A proposed motion that would see District of Sechelt council send a letter to the federal government in support of temporary foreign workers (TFW) living and working in Sechelt, will be brought forward for a second time at a regular council meeting, June 18.
The motion was first presented to council by Mayor John Henderson June 4 but was defeated by one vote. At the time, three councillors were unavailable to vote.
Henderson’s motion asks for support in sending a letter to Patrick Weiler, MP for West Vancouver – Sunshine Coast – Sea to Sky Country, for assistance in renewing work permits so that the “families of Temporary Foreign Workers can stay in Canada and asking him to advocate for such a change as a matter of urgency to our community; and that a copy of this letter of support be provided to other local governments on the Sunshine Coast encouraging them to also support this initiative.”
As of Jan. 21, the Canadian government added restrictions to its open work permit (OWP) eligibility for family members of international students and foreign workers. In addition, the foreign worker must also have at least 16 months remaining on their work permit at the time when their spouse applies for the OWP. Dependent children of foreign workers will no longer be eligible to apply for an OWP.
Henderson noted the changes will also leave local employers in a bind, because it’s extremely difficult, if not impossible, to recruit workers from off the Coast.
He also wants the Sunshine Coast to be included in the government's Rural Community Immigration Program. Through the program, 14 communities across BC have been chosen for a pilot project and given an opportunity to show they can support and benefit from skilled migrants. These communities are approving certain employers to hire for jobs they can’t fill with local workers.
“Obviously people can't commute here,” said Henderson. “If you're an employer in North Van, I guess in theory, somebody can come from Richmond or Langley, but you clearly can't come all the way to Sechelt every day of the week.”
Henderson’s motion notes these workers came to Canada under immigration programs and regulations that allowed them to have their spouses and children accompany them, along with assurances the workers could both renew their own work permits and renew the permits for their spouses and children.
Agnes Cabe, one of the organizers of ad hoc group, Keep Families Together, created in response to the changes, told Coast Reporter her story is no different than that of all of her fellow temporary foreign workers.
"We all dreamed of coming, working and, most especially, being reunited with our loved ones in Canada,” said Cabe. “Although mine and my family's work permit is valid until September 2026, my heart is now breaking knowing that soon my family will have to leave Canada. The thought of separation from my family when their permit is over is heart-wrenching.”
Cabe said it’s even harder for temporary foreign workers with work permits that are close to expiring, “The one I know of was crying today, thinking what would likely happen to her family when their respective permit is over in February 2026.”
She says another TFW she knows was refused her work permit renewal because her Labour Market Impact Assessment was not yet approved at the time of her decision. She then had to stop working and re-apply to restore her status.
“She’s a mother of two Canadian citizens. The eldest is one-and-half-years old and the youngest is almost six months now,” said Cabe. “If her restoration status decision comes the other way, she may have to leave Canada. Imagine having to leave your children behind because your permit wasn’t renewed, or should I say refused.”
Cabe says these are just a few of the TFW stories in Sechelt alone, which prompted her to reach out to the mayor. She added, their petition is not just about them personally, but also for the business they work for and the customers who “appreciate and value our work, and the community we would like to be a part of.”
“We are not just asking for help, we are asking to be seen as part of the society and be given a chance to work, stay and build a life here with our family,” said Cabe. “I hope and pray that the second motion to the District of Sechelt happening on June 18, will be more considerate and positive towards our petition to nominate Sunshine Coast in the Rural Community Immigration Program of IRCC.”
The motion was to be considered at council after Coast Reporter's press deadline.
