Citizenship and Immigration Committee on April 21st, 2021

[Geoff Regan, Liberal, Halifax West, NS]

Mr. Banville.

[Louis Banville]

I find Ms. Nord's idea really interesting.

For us, it is all about increasing the percentage, because our needs are great. However, for adjustment overall, we're in favour of a regional balance, that is, the percentage should be adjusted based on a study of variations from one region to another. Some places don't need to use temporary foreign workers because Canadians can be hired. I gave the example of Alberta earlier. In other areas, like New Brunswick and Quebec, it's very difficult for us.

In my opinion, 20% is a minimum rate. If we want to manage it intelligently and with respect for Canadians seeking work, we need to adjust it to the various labour situations across Canada.

[Geoff Regan, Liberal, Halifax West, NS]

Since Mr. Banville mentioned a couple of Atlantic provinces, I'll ask this of Restaurants Canada. I won't guess which one of you will answer.

The Atlantic immigration pilot, as you probably know, makes some specialized adjustments to ease processing for workers and for employers. For example, there's the designated employer benefit to be exempt of the labour market impact assessment. Of course, for workers, spouses are able to apply for open work permits in more of the national occupational classification codes.

If the government is to embark on developing other region-specific immigration programs, should it follow the same approach?

[Lauren van den Berg]

The short answer is absolutely yes. The Atlantic immigration pilot program was a phenomenal success by almost any metric. Our operators in the region were positively thrilled about it—about the outcome, about the relative ease with which they were able to access that enthusiastic skilled labour, and about the enthusiasm with which they often stayed on, as long as they could, to work those permanent pathways. We've been asking for a good long time for similar programs—

[The Chair, Liberal, Salma Zahid]

I'm sorry for interrupting, Ms. van den Berg. The time is up. You may send in a written submission if you don't get the opportunity to talk about some of the issues you wanted to raise today.

We will proceed to Madam Normandin for her round of questioning.

You have two minutes.

[Christine Normandin, Bloc, Saint-Jean, QC]

Thank you very much, Madam Chair.

My question is for whomever wants to answer and it has to do with work permit flexibility.

A closed work permit allows an individual to work for a specific employer and in a specific position. That type of permit doesn't allow the company to move a worker from one franchise to another or to promote the worker. Yet if a worker were to become more qualified, it could make it easier for them to become a permanent resident.

Should work permits be made more flexible, allowing holders to work in certain types of jobs or in certain regions, for example?

[Isabelle Leblond]

I will jump in here.

As Mr. Banville said, under our collective agreements, our foreign workers have the same rights as any Canadian worker. It's not true that in our collective agreements, positions are segregated according to the National Occupational Classification system as they are in the TFWP. Some of our foreign workers are perfectly qualified to work as supervisors, electromechanics or welders, but we can't assign them to those positions.

Ideally, we need to find a mechanism that provides some flexibility in that respect. I also understand the need for guidelines. In the event of a major shortage, if the percentage assigned no longer meets needs, I'm sure that it would be an asset if companies like ours could move these workers to a similar job within the same company

[Olivier Bourbeau]

I would add the following flexibility: if an employer and employee agree to change the employee's duties, it would have to be accepted.

[Christine Normandin, Bloc, Saint-Jean, QC]

Thank you.

Ms. Nord, would you like to add anything?

[Leah Nord]

The agreement in that is key, because the employer who brings in the employee or employees bears a burden for all of those administrative costs. I know that this has been brought up before, and I get that there are issues toward being tied to a singular employer, but if you come in bearing the cost, and no sooner does someone arrive than they've jumped somewhere else, that's problematic. That's an important caveat.

[The Chair, Liberal, Salma Zahid]

I'm sorry for interrupting, Ms. Nord. The time is up.

We will end our round of questioning with Mr. Davies.

Mr. Davies, you have two minutes, please.

[Don Davies, NDP, Vancouver Kingsway, BC]

Thank you, Madam Chair.

I don't know who would want to answer this. My mind is going to the very significant issue of housing. We know that there's clearly a serious affordable housing crisis in this country right now. We know that the federal and provincial governments work together to regulate the housing of temporary foreign workers.

I have two questions. One, what suggestions would you give the government to ensure that we can actually find appropriate affordable housing? Two, is there any issue with healthy housing right now, given the COVID pandemic, that is unique to the situation now?

[Leah Nord]

The answer is yes and yes. Housing is a critical issue across a number of sectors. There is currently a consultation. Our members take it very seriously. We take very seriously what has happened through the crisis as well. It is a big wake-up call and it has to go hand in glove with anything going forward.

Thank you.

[Don Davies, NDP, Vancouver Kingsway, BC]

Being from the Lower Mainland, I hear from employers all the time that they can't attract and retain people, because the people simply can't afford to live there. Leaving aside the labour market issue, you have a livability issue.

To any of the other sectors here, do you have specific solutions to offer for how we can develop appropriate housing in the regions or sectors you represent?

[Louis Banville]

I will jump in and answer that question.

The housing aspect is fundamental. The program will always need to ensure that housing is comfortable, sanitary and in good condition. You must make sure you meet a standard in that regard. These are human beings who come from very far away and need to be in a proper place.

We have a team looking for housing for foreign workers. One of the problems—

[The Chair, Liberal, Salma Zahid]

Mr. Banville, I'm sorry for interrupting, but the time is up.

With this, our panel for today comes to an end.

I would like to take a moment to thank all our witnesses for appearing before the committee and providing their important input as we continue our study on the labour market impact assessment under the temporary foreign workers program.

If there was something you were not able to raise today, you can always send a written submission to the committee. We will take it into consideration when we compile the report on this study.

The meeting is adjourned.