A new survey by BC Care Providers Association (BCCPA) highlights the significant role the Temporary Foreign Worker (TFW) Program plays in helping seniors living and care providers address workforce shortages and fill vacant positions across British Columbia. The survey found that any future reduction to the program could have serious operational consequences, including increased reliance on overtime and greater use of agency staff.
The findings come as federal government leaders have signaled a potential change in their approach to the TFW Program, raising concerns about the impact reduced access could have on staffing levels, service delivery, and the quality of care and support available to seniors.
Conducted among 29 long-term care, assisted living, independent living, and home health operators, the survey found:
- Use of the TFW Program: Of the 29 respondents, a little under half (41%) reported that they were using the TFW Program at the time of the survey. Respondents spanned the full spectrum of care settings, indicating that temporary foreign workers play essential roles across seniors’ care.
- Share of temporary foreign workers in the workforce: A majority (67%) indicated that TFWs accounted for less than 5% of their workforce. However, a significant portion of operators (27%) reported a higher reliance, with TFWs comprising more than 20% of staff.
- Types of roles filled by temporary foreign workers: Among long-term care providers, 38% reported employing TFWs as healthcare assistants (HCAs), while just under half reported using TFWs in nursing roles (23% as RNs and 23% as LPNs). Among assisted living and independent living providers, roughly one‑third (33% and 36%, respectively) reported hiring TFWs as HCAs, with smaller proportions employing TFWs as nurses. TFWs are also employed in other roles like environmental support staff, dietary and culinary staff, admin staff, etc.
- Processing time delays: Respondents who use the program reported that their TFWs often encounter difficulties navigating the immigration system, particularly with work permit renewals and processing time delays. Three-quarters (75%) of the respondents indicated that their staff has experienced similar challenges. More than a few respondents commented that these immigration issues also lead to staff leaving their positions.
- Impact on operations if the TFW Program is scaled back: A significant share of respondents indicated that scaling back the TFW Program would seriously affect their operations, leading to greater reliance on overtime and agency staff.
Among long-term care operators, 40% reported they would experience minimal impact; 40% anticipated a serious impact. The outlook is more acute for assisted living providers: 78% said scaling back the program would have serious operational consequences. Independent living providers reported similar concerns, with 60% expecting a serious impact. Home health providers were evenly split, with 50% anticipating minimal impact and 50% expecting a serious impact.
Overall, operators indicated that scaling back the TFW Program would have serious operational consequences, including greater reliance on overtime and agency staff. Respondents across the seniors living and care sector also reported that the program has helped alleviate hiring pressures and fill vacancies in multiple job categories.
BCCPA will continue to work with our federal counterparts to advocate for a stronger workforce and ensure seniors across British Columbia have access to high-quality care and services.
