In Ontario, open work permits for vulnerable workers soared to 435 in the first quarter of 2025, up from just 45 during the same period last year, according to the most recent data from Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada — an 867 per cent increase.

In British Columbia, 650 permits were issued in the first quarter of 2025, a sharp rise from just 40 during the same period in 2024. Quebec and Alberta each saw 465 permits issued in early 2025, up from 65 and 30, respectively, during the same period last year.

I expected the numbers to be higher than that.

We see ourselves as a progressive country. It’s an absolute embarrassment that we invite people into our country and then treat them like this. If Canadians can’t/won’t so the work, then we should ensure that the people who come in to fill those jobs have the same protections that a successful worker world have.

The UN called it modern slavery, the NDP called it saving “small business”. Small business meaning Tim Horton’s, and saving meaning increasing profits.

Let’s be real, there’s a lot of abusive employers in Canada especially within industries that cater to the foreign “education” programs. Some security companies in BC have very suspect hiring and payroll practices. We need to clean house and see where we stand first.