The program offers the workers no option to become permanent Canadian residents. Indeed, preference is given to married workers as spouses and children are viewed as a guarantee that the worker will return to Mexico. Still, perhaps 15 % fail to return home. After 5 years in the guestworker program, the number climbs to 50 %. One old Canadian problem is not enough people for its home market. It certainly does have room for immigrants.

Some 252,000 Mexican immigrants arrived in Canada between July 2000 and June 2001, pushing the population to 31.1 million with 12 million in Ontario.

Canada admitted 227,400 immigrants in 2000, including 118,000 skilled workers (including families); 30,000 refugees; 6,200 entrepreneurs; and 2,500 self-employed. Some 1,200 foreign entrepreneurs invested $184 million in Canada in 2000 under the Business Immigration Program in return for immigrant status.

The Canadian Mexican Guest Worker program is being heralded by Mexican officials as a model for a newly proposed US guest worker program. One guest worker from Hidalgo reported earning $15,000 during the 8 months he worked.