Canada Employment News for Immigrants

Opportunity is missed by most people because it is dressed in overalls and looks like work. - Thomas Edison

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.

New Brunswick Minimum Wage Going Up

Effective January 5, 2007, the minimum wage rate increased from $6.70 per hour to $7. The rate will go up again on July 1, 2007, to $7.25.

Nova Scotia Committee Recommends Raising Minimum Wage

The province’s Minimum Wage Review Committee is recommending that the government raise the minimum wage from $7.15 per hour to $7.60, effective April 1, 2006.

The committee reviews the minimum wage each year. The minister of Environment and Labour has until early March to decide whether or not to implement the recommendation.