Amid worker shortage, business groups call on Ottawa to expand jobs programs in pre-election budget

OTTAWA — Business groups are calling on the government to expand jobs-related programs in the upcoming federal budget, as a persistent labour shortage in Canada has made it difficult for companies to hire skilled workers.

Even amid international trade wars and competitiveness concerns in Canada, hiring remains a top concern for businesses of all sizes — a worry that Morneau could seize upon in his crucial pre-election budget. “It’s been one of the few pillars of success for this government on the innovation economy,” said Ben Bergen, executive director of CCI.

Ottawa last week said it would extend its Atlantic Immigration Pilot , a program aimed bolstering the availability of foreign workers in the oil and gas sector, healthcare and other sectors. Atlantic Canada and Quebec have been among the hardest-hit by the labour gap in recent years. Some groups have put forward recommendations to expand the Student Work Placement Program, which helps find jobs for students in the science, technology, engineering and mathematics fields.

The association said it expects the hiring challenges to worsen with time, and is calling on Ottawa to make the Canada Job Grant permanent, as well as widen eligibility for on-site training programs. The grant funds training efforts through Employment and Social Development Canada.

Instead of expanding jobs programs why not train Canadians?

Good grief 10000’s of unemployed citizens and you want to bring in more ppl? It’s businesses responsibility to attract and train employees, not govn’ts! Unions, organizations and interprovincial barriers are problem. Businesses should be doing career fairs, entry lvl positions

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