Alberta Labour Shortage

Alberta is pushing for easier rules to allow immigrants to fill labour shortages in that province:

Alberta's labour shortage election issue

Last updated Dec 23 2005 09:34 AM MSTCBC News
Business leaders in Calgary are trying to put Alberta's chronic labour shortage on the election radar. The Calgary Chamber of Commerce, on behalf of its members, has sent letters to the leaders of the federal parties asking specifically what they'll do to address the problem. The group says increasing immigration may be key to solving the shortage of labour – and for that, they say federal intervention is required. "They're the ones that control the way and the process of how people get to Canada," said Heather Douglas, president of the Calgary Chamber of Commerce.

FROM NOV.7, 2005: Oilsands expansions underscore labour shortage Douglas says business owners and groups here are actively recruiting workers in international markets but many are encountering regulatory problems.

In a recent survey conducted by the Chamber, 42 per cent of respondents said a shortage of skilled labour is critically affecting their day-to-day operations.

Dan Kelly, with the Canadian Federation of Independent Business, says the federal government should do more to improve the skills of people in the existing labour pool. For example, programs to reintegrate people on employment insurance back into the workforce.

"Those are the kinds of policies that will help solve this very troubling issue," said Kelly.