Full Breakdown
Saskatchewan Faces Labour Shortages as Temporary Foreign Worker Permits Expire
3/15/2026, 12:03:55 AM
Impending Expiration of Work Permits
Saskatchewan is preparing for significant labour shortages as over 1.3 million temporary foreign worker permits are set to expire by the end of 2023. This situation is particularly concerning for industries such as hospitality, trucking, agriculture, and skilled trades, which heavily rely on these workers to fill critical labour gaps. Brianna Solberg, provincial affairs director at the Canadian Federation of Independent Business (CFIB), emphasized that the loss of these workers will severely impact productivity, especially for small businesses that depend more on temporary foreign labour.
Context of Labour Dependence
For the past 25 years, Saskatchewan has increasingly relied on recruiting foreign workers to sustain its population and workforce. Andrew Stevens, an associate professor at the University of Regina, noted that many industries have integrated foreign workers into their business models. As of late 2025, Saskatchewan had 47,503 non-permanent residents, with 31,458 holding work permits, according to Statistics Canada. The temporary foreign worker program constitutes about 10% of all non-permanent residents in Canada and approximately 1% of the total workforce.
Government Response and New Measures
In response to the impending crisis, the federal government announced new temporary measures that will allow rural employers to retain their current number of temporary workers and increase their allowable share from 10% to 15% of their total workforce. These measures, which must be requested by provinces and territories, can be implemented no earlier than April 1, 2024, and will expire on March 31, 2027. Buckley Belanger, secretary of state for rural development, acknowledged the tight labour markets and smaller local workforces in many rural areas of Canada.
Criticism and Concerns
Despite the federal announcement, the Government of Saskatchewan expressed dissatisfaction, stating that it received no prior notice regarding these measures and has not had the opportunity to review the details. This lack of communication raises concerns about the effectiveness of the new policies. The CFIB welcomed the announcement but is seeking clarity on how these temporary measures will specifically benefit those with expiring permits.
Future Implications for Workers
As the expiration of work permits approaches, uncertainty looms for affected workers. Andrew Stevens raised critical questions about their future: “Do those workers go home? Do they stay in Canada under certain conditions but without the ability to work?” This situation may force many into informal or gig economy jobs, further complicating the labour landscape in Saskatchewan.
Verbatim Quotes
- “They’re going to lose access to those workers, and so it will come as a huge blow to their productivity,” — Brianna Solberg, Provincial Affairs Director, CFIB
- “As the temporary foreign worker and international student population has evaporated, those jobs are going unfilled. And so our anticipation is that by July of this year, we will see significant shortfalls,” — Jim Bence, President and CEO, Hospitality Saskatchewan
- “In many parts of rural Canada, employers are dealing with tight labour markets, smaller local workforces, and fewer people able to move where the jobs are,” — Buckley Belanger, Secretary of State for Rural Development
The situation in Saskatchewan underscores the critical reliance on temporary foreign workers and the potential ramifications of policy changes on both industries and individuals.
