There are glaring needs because of the labour shortage, and this is particularly true in a region like mine, where we have lived with this labour shortage for 15 years. From what I see on your website, the processing time for LMIA applications is 53 business days. That is practically three months.
These processing times are in addition to the risk an entrepreneur takes by looking for international solutions. From what I have learned from meetings with several of these entrepreneurs, it is sometimes necessary to invest $10,000 or $15,000 to hire a single foreign worker. As well, there are a lot of risks involved. There is obviously no guarantee, and the need to produce an LMIA causes additional delays.
It is no longer necessary to prove that when you post a help wanted notice in a restaurant, in agriculture, in mining or in numerous other fields, there are no applicants. This is really a major problem and we are realizing that in many cases, the waiting times pile up.
I will add that for francophones, there seems to be a labour shortage even within the department responsible for producing the LMIAs. Waiting times are significant.
Mr. Bates, if you are not able to produce LMIAs within the times published on your website and in your publications, what alternative do companies have?
There are even cases in my riding where applications have been rejected because the LMIA was not received on time.
What is the situation regarding the service given to businesses at present? Are there backlogs?