Fixing the temps program

Re Open season for lobbyists, Editorial March 27 Your editorial points out there are problems with the Temporary Foreign Workers program. We agree. The previous government’s program didn’t work for Canadian businesses or workers. They promised to fix those problems and never did.

There is a one-time extension for seasonal industries this year to help businesses meet their labour force needs. Every business that applies is reviewed and must meet stringent criteria, including proving they tried and failed to hire Canadian workers first.

We want to provide more opportunities for every Canadian to find a job, to support themselves and their families. We are pleased a House of Commons committee is reviewing the program. We are also reviewing it, and looking at issues including improving job training for Canadians, and a path to citizenship for workers through the program.

We will bring forward our changes that will put Canadian jobs, and Canadian workers, first. MaryAnn Mihychuk, Minister of Employment, Ottawa

Your editorial rightly exposed corporate Canada’s never-ending lobbying of governments of all stripes for the increased use of temporary foreign workers. It’s quite a tale being spun by such capitalists who claim to live by the economic law of supply and demand. They gladly raise prices when a shortage of goods or services exits, but stubbornly refuse to raise wages when a shortage of workers exist.

To attract local employees they should just pay better wages — i.e. the labour ingredient of the capital and management recipe for capitalism’s Holy Grail. Allan Coates, Oakville