Estimated to be as many as 300 international workers on the Sunshine Coast may lose their ability to stay in 2026 as work permits expire. Communities across Canada are still waiting for updated federal information, leaving families and employers unsure about what happens next.

The Sunshine Coast is rural and ferry-dependent, and it’s extremely difficult to recruit locally for many roles. International workers support essential services, including: (but not limited to) • Retail Grocery • Food services • Childcare • Hospitality • Healthcare support • Construction & trades If long-term staff must leave, the community will face reduced hours, closures, delays, and increased strain on seniors and families.

An estimated 300 workers and their families that also work — many who have lived here for years, built friendships, volunteered, and became part of the community. These are not temporary faces; they are neighbors.

Sectors hit the hardest. Retail & Grocery Stocking delays Reduced customer service capacity Shorter hours of operation Restaurants & Food Service Menu reductions Shorter opening hours Increased risk of shutdowns during peak periods Hospitality & Tourism Reduced operating hours or seasonal closures Longer wait times, fewer available rooms, reduced service quality Higher burnout among remaining staff Construction & Trades Project delays Higher labor costs Contractors turning down jobs due to lack of manpower Care Homes & Support Services Reduced capacity for seniors Increased waitlists Higher stress on remaining caregivers Business-Level Consequences We’re the good guys! Increased turnover as Canadian workers avoid high-pressure, understaffed workplaces Decline in customer satisfaction and increase in community frustration Risk of permanent closures, especially for small family-run businesses Community-Wide Effects Reduced availability of essential services (childcare, seniors care, food services) Higher cost of living as businesses raise prices to cope with labour shortages Slower economic growth and fewer new business investments Strain on local events and tourism, which rely heavily on seasonal and TFW labour

For a region the size of the Sunshine Coast, losing an approximate 300 workers is equivalent to losing an entire workforce segment. Most local businesses operate with fewer than 20 employees — losing even 1–3 workers can destabilize them. Losing more or less than 300 workers across the region creates a system-wide labour shock — a catastrophic blow to the Sunshine Coast economy.

A rural designation is a government classification for communities that are geographically isolated, less densely populated, or harder to access. For the Sunshine Coast, being ferry-dependent and separated from the rest of B.C. means a rural designation could help reflect: • Transportation barriers created by ferry reliance • Limited access to health care and emergency services • Higher costs of living and supply-chain challenges • Infrastructure and housing pressures • Workforce shortages across essential sectors • Immigration realities for International Foreign Workers, who often face extra barriers in remote or hard-to-access regions (limited transit, fewer settlement supports, and challenges meeting federal program requirements designed for urban areas)

Here’s how residents can make a meaningful difference: • Reach out to your leaders to urge them to support a rural designation for the Sunshine Coast so immigration policies reflect our unique realities. • Share this message with neighbours, coworkers, and community groups to build awareness and momentum. • Stand with International Workers who have supported our cafés, restaurants, hardware stores, healthcare facilities, and local businesses. • Support advocacy efforts calling for fair, practical pathways that protect both workers and the services we rely on. • Stay informed — updates will be posted on our Keep Families Together SC page.