Posted: Friday, 27 April 2012

As published in The Globe and Mail on April 27, 2012

When there are gas shortages and pump prices rise, the government says it’s a matter of supply and demand and nothing can be done. But when employers say there’s a shortage of skilled workers, the government is prepared to open the labour market to temporary workers who can be paid up to 15 per cent less than other workers in the same region (West Wins New Foreign-Worker Rules – April 26).

We support people coming to Canada as landed immigrants to fill demonstrated skills shortages. But the government’s plan is unfair. It will simply provide low-wage labour to business at the expense of Canadian communities and migrant workers trying to provide for families they left behind.

Ken Georgetti, president, Canadian Labour Congress