It’s time for businesses, municipalities and governments to work together to solve the labour shortage that a large number of Alberta communities are experiencing, including here in Barrhead.
For many years, since 2002, many Alberta businesses have come to rely on the Temporary Foreign Worker Program (TFWP). Before 2002, the TFW only allowed skilled workers, seasonal agricultural workers and live-in caregivers to come as part of the program.
In June 2014 the federal government announced changes to is controversial TWFP, limiting the number of foreign workers a business can have and the criteria for accessing the program.
The changes, in large part, were due to reports that a number of businesses were abusing the program.
Which is not a huge surprise, according to the government’s own numbers, not a single government worker was tasked in monitoring the program, despite the fact there were about 200 federal employees who processed the applications.
Whether if you agree with the TFWP or the changes the federal government has made to the program, one thing is clear – businesses and communities will have to start weaning themselves off their dependency on the TFWP.
In recent weeks, many Barrhead town councillors have talked about how recreational facilities are an essential service. Having facilities such as the Agrena, the curling rink, and yes perhaps one day even a new aquatic centre not only keep residents in the area, but attract workers as well.
The truth of the matter is, while these things are nice, they play only a small part in attracting workers who are willing to do the jobs that need filling.
One of the unfortunate consequences of expanding the TFWP in 2002 to include non-skilled workers was to suppress wages. Before 2002, many businesses in the fast food or service industry in northern B.C. and Alberta, in oil country, were paying wages of $16 to $20 to attract workers. Today, workers in those industries are lucky to make $14. Add in the large increases to the cost of living, because of a booming Alberta economy, it is no wonder communities are having a hard time attracting workers from other parts of Canada.
Admittedly, there is not a lot a community like Barrhead can do, however there are a few things they could try.
Increase the amount of affordable housing units by changing bylaws and regulations to making it easier for people to have secondary suites. Eliminating rental restrictions, such as no pets or children which make it harder for families to find suitable housing.
In the scheme of things, these changes may be small, but without the TFWP communities have to do everything they can to attract Canadian workers.
