Naturally, I have a lot of examples to share. This issue is a concern to people in our region, not only immigrants but also entrepreneurs and the general public as well. Entrepreneurs call me. I can hear their despair. I can hear the bewilderment, fear, and above all, the distress of these immigrants, who have become our friends. Teams get formed. These people become part of the workplace and the community.
Over the decades, entrepreneurs have built up their family businesses and strived to come up with innovative solutions in response to the region's labour shortages. In recent years, their solution has been to take in immigrants through this program. Immigrants are the ones who make it possible to serve the population and offer it services.
Unless the program changes, these entrepreneurs will face difficult choices. They may cut services or hours of operation, or even shut down permanently.
I talked about the 10% federal ceiling on low-wage jobs, but we mustn’t forget that 80% of the local population are also affected by these changes. If service hours are cut, the local population and customers of these businesses will also feel it. It really has a snowball effect.
Despite all the efforts that entrepreneurs are making to properly receive immigrants, the rug is being pulled out from under their feet. Entrepreneurs have no other solution. Where we live, there is none. We don’t have a labour pool. It’s our only solution. That’s the really sad part.
Take the example of La Promenade restaurant. I hope the owners get a chance to speak with you. It’s the only restaurant in Minganie that offers three meals a day and stays open seven days a week. It has served the local population, tourists and workers in our industries for 40 years. Today, we found out that if the announced change goes through, this restaurant will have to cut its hours of operation. That's a real tragedy and it affects real people. I want to make that point clear.
There’s also the Chez Julie restaurant and our grocery store. All of these people have called me to voice their despair.