Tim Hortons says it is reducing its reliance on temporary foreign workers while launching a nationwide campaign aimed at hiring 10,000 new local employees across Canada.
The announcement comes as the iconic Canadian coffee chain responds to changing labour market conditions, growing public debate around the Temporary Foreign Worker (TFW) program and rising youth unemployment across the country.
In a statement released Monday, the company revealed that approximately 4,000 of its 110,000 Canadian restaurant employees were hired through the federal TFW program — representing roughly 3.6 per cent of its workforce.
Tim Hortons said the number of temporary foreign workers employed in its restaurants has been steadily declining since 2024.
The company acknowledged that during the COVID-19 pandemic it had actively pushed the federal government to expand access to the TFW program due to severe labour shortages affecting restaurants and service industries nationwide.
At the time, many restaurants struggled to recruit and retain workers as businesses reopened following pandemic shutdowns and staffing shortages intensified across the hospitality sector.
However, the company now says the labour environment has changed significantly, particularly with unemployment among young Canadians becoming a growing concern.
As a result, Tim Hortons stated that lobbying efforts for expanded access to the TFW program are “no longer necessary.”
The company’s hiring campaign coincides with a major expansion and renovation strategy across Canada.
Tim Hortons recently announced plans to open 80 new restaurants nationwide while renovating approximately 400 existing locations as part of a broader investment initiative.
According to the company, roughly 340 restaurant owners are collectively investing $270 million into the expansion and modernization effort, while the corporation itself will contribute an additional $130 million.
Currently, more than 1,500 franchise owners operate approximately 4,000 Tim Hortons locations across Canada.
The announcement is likely to draw attention amid ongoing national discussions surrounding temporary foreign workers, immigration policy and employment opportunities for Canadian youth and students.
The TFW program has become increasingly controversial in recent years, with critics arguing that some employers have become overly dependent on temporary labour while many young Canadians continue struggling to secure entry-level jobs in retail, food service and hospitality sectors.
At the same time, many business groups have argued the program remains essential in certain regions and industries experiencing chronic labour shortages.
Tim Hortons’ decision to publicly scale back its use of temporary foreign workers while expanding local hiring efforts may now place additional pressure on other major employers in the restaurant and retail sectors to demonstrate stronger domestic recruitment strategies.
Industry observers say the company’s move also reflects a broader shift in Canada’s economic and political climate, where workforce development, youth employment and immigration policy are becoming increasingly interconnected public issues.