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For years, the agri-food company relied on temporary foreign workers to fill ongoing labour shortages in facilities around Alberta. Most obtained permanent residence and stayed.

But the flow of migrant workers has slowed after a series of restrictions enacted between 2011 and 2014 on how employers can use the Temporary Foreign Worker Program.

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Meat packers aren’t the only ones hurting.

From the ski slopes of Whistler in the West to the shores of the Bay of Fundy in the East, Canadian businesses say they are desperately looking for employees and blame restrictions on the temporary foreign workers for costing the national economy jobs, productivity and revenue.

Their complaints prompted the federal government to conduct a spring review of the program, which is expected to be tabled when Parliament opens this month, along with proposed reforms.

Businesses eagerly await change. Some speak as though the current state of affairs could lead to crisis.

As the government deliberates over the issue, technology companies warn they risk losing projects to global competition; hotel managers worry their housekeepers have too many beds to make; and agricultural producers are throwing food in the trash.

“We want to be sure that we’re working with the companies so that they can find Canadians to take those opportunities if they wish to take them,” said federal Labour Minister MaryAnn Mihychuk in an interview.

“If they can’t find that workforce, then they must have access to temporary foreign workers.”