Foreign worker approvals have surged dramatically across the country since 2020, according to newly released federal data.

The response to Conservative MP Arnold Viersen's Order Paper Question Q-372 shows that approvals for foreign nationals have increased sharply in every region of Canada, with some provinces experiencing unprecedented growth. Since 2020, approvals have:

• More than doubled in Ontario
• Tripled in Quebec
• Nearly quadrupled in Alberta, Saskatchewan and Newfoundland
• Quintupled in Manitoba

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The data also shows significant growth in approvals for low-skill and entry-level occupations.

According to the government’s figures, approvals were issued in 2024 for positions such as cashiers, shelf stockers, delivery drivers, hotel front-desk clerks, bartenders, pet groomers, taxi and limo drivers, couriers, gas-station attendants and dancers.

For 2024 alone, the government approved:

• 319 shelf stockers
• 270 delivery drivers
• 251 hotel clerks
• 108 fitness instructors
• 92 outdoor guides
• 323 receptionists
• 42 security guards
• The government also approved foreign-worker positions for educators in 2024, including:
• 105 elementary school teachers
• 82 high-school teachers

Only one application in the elementary-teaching category and one in the secondary-teaching category were denied.

Since 2020, just two applications in the category of “actors, comedians and circus performers” have been refused, according to the government’s records.