CIC NEWS
A record 47 per cent of small Canadian businesses report that they are experiencing a shortage of skilled labour, a monthly survey conducted by the Canadian Federation of Independent Business has found.
The findings in the Canadian Federation of Independent Business (CFIB)’s October 2018 Business Barometer survey is a roughly 10 per cent increase from survey results for January 2018 and a 20 per cent increase from its January 2016 results.
The CFIB said the shortage is forcing many employers to limit their hiring plans and “putting pressure on their ability to grow.”
Provinces where the greatest shortages in skilled labour were reported included British Columbia, Quebec and Ontario.
Industries reporting the highest shortages in skilled labour were construction, transportation, personal services and natural resources.
The findings were based on replies from 655 federation members selected at random for its monthly Business Barometer survey.
The CFIB has been a vocal proponent of immigration’s role in helping solve Canada’s labour shortage, especially when it comes to higher-skilled positions.
Quebec took a number of steps in recent months in a bid to address labour shortages in the province, especially in regions outside the Montreal metropolitan area.
Among these changes was the adoption of a new Expression of Interest system for the Quebec Skilled Worker Program that the government says will facilitate the selection of workers with skills that meet shortages in the province’s regions.
Ontario also recently revised the minimum score requirement for its Human Capital Priorities Stream, which allows the province to search the federal government’s Express Entry system for eligible economic immigration candidates.
All eligible Express Entry candidates are given a score under what’s called the Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS), which determines their position in the pool of candidates.
Instead of a minimum CRS score of 400, Ontario says the score requirement will be left to the discretion of the director in charge of the province’s immigrant nominee program, the OINP.
The director will consider factors such as labour market needs and the province’s economic priorities when deciding on the minimum score. The most recent invitation round through the Human Capital Priorities Stream saw the score reduced to 350 for Express Entry candidates with a job offer in Ontario.
Most Canadian provinces and territories have a Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) that allows them to nominate a set number of economic immigration candidates for Canadian permanent residence each year.
To find out if you are eligible for any Canadian immigration programs, fill out a free assessment.
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Mann says
Yeah they are supposed to have shortage. The company I work in is a warehouse and our teams of warehouse associates has masters and bachelors degrees and couldn’t get job anywhere because nobody is replying to there resumes. When we talk about skilled labour same thing happens, we want to hire people with perfect skillset and expect in resume or interviews that they must have 10 years of experience in certain skill. Well if we want capable workers we might have to change the way we hire people. I would say if we don’t have unrealistic hope when hiring and get our standards in line with reality we have plenty of young talented people who are able to cover that shortage.
Christopher Hallinan says
I just don’t get it. The system says there are shortages of “skilled” labour in Canada but all the provinces seem to want are workers with degree’s and give permanent residence to these types of candidates yet there are massive shortages in the service sector and in my case transportation. I am a truck driver with over 18 years of experience yet I don’t fall into the type for express entry. Another thing, I must take an English language test yet the English language is all I know as i am from London. It just doesn’t make sense.
Kevin Schotts says
So if there is so much shortage, why is it that after I have applied for around 500 jobs in Alberta since May, I only had 3 interviews, and I’m still unemployed and my EI is running out?
clarion lopez lansangan says
thank you cicnews.com for your valuable information.
Crystal Thiessen says
Is it truly a shortage? Or are companies refusing to pay competitive wages? Skilled Labourers are underpaid as it is.
Amit kumar Nag says
Hi, Is this true. Shortage of skilled forces, if so then why still there is tighten in CRS Score,also in PNP ? It seems that candidate who are in living status they are getting chances till now. If this trend is going we have to suffer.
Tania says
I think in BC they should look at the way they recruit in terms of recruiting criteria. They say they are in need of skills worker, yet, they are looking for 10, 15 years experience along with Degree or Masters and paying at the minimum. Most skilled workers started out as an apprentice, so the degree requirements disqualify them, hence, they have to be doing other jobs instead of the area that they are experts in.
Ted says
Remove LMIA process and it will solve the problem.
A lot of international students would like to stay and work in Canada after graduation.
When you get one year PGWP it is difficult to find job immediately and work one year to apply for Canadian Experience Class (CEC).
As a result, a lot of skilled workers should go home.