Small businesses across Saskatchewan, like Cristina Bohn's cleaning service in Estevan and the Crossroads Inn in Stoughton, are facing significant labor shortages, exacerbated by federal caps on temporary foreign workers (TFWs). Bohn, who has experienced 22% annual growth since 2017 and plans to expand, requires 10 new staff members but faces a lengthy application process for TFWs, whose permits are set to expire, potentially impacting productivity. The Canadian Federation of Independent Business (CFIB) highlights that over 1.3 million TFW permits expire by year-end, necessitating retraining and causing massive productivity hits. While a 10% cap on low-wage TFWs was implemented in 2024 to prioritize domestic workers, it will increase to 15% for eligible rural employers until March 31, 2027, a measure some, like former Crossroads Inn owner Christine White, argue is still insufficient for rural businesses struggling to survive.