Speaking Points
for
the Honourable Diane Finley,
Minister of Human Resources and Skills Development
at
Advance Engineered Products Ltd.’s
manufacturing facility
in Nisku, Alberta
April 25, 2012
Check against delivery
Thank you for inviting me here to Advance Engineered Products.
It’s great to be back in Alberta. My congratulations to Premier Redford. I wish her the best of success, and I look forward to working with the provincial government.
This is a wonderful and very appropriate venue for me to highlight some of the key initiatives set forth in our Economic Action Plan 2012—particularly to address the challenges of skills and labour shortages.
As you know, Canada is recovering from the global recession, yet there is still a lot of uncertainty. Beyond our borders, the global economy is fragile, and any setbacks could have an impact on Canada.
Even if all goes well, Canadian businesses must deal with ever-increasing competition from emerging economies—such as Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa.
We must also adapt to demographic changes mainly caused by an aging population. The baby boom generation is starting to retire, and their exit from the workforce will leave large voids to fill. Because of the drop in our birth rate, there will be fewer young workers to replace them.
What this situation requires is for us to be flexible and imaginative—to think outside the box—in ways that enhance our country’s traditions and reputation in the world.
Here in Alberta, you know what I’m talking about. The province is growing in population and attracting newcomers. And yet, you still face skilled labour shortages.
Alberta is tied for the lowest unemployment rate in the country—at five per cent—and the challenge of finding enough skilled workers is a difficult one.
Our Economic Action Plan 2012 was designed to help Canada meet such challenges and emerge stronger than ever.
This past February in Edmonton, I met with businesses to discuss the difficulties with the labour market. Today, I return with some good news.
I am happy to announce that we are making changes to the Temporary Foreign Worker Program to better respond to the necessities of Canadian businesses and efficiently support the economic recovery.
We are reducing the paper burden and speeding up the processing time for employers that have short‑term skilled labour needs.
With the introduction of the Accelerated Labour Market Opinion, or A-L-M-O, employers with a strong track record and in need of high-skilled workers will be able to obtain an LMO within 10 business days. This is effective immediately.
In addition, we are bringing forward a new wage structure with pay rates based on Statistics Canada data. For added flexibility, wages up to 15% below the average wage will be accepted—so long as it can be clearly demonstrated that the same wages are being paid to Canadian workers.
The A-LMO will also ensure further protections for temporary foreign workers through the implementation of compliance reviews.
Our Temporary Foreign Worker Program is helping to fill the demand for skilled workers, but it must not take jobs away from Canadians.
Here inCanada, we have labour shortages in many regions of the country—and yet, in other regions, we have high unemployment.
This is why it is critical to better connect the EI program with the Temporary Foreign Worker Program.
Businesses must recruit from the domestic workforce before hiring temporary foreign workers.
And as we face unprecedented skills shortages, it will be critical that we work to help Canadians find available jobs in their local area more quickly.
Our government is making improvements to the EI program to ensure that it is fair, continues to meet the needs of Canadians and is responsive to local labour market demands.
But, where the labour market has acute needs not easily filled by the domestic workforce, this is when the A-LMO will help to ease the pressure for employers.
This is about supporting the economic recovery and strengthening our labour market.
Through Economic Action Plan 2012, our government will also work in partnership with organizations and the provinces and territories to further improve foreign credential recognition so that internationally trained workers are able to find meaningful employment.
This will in turn, contribute to our economy and overall competitiveness.
Our government’s top priority is creating jobs, growth and long-term prosperity. That’s why we are taking action to ensure that the Temporary Foreign Worker Program supports our economic recovery and effectively responds to local labour market demands.
And companies like yours will directly benefit.
As we move forward, we will consider additional ways to improve and strengthen the Temporary Foreign Worker Program.
We are making Canada a destination of choice for skilled workers around the world and helping employers fill labour shortages in key areas of the economy.
I firmly believe that we are on the right path, and in the process, we’re building a more prosperous country for everyone.
Thank you.
