Across Manitoba’s small towns and farming hubs, the buzz isn’t about harvests this fall, it’s about immigration changes. As Prime Minister Mark Carney’s government prepares to cut the number of temporary foreign workers, rural employers are growing anxious. For them, this isn’t just a policy adjustment, it’s a question of survival.

For years, rural industries like agriculture, healthcare, and skilled trades have relied heavily on immigrants to keep operations running. With fewer workers expected under new federal immigration plans, communities already short-staffed now fear their economic backbone could weaken even further.

What’s Changing in Canada’s Immigration Policy

In September, the federal government announced it will reduce the combined number of temporary foreign workers (TFWs) and international students to below 5% of Canada’s population by 2027,  a steep drop from 7.3% in 2024.

The goal is to make immigration more “focused” and “sustainable.” But for employers in Manitoba, where skilled trades and agricultural jobs already go unfilled for months, the move has sparked deep concern.

The Canadian immigration changes are designed to balance population growth with housing, infrastructure, and public service pressures. However, industries that depend on immigrant talent argue the approach risks leaving rural regions behind.

The Voices from Rural Manitoba

1. Mazergroup’s Struggle to Find Skilled Technicians

Courtney Matienzo, a talent acquisition specialist with Mazergroup, says recruiting for rural dealerships has become nearly impossible.

“We’re still struggling to find service technicians,” she explained. “Hiring for our rural locations can take months. Without support through the Temporary Foreign Worker Program, we’re left short-handed.”

Mazergroup employs more than 425 workers across Manitoba and Saskatchewan, including several foreign hires who play key roles in keeping equipment running for farmers. Matienzo believes the Canadian immigration changes could make it harder for small employers to survive in already stretched labour markets.

2. Brandon Businesses Brace for the Impact

Jennifer Ludwig, President of the Brandon Chamber of Commerce, says labour shortages are now the number one issue facing employers. Her pharmacy chain, Super Thrifty Drugs, has had rural positions, including pharmacist roles, vacant for over a year.

“We’ve managed to fill some roles with international graduates who met Canadian licensing requirements. They’ve been a blessing,” Ludwig said.
“But a blanket cut to immigration doesn’t make sense for communities like ours.” She advocates for regional policies that reflect the different realities of rural and urban Canada.

3. Local Governments Urge Balance

Samuel Solomon, Immigration and Workforce Development Specialist for the City of Brandon, says programs like the Rural and Northern Immigration Pilot (RNIP) and Manitoba Provincial Nominee Program (MPNP) have been lifelines for rural economies.

“We’ve brought physicians, engineers, and tradespeople who now call Brandon home,” Solomon said. “We need these programs to stay strong.” He adds that collaboration between federal and provincial immigration departments is essential to ensure that future changes do not cut off talent pipelines to smaller communities.

The Bigger Picture: Manitoba’s Labour Crunch

The agriculture sector alone is projected to face a 15% labour gap by 2030, according to a 2024 federal report. That shortage extends far beyond farms, from construction to healthcare to manufacturing, creating ripple effects throughout the economy.

Each unfilled job delays growth, increases costs, and forces small towns to depend on fewer workers shouldering more work, leading to burnout and slower service.

What Rural Manitoba Wants to See

Local employers are not asking for open borders they’re asking for clarity, speed, and fairness in immigration programs.

• Streamlined Labour Market Impact Assessments (LMIAs) to reduce long approval times.
• Protection for rural job categories (like heavy-duty mechanics and agricultural technicians) under the Temporary Foreign Worker Program.
• Flexible regional quotas that allow smaller cities to meet unique workforce needs.
• Better communication on upcoming immigration changes to avoid uncertainty for employers and applicants alike.

As Mazergroup VP Karen MacDonald puts it:

“When rural businesses can’t fill positions, it’s not just the company that suffers it’s the farmer, the customer, and the entire community.”

Why Immigration Still Matters for Rural Growth

Immigrants are not just workers; they’re future citizens who build communities. In Manitoba, newcomers have opened small businesses, filled essential healthcare roles, and revitalized towns losing population to urban centres.

The Canadian immigration changes might aim for sustainability, but policymakers must remember that rural sustainability depends on immigration. Without access to international talent, small towns risk losing their vitality and Canada risks losing a key driver of its economic diversity.

Immigration Reform Must Include Rural Voices

As Ottawa redefines immigration targets, it must ensure that rural and regional employers don’t become casualties of the policy shift. The strength of Canada’s economy lies not only in its major cities but also in its vast heartland, where farms, factories, and families rely on steady, skilled hands. For Manitoba, the message is simple: balance national priorities with local realities.
If immigration is to remain a tool for growth, it must continue to serve every corner of the country.