By Karim Mouldi

Major infrastructure projects are coming across Canada. So are the fleets, trucks, and vehicles needed to support them. One question remains: who will repair them?

Ottawa hinted at an increase. It never came.

In September, Mark Carney spoke of a “controlled increase.” On November 5, the 2027–2029 immigration plan made the numbers clear: 370,000 temporary residents per year and 380,000 permanent residents. Nothing more. Worse still, the target for the Temporary Foreign Worker Program will drop from 60,000 to 50,000 in 2027.

Quebec Tightens the Rules Even Further

• Targeted cap: 65,000 temporary foreign workers by 2029.
• The Québec Experience Program, a pathway to permanent residency, was abolished on November 19, 2025.
• A minimum French-language proficiency requirement is planned for 2028 for new work permit applications.

The Math Is Simple

• A workforce supply that is reaching its limit.
• Demand that is skyrocketing as major projects get underway.

The result: qualified technicians are becoming increasingly scarce, and those who wait will lose out.

What Successful Shops Are Doing

• Planning their staffing needs 6 to 12 months in advance, rather than waiting until a position has been vacant for three months.
• Recruiting candidates who speak French.
• Retaining their current employees through training, flexible schedules, and assistance with administrative procedures.
• Preparing a strong application from the outset to obtain authorization to hire foreign workers through a Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA).

An unfilled position means empty service bays, customers turned away, and opportunities handed to competitors.

Regulations are changing quickly. Have your application reviewed before hiring or renewing a work permit.

Your next hire starts taking shape today.

For more information, contact Karim Mouldi at 514-849-5656.

Photo by Kate Ibragimova