The Huron Chamber of Commerce is aware of the media campaign launched by the National Citizens Coalition (NCC), which calls for the elimination of the Temporary Foreign Worker Program and other changes to Canada’s immigration system based on concerns about youth employment. While the NCC’s claims may reflect frustration felt in some parts of Canada, they do not reflect the reality in Huron County.
Here in Huron County, employers are not choosing between Canadian youth and temporary foreign workers, they are struggling to find any available workers to meet their labour needs. Seasonal industries, food services, agriculture, and health care continue to experience significant shortages, even as they actively recruit locally and invest in youth employment programs.
The NCC campaign does not offer any meaningful labour market context. While it cites rising numbers of temporary foreign workers, it provides no information about the job markets those workers are entering. Without understanding whether those jobs could be filled locally, or whether they are going unfilled entirely, the immigration numbers don’t tell the full story.
In Huron County, those temporary foreign workers are filling jobs that would otherwise remain vacant. Local employers are not choosing foreign labour over local youth, they are facing a shortage of applicants across the board. In many ways, hiring international talent is more expensive than hiring locally, so employers are already motivated to “hire Canadian” when they can.
According to data provided by the Four County Labour Market Planning Board, the local unemployment rate in May was 3.9%, fully half the provincial rate of 7.9%. That is a major gap, and it has very real consequences for local employers trying to fill essential roles. In fact, the sectors the NCC highlights (retail, hospitality, and food services) are among those facing the toughest recruitment challenges in our region.
Similarly, the NCC’s suggestion that Canadian youth are being “squeezed out” of the labour market is not supported by local data. The youth unemployment rate in Ontario currently sits at 13%, compared to 20% nationally. In the region that includes Huron County, the number of unemployed youth is so small that Statistics Canada cannot even publish a local figure. Meanwhile, youth participation in the workforce here is quite high at 82.9%. These numbers make it clear: virtually no youth in our area who want to work are being displaced by temporary foreign workers. In fact, there aren’t enough local workers of any age to meet employer demand in Huron County.
Earlier this year, the Huron Chamber hosted a Local Impact Briefing on Immigration and Workforce Challenges, bringing together employers, service providers, and local government leaders. The message was clear: immigration, including programs like the Temporary Foreign Worker Program and international student pathways is not only vital to the functioning of our economy but it is essential to the sustainability of our communities.
In fact, the Chamber has formally called on the provincial government to expand access to temporary foreign workers in Huron County, recognizing the critical role they play in keeping local businesses open and services running. This call to action has been echoed by several municipalities in our region, who understand the very real consequences of unfilled jobs and labour shortages.
We believe that responsible public discourse requires more than slogans. It requires listening to local employers, understanding the pressures they face, and making space for honest conversations about how immigration and workforce development intersect.
The Huron Chamber of Commerce is committed to ensuring our members have access to accurate, timely labour force data. We work closely with regional partners to provide insight into Huron County’s unique labour market and what it means for local business. We encourage members to reach out to us with their workforce concerns, and we will continue to advocate for policies that reflect the realities on the ground in our community.
The Huron Chamber of Commerce is one of Canada’s fastest growing Chambers, connecting community leaders since 1990. Representing businesses across eight Huron County municipalities, the Chamber focuses on growing the local economy, supporting business success, and strengthening our towns and villages. As an independent, non-profit organization, the Chamber advocates for business and community interests, facilitates collaboration, and convenes stakeholders to develop and support a vibrant and thriving county.