New federal measure offers relief, but requires provincial participation
Calgary, March 18, 2026 – The Canadian Federation of Independent Business (CFIB) welcomes a recent federal announcement introducing temporary flexibility to the Temporary Foreign Worker (TFW) Program for rural employers, while urging the Alberta government to opt in so local businesses can benefit.
On March 13, the Government of Canada announced a targeted, temporary measure allowing eligible rural employers to increase the share of low-wage temporary foreign workers from 10% to 15% of their workforce. The change is designed to help businesses facing persistent labour shortages, particularly in rural and remote communities.
“Many small businesses across Alberta are struggling to keep their doors open with the potential loss of experienced, trained workers,” said Keyli Loeppky, CFIB’s Director for Alberta & Interprovincial Affairs. “Any measure that helps employers retain valued staff and maintain operations is a step in the right direction.”
CFIB data shows that Temporary Foreign Workers play a critical role in supporting small business operations. More than half (52%) of small firms using the program say these workers help them maintain operations and protect jobs for Canadians. Without access to experienced staff, businesses risk reducing hours, scaling back services, or closing entirely.
“An employer who can’t find a cook can’t keep servers on staff. These programs don’t replace Canadian workers—they help ensure there are jobs to protect in the first place,” Loeppky added.
Labour shortages remain acute for many small businesses, particularly in rural Alberta where local labour pools are limited. CFIB estimates that nearly one in five small businesses could face closure due to ongoing workforce challenges, while another 24% may be forced to reduce operating hours.
Importantly, the federal measure will only apply in provinces that formally request participation. CFIB has sent a letter to the Government of Alberta urging it to opt into the program so eligible rural employers can access the increased cap.
“This is a practical, targeted solution that recognizes the unique challenges facing rural businesses,” concluded Loeppky. “We’re encouraging the Alberta government to act quickly to ensure these flexibilities are available to employers who need them.”
CFIB is also seeking further clarity from the federal government on whether the measure will help extend the stay of existing Temporary Foreign Workers already in Canada, particularly as there are 1.3 million temporary work permits set to expire in 2026.
For media enquiries or interviews, please contact:
Keyli Loeppky, CFIB
587-580-9140
Keyli.loeppky@cfib.ca
About CFIB
The Canadian Federation of Independent Business (CFIB) is Canada’s largest association of small and medium-sized businesses with 103,000 members across every industry and region (11,000 in Alberta). CFIB is dedicated to increasing business owners’ chances of success by driving policy change at all levels of government, providing expert advice and tools, and negotiating exclusive savings. Learn more at cfib.ca.