We condemn Eby’s statements on temporary foreign workers

Last week, BC’s premier David Eby made public statements blaming migrants and the temporary foreign worker program for youth unemployment, and the increased demand for resources like emergency food and housing. RAMA Okanagan strongly condemns these statements and the continuous scapegoating of some of the community’s most vulnerable members. Migrants and temporary foreign workers are NOT responsible for creating these systemic issues provincially or nationally, nor do they have the power to resolve them.

Most migrant workers, particularly those working in BC, are employed in agriculture, fisheries, or trucking. These industries typically do not hire youth, meaning the assertion that temporary foreign workers are competing for jobs with Canadian youth is simply false.

Shelters and food banks across the province have reported a general rise of all groups accessing their services, including newcomers to BC, highlighting how the rising costs and affordability crisis impacts all our community members. Moreover, many of these services do not support temporary foreign workers to begin with due to criteria that makes them ineligible.

The reality is that the number of Temporary Foreign Workers in BC has decreased, and they cannot be blamed for any increase in youth unemployment. Hiring decisions are made by employers, not by migrants. Similarly, it is developers, landlords, and local governments who shape housing markets, not migrants or international students.

Migrants contribute to our communities by providing essential services and supporting sectors that many people rely on every day. Attempts to shift responsibility onto marginalized people are both misleading and harmful. We refuse to allow politicians to divide our communities through scapegoating and fear.

Instead, we join the many organizations across Canada calling for immediate Status for All so temporary foreign workers can free themselves from unsafe and abusive working conditions and be eligible to the many services they contribute to via their paycheques but are currently not able to use, like Employment Insurance. Whats more, we call on the Federal government to strengthen their proposed housing standards for those working in agriculture to ensure Provincial governments implement guaranteeing compliance, workers’ confidentiality and a strong inspection regime. A healthy, sustainable and fairly treated workforce benefits all Canadians.

Join Rama Okanagan on a broad joint day of action on September 20, 2025 to Draw the Line on inequality and exploitation in over 40 cities.