News Briefs – Shortage of skilled labour amid housing boom draws international workers

The CREWS program helps employers find skilled workers and bring them to Canada legally. But the program is up for renewal next month and is currently under discussion. 'We're back at the table discussing this because we all thought there was merit to the memorandum of understanding,' says John McVean, a program director with Human Resources Skills Development Canada.

It's based on a memorandum of understanding between the Greater Toronto Home Builders Association, Human Resources and Skills Development Canada and Citizenship and Immigration Canada.

The original agreement stated that up to 500 foreign workers would be allowed into Canada on a one-year work contract, renewable for a second year. Mr. McVean says discussions have focused on ways to improve the program -- what worked, what didn't, what must change -- and they hope to reach a resolution before the Sept. 24 deadline.