Local tourism officials are disappointed that recent federal government changes to the controversial temporary foreign worker program failed to deal with challenges faced by the tourism industry.
Officials with Banff Lake Louise Hospitality Association say they embrace many government changes to improve the program, but add some tourism industry concerns have not been addressed.
Darren Reeder, the group’s executive director, said they are seeking a meeting with Minister of Employment, Workforce Development and Labour Patty Hajdu to present evidence of Banff’s current labour market challenges and work the group has done to connect unemployed and under-represented Canadians to jobs here.
Of particular concern, said Reeder, was no mention of labour market distortions that occur under the current regional classification system.
“For Banff and Lake Louise specifically, this continues to greatly overstate the real rate of unemployment for our immediate Banff-Lake Louise labour market compared to that of our economic region, which includes communities seven to eight hours north of us that are primarily agricultural and resource-based,” he said.
“In reality, the Banff and Lake Louise labour market operates at near full employment.”
The 2017 budget sets aside $279.8 million over five years, starting in 2017-18, and $49.8 million per year thereafter, to support continued delivery and improvement of the temporary foreign worker program and the international mobility program.
Recently, the feds announced plans for new requirements for employers seeking to hire foreign workers, including ensuring Canadians have first opportunity at available jobs.
As well, employers will be required to do more to recruit Canadians, particularly those typically under-represented in the workforce, like youth, newcomers, women, Indigenous people and people with disabilities.
Onsite inspections of workplaces that employ foreign workers will be increased.
The government based its decision on many of the recommendations of a standing committee on human resources, skills and social development and the status of persons with disabilities report tabled last September.
Reeder said BLLHA embraces the government’s message to make more efforts to connect with underemployed and underrepresented Canadians.
“Our Banff-Lake Louise partners fully support and agree with the notion of a Canadian-first workforce,” he said.
“We have, and will continue, to work diligently to connect with more Canadians, including sustained efforts on labour force development partnership struck with indigenous partners over the past year.”
