More foreigners taking our jobs

[Badgerbadger]

http://cnews.canoe.ca/CNEWS/Canada/2.../20363176.html

Good? Bad? Why?

[KegRiver]

About what I would expect from this government.

It's purely a political ploy to gain support south of the border. With no regard for possible repercussions at home.

So far as foreign workers taking jobs here, good for them. Canadians go south east and west and sometimes north, for jobs, why shouldn't others.

[catnthehat]

If Canadians do not take these jobs, the companies will need to go elsewhere.
There is also the question of qualifications and willing to travel.
Just because the jobs are in Alberta does not mean that we as Albertans have an absolute lock on who gets the job and when.
Within our Regional council for example, our trade rules and bylaws dictate that a job on our dispatch board goes to council members who are local residents of the area, then to Porvincial residents that are council members, then the call goes out to other locals in Canada, then abroad to the U.S. locals.

However, if a local resident is not qualified , and a travel card does not take the job, then one of the U.S. local members will come up and take it.
I regularly get calls from members complaining that they or friends of theirs' are out of work and there are travel cards on a job.
More often than not, the call was open and that is why those travel cards on on the job.
Nothing is perfect however, and there are at times extinuating circumstances that will put a wrench into the mix.
That being said, Ii wish that we were able to keep our bitumen upgrded in canada, but it doesn't look very good for that.

Cat

[Badgerbadger]

I have no problem with appropriately qualified and certified workers from within or without the country filling positions that need to be filled.

[Sporty]

I guess if these workers are needed to fill the shortages then they need to do what they need to do. This does seem political, Canada offering an olive branch from the dreaded oil sands to the US's former military, makes the oil sands look less demonic.

I often hear from friends complaining about foreign workers taking our jobs but I've yet to see any of my friends go apply for jobs at Walmart, Timmy's and the other places where so many foreign workers are being brought in. If they don't want to work they don't have a leg to stand on when whining about their jobs being taken.

[CaberTosser]

The more working people that come here and pay taxes, the more there will be helping to share the costs of supporting those who aren't working. Hey, I have a concept; how about we turf out two US war resisting "refugee's" for every one of their military vets that comes up to actually work instead of to suckle on our social safety net!

To me this isn't the least bit worrisome, in fact I support it. Heck. my baby sister and her American Husband just moved here from Texas; is he stealing someone's job? It's always been my opinion that a person cannot lose a job if they're good enough at it. In this case its unfilled positions, which are unfilled because there's either nobody applying for them, or they've proven themselves unemployable. I'd be all for an influx of American's, especially veterans. Maybe with our Conservative government we can annex some of the US States that want to secede from Obamanation like Texas, Montana and Wyoming. Colorado and Alaska would be pretty nice too. They can keep New York.

[Clgy_Dave2.0]

Originally Posted by Sporty

I often hear from friends complaining about foreign workers taking our jobs but I've yet to see any of my friends go apply for jobs at Walmart, Timmy's and the other places where so many foreign workers are being brought in. If they don't want to work they don't have a leg to stand on when whining about their jobs being taken.

There are many different facets to that argument.
What do you do for a living? How much do you make at that job? What would you do if your employer brought in half a dozen foreigners who were willing to do your same job for half the pay? Would you still apply for the job at half your rate?
When living in large, economically booming cities such as Calgary/Edmonton a certain "standard of pay" is needed to survive. Some foreigners move from countries that make a tenth of what is needed, so moving here and making even half of the going rate is a huge upgrade. So they're willing to work for such lower wages, and compensate by having a dozen family member all living together.
Some industries have been decimated by these "lower wages". Trucking industry, berry farming, roofing, drywalling, etc have been hit hard with thousands of people willing to work for 10 cents on the dollar....

[308 man]

Not only do we not have people to fill all of the jobs in Fort Mac but now are willing to sell Nexen to the government of China. What this will mean in the long term but I am sure it will not be good for our children and grandchildren.
What is wrong with both levels of government.
I hope that the people of Calgary elect a liberal canditate in the up coming by election.

[great white whaler]

Originally Posted by Calgary Dave

There are many different facets to that argument.
What do you do for a living? How much do you make at that job? What would you do if your employer brought in half a dozen foreigners who were willing to do your same job for half the pay? Would you still apply for the job at half your rate?
When living in large, economically booming cities such as Calgary/Edmonton a certain "standard of pay" is needed to survive. Some foreigners move from countries that make a tenth of what is needed, so moving here and making even half of the going rate is a huge upgrade. So they're willing to work for such lower wages, and compensate by having a dozen family member all living together.
Some industries have been decimated by these "lower wages". Trucking industry, berry farming, roofing, drywalling, etc have been hit hard with thousands of people willing to work for 10 cents on the dollar....

Sad ,but so very true,,,,,and a person running is own show 'why not hire foreigners when trained thay are hard workers .

[Armorman]

To be completely honest with everyone here I don't consider Americans as "Foreigners"...especially those who have served in the armed forces protecting all of us. I welcome them with open arms. It's either that or we bring in more drones from some third world craphole and all of their problems.

[CaberTosser]

With the comments regarding foreigners undercutting our established wages and such, I wonder if they think this will be the case with Americans coming up? Heck, they even speak fluent English for Pete's sake, and most of them can even write (just noting the US has a lower overall literacy rate, but I don't know if those people would be accepted into their military) . I agree that wage & quality undercutting is definately a problem, but the US isn't the third-world poverty-stricken source of that particular issue.

