 105k total permits, 33k new, 72k extensions.

 

[IKnowNothing]

I don't know how its possible for a kid going to school full time and having all the homework/study/labs/tutorials that go along with full time university/college and can still work 24!! hours a week! That's insane. A more realistic number is half of that - 12hrs a week - no more.

Depends on the program. For many the rule of thumb is 3 hours in class per course per week, with a ~1:1 class/study ratio. Picking up 20-30 hours of work on top is completely reasonable if the scheduling works- if that's the life you want/need.

Get into the more intensive STEM fields with 5 per course/week and a 2:1 or even 3:1, yeah- good luck.

 

[Czech_pivo]

This is the problem -

New International Student Program regulations take effect

Canada’s diverse and inclusive society, high-quality educational institutions and potential opportunities to work or immigrate after graduation have made Canada a leading destination for students from around the world. The International Student Program must be sustainable, and students must be...

www.canada.ca

"including the change to the number of hours international students may work off campus that was proposed earlier this year. With this change, eligible students can now work up to 24 hours per week off campus while their classes are in session."

I don't know how its possible for a kid going to school full time and having all the homework/study/labs/tutorials that go along with full time university/college and can still work 24!! hours a week! That's insane. A more realistic number is half of that - 12hrs a week - no more.

Why are these kids allowed to work off campus?

My daughter is now attending Uni in the US on a soccer scholarship. The only employment that she could have in the US would be on-campus and limited to 20hrs, and the school must approve of the work and ensure that no US citizen or permanent resident is displaced because of the job. For her to be able to work 'off-campus', she would have to have employment directly linked to her student curriculum - such as an internship - this would require BOTH the approval/sign off of an official at the school's foreign student office and a US immigration official.

Compare that to what we have - ability straight away to work off campus - at ANY type of job - for 24hrs a week, with the ability to get hire over and before a Canadian citizen or permanent resident.

So, yes, I'm 100% for reducing the number of hours an International student can work in Canada, the type of work that they can do (must be directly related to their school programme) and NO Canadian citizen or perm resident can lose their job or be pass over for the international student.

 

[Haggis]

There is nowhere for international students to study up here in my immediate area. And we have a flood of TFWs.

Are you sure they are TFWs and not PRs?

 

[ArmyRick]

A bunch I know are TFWs because my kids and their friends work with them. They have outright stated they are TFWs.

Clarify PR?

 

[foresterab]

And your evidence for TFW's getting less than minimum wage? Or that offering higher wages will lead to more Canadians wanting the jobs and getting them?

Twenty years ago, places in northern Ontario with active mines had to bring in foreign workers because nobody was willing to work at the coffee shop for $25/hour compared to the mining jobs, so this isn't a new problem. As @Czech_pivo said, there's jobs Canadian's aren't taking for any money.
....

Sounds like trying to work in many parts in Western Canada when oil patch booms were going on. High school students working part time making more than their teacher was not uncommon. And god forbid you try to staff a restaurant or coffee shop as you sometimes hired people for hours before they quit for higher paying jobs being offered...and it's even more fun when you're a franchise and not allowed to raise your rates.

While there's many things I hate about boom times or tying to work under those communities there is one key advantage....there is generally more work than people and folks will be less concerned about credential creep and more about effort given. Many folks got some key training and/or experience under the booms that normally would have been under-educated, non-optimal candidates and have worked into successful professional/well paying roles. Of course just as likely folks rode the good times assuming it would never end and crashed with nothing...

Point it when employers are actively hiring at good wages...workers show up from all over the country. But you can't relocate your family for $20/hr especially if there's no guarantee of long term work. $40/hr...people are kicking down your door especially if you're willing to train and/or offer some assistance in temporary housing.

But almost every TFW I know - all in the restaurant business - has a story of working more hours than getting paid, large employee deductions, and no control over schedule or role to work...because if they object their fired and forced to return home. It's as bad as the unpaid "internship" I hear stories of mostly in the US in some sectors where basically the employer has cheap, replaceable, and most importantly fully controlled staff. And no incentive to change practices as they hold all the cards.

Agriculture is ironically probably the one I hear the best about with many taking over local farms back home after years/decades of being an active part of the farm. Hear the stories just dont' know anyone working as a TFW in the agriculture industry.

 

[YZT580]

Of course there is no authority they hold over voters which prevents the latter from defecting.

Which is what they did. The definition of insanity seem to fit the rulers of the NDP: repeating the same process over and over expecting a different result.

 

[YZT580]

The reality is this, there are jobs here in Canada that CDN's living here will not do - at wages linked to the job. I've pointed out on here numerous times that Windsor, ON usually has the HIGHEST unemployment in Canada, yet 25-30km's away in the Harrow-Kingsville-Leamington corridor the local greenhouse companies bring in 5-6,000 Mexican/Caribbean workers making min. or above min. wages for FT work picking vegetables because virtually NO ONE in the Windsor area will do the work.

I'm sure at 25-28$/hr they might get some unemployed in Windsor to do that work, but; 1) would productivity at the greenhouses suffer (willing to bet that it would) and, 2) are you, the consumer, willing to pay 30%+ more for your vegetables just to reduce the bringing in of 5.000 Mexicans?

Need to recall Michael Harris and his no work no welfare policy.