191,000 construction workers WANTED!
The Canadian Construction Association is lobbying the federal
government to introduce meaningful immigration reform that would make it
easier for construction workers to come to Canada on a permanent,
temporary and seasonal basis.
The construction industry is facing unprecedented demand for labour.
According to the Construction Sector Council, between 2005 and 2014,
approximately 150,000 people will be needed to meet impending retirements.
Between 2005 and 2010, another 41,000 workers will be needed to meet
expected demand.
In the past, the Canadian Construction Association (CCA) has worked to
increase the domestic supply of labour — including promoting the industry
to youth, reaching out to underrepresented groups such as women and
aboriginals, improving inter-provincial labour mobility and lobbying for
tax incentives to support apprenticeship training.
However, in the face of unprecedented industry growth and long-term demand
for labour, the CCA is calling on the federal government to introduce
changes to the immigration system that will make it easier for
construction workers to come to Canada on both a temporary and permanent
basis.
"Although aggressive efforts by all industry players must continue in
order to recruit Canadians to the construction industry, the fact remains
that immigration policy must play a bigger role in meeting future labour
demand," stated Michael Atkinson, president of the CCA.
In an open letter to Prime Minister Harper, the CCA made the following
recommendations:
Canada needs to adopt a proactive immigration policy that will target
individuals with needed skills, and expedite their entry.
