Ontario wants more immigration to help food industry

On November 4, 2008 · 2 Comments

The Ontario food industry has been lobbying the provincial government to allow them to bring more foreign workers to Canada on work permits.

“We need to stop saying all we need is engineers and doctors,” said Justin Taylor, vice-president for labor and taxation at the Canadian Restaurant and Foodservices Association (CRFA). “We don’t need doctors working in quick-service restaurants.”

According to Taylor, 38 percent of restaurants and fast-food places couldn’t fill positions during the summer of 2008.

Two years ago, the CRFA told the federal government that immigration was vital in rescuing the CAD $50 billion food service industry.

Among the recommendations in their report were training temporary workers already in Canada, working on an immigration policy aimed at labor shortages, and increasing the number of temporary foreign workers.

The Canadian government has recognized that there are skills shortages, and that immigration can play a large role in dealing with these shortages.

One such recent attempt is the new Canadian Experience Class, which allows certain temporary workers and foreign graduates of Canadian universities to live in Canada permanently.

In addition, new immigration changes were announced recently that give the immigration minister more powers to fast-track applications for skilled immigration for people who possess skills that Canada needs the most.

Related posts:

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  2. Immigration levels could take hit
  3. Canada plans to admit more foreign students
  4. Immigration Programs >
  5. Ontario proposes changes to get foreign doctors working sooner
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  • Marie

    Well if you are a student you go do like me, go on a programm that help you have a job abroad and study English. This was a great experience, and the cost wasn’t that much since we earned money after during the work placement. This is a good idea to put language courses before because we can speak and communicate with others at the job and we have better employment opportunity. My job was in a resort and I had to take care of the newcomers customers, showing them around and everything, I really enjoyed it, and the visa was not that hard to get (perhaps because I’m from an EU country). All in all it was a great experience and I really hope I will be able to come back to Canada. Unfortunately thsi was only temporary work but I hope this will help with my resume later!

  • MGuruX

    Thanks for your comments Marie…

    It is true that there are many programs that will give you a first row opportunity to interact and gain experience in Canada. Also, you’re right about being from the EU could had help you get the visa. For some countries, the restrictions are incredible (Latin American countries as an example).

    It seems that you enjoyed your stay here in Canada. Good luck in your journey and once again, thanks for sharing!