In our opinion, the restrictions imposed on the temporary foreign worker program jeopardize the productivity and growth of businesses that, as you obviously know, are struggling with a shortage of skilled labour. This shortage undermines the competitiveness of our economy and our regions in particular. Businesses need access to these workers. We have estimated that 106,000 foreign skilled workers are needed to meet the demand.
We believe that the federal government must reconsider all of the measures it has taken in this case because they threaten critical expertise. These temporary foreign workers generate several million dollars in economic spinoffs, which ultimately support our growth. That is worth protecting through a moratorium on the program restrictions.
For several months, that is what we have been calling for from both levels of government, the federal and the Government of Quebec. Recently we have felt the Government of Quebec to be much more open about this issue. We are now waiting for action from the federal government.