The restaurant industry in British Columbia is on high alert following significant changes to the temporary foreign worker (TFW) program that are set to drive food prices through the roof.

Recent federal revisions will prohibit low-wage temporary foreign workers from seeking employment in regions where the unemployment rate exceeds six percent. Concurrently, businesses in the high-wage category will now be required to pay a minimum hourly wage of $34.62 for temporary workers in B.C. This move is part of Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s strategy to prioritize Canadian job seekers amidst mounting concerns over unemployment and the housing crisis.

However, restaurateurs argue that these changes could lead to dire consequences. Lewis Hart, the owner of Laowai in Vancouver’s Chinatown, voiced his concerns about the labor shortage that has plagued the industry for years. He emphasized the industry's reliance on TFWs to maintain operations and how the drastic wage increase could cripple many businesses.

“Once one employee is paid at that wage, the ripple effect will compell the entire industry to adjust, driving prices significantly higher,” Hart warned. “I wouldn’t be surprised if we see a future where $30 burgers become the norm within months if these changes come to fruition.”

The repercussions could also extend to thousands of foreign workers potentially leaving Canada, as employers may find it unsustainable to meet the proposed wage requirements. Hart, whose own background as an immigrant conflicts with these new policies, insists that even with raised wages, Canadians are not lining up for those late-night shifts.

“Many workers shy away from positions that require them to clock out at 2 a.m., especially when public transit options are limited,” he noted, pointing out that the industry is losing more qualified workers than it is gaining. “This support system has been crucial for us since the pandemic, and now it feels like the safety net is being yanked away.”

Ian Tostenson, CEO of the B.C. Restaurant and Foodservices Association, echoed these sentiments, stating that the majority of low-wage jobs are actually skilled positions that cannot easily be filled by local labor, especially given the shortage of registered cooks and chefs in the Canadian workforce.

“Responsible immigration is essential, yet these government measures seem more politically motivated than practical,” Tostenson stressed, cautioning that the consequences could set the industry back even further.

In the wake of these concerning updates, both Hart and Tostenson have urged the federal government to focus on resolving underlying issues, such as the housing crisis, rather than penalizing businesses that rely on foreign labor.

“Stop scapegoating businesses for inefficiencies when the housing situation is clearly at the core of the problem,” Hart stated passionately, reinforcing the urgent need for supportive policies that address the actual causes of labor shortages.

The scheduled implementation of the new wage rates is set to take effect this Friday, potentially leading to a seismic shift in the province’s dining scene. Whether diners will brace for an era of inflated menu prices or if businesses will adapt remains to be seen. But for now, the prospect of gourmet burgers costing $30 has never felt more real.