Changes made to the Temporary Foreign Workers Program (TFWP) by Ottawa could have consequences for the local economy, says Drumheller Chamber of Commerce President.
Near the end of April, Jason Kenney, Minister of Employment, placed a moratorium on the program as it relates to the fast food industry. This was to address possible abuses to the program.
Federal Minister of Employment Jason Kenney has placed a freeze on the food industry's use of temporary foreign workers.
“Our Government has been clear: Canadians must have the first chance at available jobs. We have repeatedly warned employers that the Temporary Foreign Worker Program must only be used as a last and limited resort when Canadians are not available,” he said in a written statement.
Kenney said in recent weeks he has heard allegations of abuse of the system. He directed officials to investigate.
“Despite these actions, there remain serious concerns regarding the use of the Temporary Foreign Worker Program in the Food Services Sector," he stated. “As a result, I am announcing an immediate moratorium on the Food Services Sector’s access to the Temporary Foreign Worker Program. Accordingly, ESDC will not process any new or pending LMO applications related to the Food Services Sector. In addition, any unfilled positions tied to a previously approved LMO will be suspended. This moratorium will remain in effect until the completion of the on-going review of the Temporary Foreign Worker Program.”
John Shoff, president of the Drumheller and District Chamber of Commerce said he is hoping to hear from the Alberta Chamber of Commerce Policy Group for more information because they have been working on this as an issue.
“Obviously this isn’t good for us. In all honesty it has to do with politics down East and we are getting dragged into it,” said Shoff. “I don’t think the program is abused so much that it should be disabled.”
He said, while he is not in the fast food industry he has trouble staffing his business. He says already businesses in Drumheller struggle because of the difficulty in hiring staff.
“If you go through the difficulty of hiring foreign workers, it really doesn’t save your business money. It is a means to an end to fill an employment position,” said Shoff.
“I don’t see it as a way to get wages lower.”
Over the last few years the Filipino community in Drumheller has grown and many are employed in the service sector. Bernard Fernando, the vice president of the Drumheller Filipino community says about 25 per cent of the community are using the Temporary Foreign Workers Program.
He says the affect reaches beyond the community.
“It is not just the Filipino community, there are also some Jamaicans, some from Barbados and some from the East Indies, so a bunch of nationalities,” he said.
He says the moratorium affects more than just new applicants.
“It’s not only those who are coming from the Philippines, but also those who are already here and whose work permit may be expiring, or if their work permit is being processed. Those people trying to renew their work permit, this is going to be a tough situation,” said Fernando.
In his experience, he says employers in Drumheller have used the program responsibly and are fair to their employees.
He says he trusts the government to make the appropriate revisions to the program.
“The government knows better than we do. They know the law and how this has to be handled properly,” he said. “Whatever their decisions are, for now we respect that… we know they are trying to make it right so it will be a win-win scenario, not only for the foreign workers, but Canadian citizens and for the benefit of the employers.”
