'We need more people': business groups shed light on labour shortage 'crisis'
A coalition of business groups is sounding the alarm over a massive labour shortage provincewide.
"We are living in crisis. For real," said François Vincent, vice-president of the Canadian Federation of Independent Business (CFIB), Quebec division.
According to a recent survey of small to medium businesses in Quebec, three-fifths suggested refraining from starting a business in this climate.
There are currently 220,000 vacant positions across the province.
Karl Blackburn, CEO of the Quebec employer's council (CPQ), says immigration is one solution.
"That's why we propose more than 70,000 immigrants a year for the coming years," he said.
In that same survey, some 45 per cent of small and medium-sized businesses reported they've had to turn down sales or contracts because of a lack of workers.
The business groups point out that the labour shortage didn't start out with the pandemic, but it certainly made it worse.
"When the economy started back up again, the labour shortage came back as issue number one," said Vincent.
Many workers chose to take federal relief benefits -- and then change careers -- rather than return to work for low wages.
On the supply side, not only did some manufacturers close during the pandemic, they suddenly found themselves having to make different products than they were used to upon reopening.
"We’re on a shift with certain products. So, if you’re looking at construction products, looking to renovate your house, there are a lot of delays. So, there has been a shift in demand, and the supply chain hasn’t been able to adapt," said Veronique Proulx, CEO of the group representing manufacturers and exporters (MEQ).
Things are tough on the retail side, too, according to Jean-Guy Cote, director of the Quebec retail council (CQCD).
"We need more people, we need more people on the floor, we need more people in the back of stores," he said. "Soon it’s going to be Christmas time, so it’s very worrying for a lot of businesses."
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Widow looking for answers after Quebec man dies in Texas Ironman competition
The widow of a Quebec man who died competing in an Ironman competition is looking for answers.
Amid concerns over 'collateral damage' Trudeau, Freeland defend capital gains tax change
Facing pushback from physicians and businesspeople over the coming increase to the capital gains inclusion rate, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and his deputy Chrystia Freeland are standing by their plan to target Canada's highest earners.
Tom Mulcair: Park littered with trash after 'pilot project' is perfect symbol of Trudeau governance
Former NDP leader Tom Mulcair says that what's happening now in a trash-littered federal park in Quebec is a perfect metaphor for how the Trudeau government runs things.
U.S. Senate overwhelmingly passes aid for Ukraine, Israel and Taiwan with big bipartisan vote
The U.S. Senate has passed US$95 billion in war aid to Ukraine, Israel and Taiwan, sending the legislation to President Joe Biden after months of delays and contentious debate over how involved the United States should be in foreign wars.
Wildfire southwest of Peace River spurs evacuation order
People living near a wildfire burning about 15 kilometres southwest of Peace River are being told to evacuate their homes.
World seeing near breakdown of international law amid wars in Gaza and Ukraine, Amnesty says
The world is seeing a near breakdown of international law amid flagrant rule-breaking in Gaza and Ukraine, multiplying armed conflicts, the rise of authoritarianism and huge rights violations in Sudan, Ethiopia and Myanmar, Amnesty International warned Wednesday as it published its annual report.
Train derailed in Sarnia after colliding with a truck
Police are investigating after a transport truck collided with a train in Sarnia.
Fewer medical students going into family medicine contributing to doctor shortage
As some family doctors are retiring and others are moving away from family medicine, there are fewer medical students to take their place.
'It's discriminatory': Individuals refused entry to Ontario legislature for wearing keffiyeh
Individuals being barred from entering Ontario’s legislature while wearing a keffiyeh say the garment is part of their cultural identity— and the only ones making it political are the politicians banning it.