Temporary foreign worker at Yellowknife's A&W hopeful he'll find work after restaurant closure

The imminent closure of Yellowknife's A&W created a wave of upset through the city last week, but for some of its employees the closure means much more. 

The restaurant, which has been open for two decades, recently announced it would close at the end of December. 

A&W in Yellowknife has employed temporary foreign workers for years, and with the restaurant set to close, their futures in Canada could now be in limbo.

Elmer Lagman is A&W's food service supervisor. He arrived in Yellowknife in 2021 through Canada's Temporary Foreign Worker program. Because he still hasn't received his permanent residency, he must find a new job before his work permit expires late next year, or he risks having to leave the country.

"I'm in the process of looking for another employer to transfer my nomination from [the Northwest Territories Nominee Program] so that I can still continue working," he said. "I still have a work permit till like next year, so I think it'll be good."

Originally from the Philippines, Lagman came to Yellowknife after nine years in Kuwait to build a better life for himself and his wife. He said his journey to Canada resulted from years of planning, saving, and waiting.

"You have to have good savings if you want to go to Canada because employers don't shoulder everything," Lagman said. "You have to pay fees, government fees, agency fees. It's a long process."

He said the waiting game lasted two years for him and cost him around $14,000 to $17,000.

Lagman's current work permit is tied to his employer, A&W. When he finds a new job, he must also find an employer who will transfer his nomination under the Northwest Territories Nominee Program. 

"If my work permit expires and I still don't get permanent residency, I might have to leave," he said. "But I know that immigration and NTNP here in Yellowknife are doing their best to help."

Lagman says his employers at the restaurant are also doing what they can to help. A&W co-owner Todd Stewart said he is working hard to support employees like Lagman through the transition.

"We have sponsored and helped lots of temporary foreign workers find employment in Canada," he said. "And then we've also assisted in many of them applying for the permanent residencies."

"We think everyone with us right now will land on their feet and find jobs in Yellowknife."

Lagman said he has already applied for permanent residency and is awaiting approval. In the meantime, he is already in talks with another employer, so he's confident he'll find a job before the end of the month. 

Regardless of his current situation, he says he doesn't regret coming to Canada through the program.

"Canada is one of the best countries in the world," he said. "Honestly, I've been to a lot of countries, but I think Canada is one of the best countries in the world."

Lagman also credited Canada's Temporary Foreign Worker program for giving him and his family a chance at a better life. He said the program remains an important pathway for immigrants dreaming of coming to Canada for a more hopeful future. 

"In a third world country, like ours, it's really hard to dream of something," he said. "Especially if you're in the middle class, you have to work really, really hard. Same here, but here you have a lot of opportunities. That's the best thing about Canada."

Lagman said he'll miss the regular customers and their familiar faces as the restaurant prepares to shut its doors.

"They're all sad that A&W is gonna close," he said. "I don't know what's gonna happen someday, but hopefully, there'll be [another] A&W, hopefully by next year."