As some federal and provincial politicians argue that Canada's temporary foreign worker program is stopping young Canadians from finding good-paying jobs, some experts say migrant workers aren't to blame and that other immigration streams could be the problem.
Earlier this week, both Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre and B.C. Premier David Eby demanded Ottawa scrap or reform the temporary foreign worker program, claiming it was shutting young people out of jobs and driving down wages.
But Mark Holthe, an immigration lawyer based in Alberta, told CBC Radio's The House that the temporary foreign worker program requires employers to prove there's no Canadian available to do the job and that they're paying the prevailing wage rate .
"It's designed not to put downward pressure on wages," he said.
The real challenge, Holthe said, lies with international students who can obtain open work permits after graduation that can be valid for up to three years.
WATCH | Poilievre wants temporary foreign worker program to end: Poilievre calls for temporary foreign worker program to be scrapped | Duration 0:53 Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre called on
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