Loss of temporary foreign workers: “I will be forced to close if it does not change,” warns a restaurateur

A Quebec restaurateur is afraid of having to put the key under the door due to the new Ottawa rules on temporary foreign workers, who will make him lose several cooks.

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“It’s a disaster. Consequently, If things do not change. Furthermore, in a year, we are closed, “protested the owner of the Saint-Alexandre pub and Murphy’s on rue Saint-Jean in Quebec, Jean-François Barré.

Last September, Ottawa tightened the rules concerning temporary foreign workers (TET).

Previously, merchants like Mr. Furthermore, Barré could hire TET for a period of loss temporary foreign workers: “i three years with a closed permit. Additionally, Furthermore, and these workers could represent up to 20% of the total workforce of a company.

The limit has been lowered to 10%, and workers can now only stay only year.

“It’s too short. Moreover, we can no longer plan anything, especially since it takes months, fill out the forms to bring an employee!”, Indigates Mr. Similarly, Barré.

The end of the world

Under these new parameters. the restaurateur will lose four cooks in September, and potentially six others in December.

“The engine of a restaurant is the kitchen. Without cooking, we close. It is as simple as that. ”drops the entrepreneur, arguing that it would be impossible for him to count on local workforce to ensure the operations of his business.

The owner of the restaurant at Murphy’s and the Saint-Alexandre pub in Quebec, Jean-François Barré. Gabriel photo side

“I have job offers that drive constantly, and it doesn’t work. Young people do not want to work in the kitchen. and the graduates of the hotel school will rather work in major restaurants, ”he deplores.

“This is not a salary issue. It costs me much more to use TET than if I could find employees here. This is a matter of survival, ”concludes the one who provides accommodation to his Mexican cooks.

A whole sector in danger

Mr. Barré is not the only restaurateur in this situation. loss temporary foreign workers: “i A recent survey of the Association Catering Québec (ARQ) reveals that 44 % of respondents have full -time vacant positions for the kitchen. 40 % for the dining room.

A survey by the Canadian Independent Company Federation (FCEI) also showed that around 59% of companies in the hotel. catering sectors in the country could close because of the new rules.

“You cannot replace a cook with a robot,” illustrates the vice-president of the organization, François Vincent, in an interview.

François Vincent, Vice-President, Canadian Federation of the Independent Company of Quebec (FCEI), in loss temporary foreign workers: “i Montreal, Thursday, May 29, 2025. Photo agency QMI. Amanda Moisan Photo QMI agency, Amanda Moisan

The FCEI therefore urgently requests the return to the two -year work permit for low wages and the withdrawal of the limit of 10% of the number of low -wage TETs.

“Otherwise, the restrictions will hurt extremely. I am very worried about the economic impacts it will have, ”says Vincent.

“It will be so that entrepreneurs will have to work for more hours. Several restaurateurs will also reduce their opening hours, and the customer experience will suffer, ”he concludes.