New data from Employment and Social Development Canada (ESDC) reveals a significant increase in the demand for temporary foreign workers (TFWs) across various Canadian industries. In 2023, nearly 240,000 TFWs were approved, more than double the 109,000 approved in 2018. This trend has been rising since 2016, except for a dip in 2020 due to COVID-19. The data indicates a growing number of employers are seeking TFWs to fill vacancies, although it does not necessarily mean all approved TFWs are hired. Notably, the healthcare, food service, and construction sectors have seen the highest increases in TFW approvals.
