by: Stephane Massinon
While large Canadian cities tackle the issue of illegal workers, some Nova Scotian businesses say it's not an issue here. In fact, their focus is trying to encourage more immigrants to come here. Yesterday, a front page Globe and Mail story revealed that the federal government will not give amnesty to illegal workers. It said there are an estimated 200,000 illegal workers in the country, many in the construction industry. "I know in larger cities like Toronto and in American cities it's a tremendous challenge, but for us we haven't had anything," said Paul Pettipas, CEO of the Nova Scotia Home Builders Association. With comparatively low immigration numbers, he said immigration is where his association is focusing its attention.They're not alone. Local restaurant owners are starting to feel the crunch of a skilled labour shortage. "In the past six months, it's turning into a crisis here. It's at all levels. In Atlantic Canada, in the whole country, it started first with cooks, kitchen staff, but it's all areas of the industry now are starting to feel the brunt of a labour shortage," said Luc Erjavec, Atlantic vice-president for the Canadian Restaurant and Food Services Association.
In a recent pre-budget finance committee presentation, Pettipas said more must be done to bring immigrants - and therefore more skilled labour - to the province. He said skilled labour workers should be given additional points when applying for citizenship. Pettipas also favours temporary work permits. A spokeswoman from the federal Citizenship and Immigration Department said it is difficult to track the numbers of illegal workers - given the fact they don't have the required paperwork -and couldn't speculate on how many there could be in Nova Scotia. As for illegal workers, Erjavec said they're not a problem in this part of the country. "Gosh, to be honest, I can't say I've ever run across one," said Erjavec. "I really don't think that's an issue here.It might be, maybe, with farming community with pickers. I know they're always bringing in people from Barbados. I don't know how many of them would be illegal." Like Pettipas, he supports making it easier for immigrants to come to the area. One way that could happen, he said, would be to be able to apply for citizenship while working on a temporary permit.
While large Canadian cities tackle the issue of illegal workers, some Nova Scotian businesses say it's not an issue here. In fact, their focus is trying to encourage more immigrants to come here. Yesterday, a front page Globe and Mail story revealed that the federal government will not give amnesty to illegal workers. It said there are an estimated 200,000 illegal workers in the country, many in the construction industry. "I know in larger cities like Toronto and in American cities it's a tremendous challenge, but for us we haven't had anything," said Paul Pettipas, CEO of the Nova Scotia Home Builders Association. With comparatively low immigration numbers, he said immigration is where his association is focusing its attention.They're not alone. Local restaurant owners are starting to feel the crunch of a skilled labour shortage. "In the past six months, it's turning into a crisis here. It's at all levels. In Atlantic Canada, in the whole country, it started first with cooks, kitchen staff, but it's all areas of the industry now are starting to feel the brunt of a labour shortage," said Luc Erjavec, Atlantic vice-president for the Canadian Restaurant and Food Services Association.
In a recent pre-budget finance committee presentation, Pettipas said more must be done to bring immigrants - and therefore more skilled labour - to the province. He said skilled labour workers should be given additional points when applying for citizenship. Pettipas also favours temporary work permits. A spokeswoman from the federal Citizenship and Immigration Department said it is difficult to track the numbers of illegal workers - given the fact they don't have the required paperwork -and couldn't speculate on how many there could be in Nova Scotia. As for illegal workers, Erjavec said they're not a problem in this part of the country. "Gosh, to be honest, I can't say I've ever run across one," said Erjavec. "I really don't think that's an issue here.It might be, maybe, with farming community with pickers. I know they're always bringing in people from Barbados. I don't know how many of them would be illegal." Like Pettipas, he supports making it easier for immigrants to come to the area. One way that could happen, he said, would be to be able to apply for citizenship while working on a temporary permit.
