Northwest B.C. Businesses Struggle as Immigration Rules Impact Foreign Worker Supply

Businesses across northwest B.C. are facing severe challenges due to stricter immigration regulations that limit the number of foreign workers. Local industries, including restaurants, hotels, and taxis, rely heavily on temporary foreign workers to fill critical roles, but recent changes to the Temporary Foreign Worker Program have disrupted this vital supply.
Since Fall 2024, new Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA) requirements and capped hiring limits have left many businesses scrambling. Some workers, including Lalit Bhatia, head chef at Opa Sushi in Prince Rupert, face deportation despite years of employment and skilled work. Bhatia’s work permit expired while awaiting LMIA approval, leaving him uncertain about his future in Canada.
Business leaders, including those from the Crest Hotel and Highliner Hotel, have called on the federal government to adopt more flexible immigration policies for northern B.C. They are pushing for faster work permit approvals and the reversal of hiring caps to help sustain their operations.