The changes made to the Temporary Foreign Worker Program are hindering business across Canada.

That's according to the Canadian Federation of Independent Business. Manitoba's Provincial Affairs Director Elliot Sims says in many cases there aren't any Canadians that are willing to do the lower skill set positions.

"The only way to get those jobs done in the past has been to bring in temporary foreign workers that are more than happy to take on those positions. Unfortunately the previous government closed that door for the vast majority of businesses through a number of changes tot he regulations around it, and that has really hampered businesses in many areas of the country, including in Manitoba. Where temporary foreign workers have been a vital lifeline to keep businesses open."

Sims says many farms around Portage use the Season Agricultural Foreign Worker Program, which wasn't affected as bad by the changes.

"Changes to those programs weren't as severe as they have been to temporary foreign workers in other sectors such as hotel cleaners, fast food restaurants, and manufacturing plants etc. In Manitoba, what we know is that the impact has been more in Northern Manitoba particularly where there are higher unemployment rates, and therefore the program was completely shut out for those industries."

He's hopeful the new federal government will look into changing the regulations.