The Dawson Creek McDonald’s, like many Peace Region businesses, is struggling to recruit and retain staff.
Brian Boresky, owner of the Dawson Creek McDonald’s, sent a letter to city council Monday seeking support as changes to the Temporary Foreign Worker Program approach.
The federal government is increasing the cap on low-wage temporary foreign workers in certain sectors, with changes taking effect on April 1.
Most sectors will be allowed to hire low-wage temporary foreign workers to fill up to 15 per cent of their workforce, an increase of five percentage points. The move could help rural businesses like the Dawson Creek McDonald’s fill its labour gap.
Boresky seeks council support to access program changes through the province. He says the available labour is limited and seasonal demand is high.
“Despite ongoing efforts to hire locally and invest in training and development, these pressures make it increasingly difficult to maintain consistent hours and service levels that our communities and visitors rely on,” the letter reads.
Council voted in favor of supporting the request and will meet with Boresky in April.
Some specific sectors, including healthcare, will keep a higher cap of 20 percent. Other small changes are also being introduced, such as adjustments to the Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA) process.
That process requires employers to demonstrate they have put in reasonable efforts to hire locally before turning to foreign workers. The new measures are expected to stay in place until March 2027.
Premier David Eby has been critical of the Temporary Foreign Program in the past. He says the federal government should focus on improving the pathway to permanent residency instead of increasing the number of temporary residents.
In November, the federal government announced a new pathway for temporary residents. The pathway aims to provide about 33,000 foreigners with an easier route to permanent residency, focusing on high-demand sectors. The pathway was quietly launched in March.