[FishingMOM]

Give me a Soldier who knows how to take orders, wants to do the job.

My boss hired someone from the UK. Lets just say this person isn't working out as expected/hoped.
Every day I argue with this individual and every day get more and more frustrated with the fact they won't listen, won't follow direction and won't use their brain. My co-workers are as frustrated as I am.

At least I know I wouldn't be asked by a soldier "are you serious I have to work outside when it snows?"

[fishtank]

it's has some political incentives . but truth be told if they have the skills and are willing to work hard i am sure the employer won't complaint, it's hard to find good hard worker that won't bitch and complaint.

[HunterDave]

The truth of it is that we NEED more foreign workers in Canada, particularly in Alberta, because there aren't enough Canadians to fill all of the job positions. Without foreign workers coming to Canada we would face a crisis in the future. The government is well aware of this and thus is recruiting and amending qualification requirements to attract more of them.

[winged1]

this is one of the issues that concern me about the need for good government in Alberta and Canada. I don't support this concept.

The wealth of Alberta needs to be delivered to Albertans, not as a payout for residency, but as a reward for skill development. Beyond Alberta, in Canada, we have a large industrial sector which is dispersing due to the relative collapse of those industries. We must not loose those skills, especially when we need them. The desire for large corporations to race to resource extraction must be tempered by ensuring Albertans recieve the maximum benefit. Most of the jobs are in construction of these projects, compared to the operating side. A race to the end game (profits) while at the same time not fully employing Canadians is not servicing the populace, but rather serving corporate and government.

Employing immigrant workers in no way provides for Albertans, or Canadians. These corporations are simply using the government to dodge the costs of skill development. Our government is in bed with the big boys and are being bought out by the promise of end game royalties, and expense reduction. This translates into Albertans paying a penalty in both ability to increase payrates and inefficient infastructure development.

The US has an excellent opportunity to benefit from our resource production, by employing thier homecoming service men in building pipelines and process capacity at thier points of utilization.

This government, in going down this path, is neglegant in servicing the needs of Albertans/Canadians.

[chasingtail]

What exactly are these Oil Sand companies doing to attract Canadians to these jobs. Are they willing to train green hands? Advertising in all the papers in Alberta? Willing to train someone with no experience?. No, no and no, the only jobs they advertise to Canadians require years of experience or a degree. They want cheap labour plan and simple, this whole labour shortage is a bunch of BS, these companies get our Oil for 1% royalties they sure as heck ought to train Canadians to do these jobs, other wise shut it down.

[BeeGuy]

Originally Posted by chasingtail

What exactly are these Oil Sand companies doing to attract Canadians to these jobs. Are they willing to train green hands? Advertising in all the papers in Alberta? Willing to train someone with no experience?. No, no and no, the only jobs they advertise to Canadians require years of experience or a degree. They want cheap labour plan and simple, this whole labour shortage is a bunch of BS, these companies get our Oil for 1% royalties they sure as heck ought to train Canadians to do these jobs, other wise shut it down.

yer gonna have industry apologists on you like flies to ****

[pmac]

Originally Posted by chasingtail

What exactly are these Oil Sand companies doing to attract Canadians to these jobs. Are they willing to train green hands? Advertising in all the papers in Alberta? Willing to train someone with no experience?. No, no and no, the only jobs they advertise to Canadians require years of experience or a degree. They want cheap labour plan and simple, this whole labour shortage is a bunch of BS, these companies get our Oil for 1% royalties they sure as heck ought to train Canadians to do these jobs, other wise shut it down.

X2 - This country has a training shortage not a labour shortage

[uglyelk]

Originally Posted by pmac

X2 - This country has a training shortage not a labour shortage

x2

[sanjuanworm]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=768h3Tz4Qik

[catnthehat]

I don't beleive that there is a single answer to this problem, because I know that companies have gone across canada on hiring fairs, the unions have gone across canada on acintuinual basis to get travel cards, and there have been many systems for hiring and training workers in Alberta, Aboroiginal workers for instance.
There are pitfalls in every instance, and good thngs have come from every instance as well.

In all that , there are the "labour providers" that some of the corporations go to however, and spome of these are nothing but legalized coyoties as far as I am concerned - the debacle at CNRL was a worst case scenario.

I would must rather see a qualified tradesman come up from wherever than see these companies and our Government bringing in unqualified workers under false pretences ....
Cat

[fishunter327]

Originally Posted by HunterDave

The truth of it is that we NEED more foreign workers in Canada, particularly in Alberta, because there aren't enough Canadians to fill all of the job positions. Without foreign workers coming to Canada we would face a crisis in the future. The government is well aware of this and thus is recruiting and amending qualification requirements to attract more of them.

So why does ammending (lowering) qualifications for foreign workers make any sense?If you need more workers amend the training for canadians.Canada has a high standard of training known around the world.Not all canadians can afford to get training,also there"s not enough training courses offered.Lets train any able bodied,willing canadian kid that wants it .Thats not happening now.Then offer tax breaks to industry for hiring canadian apprentices.

[CanuckShooter]

Originally Posted by pmac

X2 - This country has a training shortage not a labour shortage

They do a lot of inappropriate training... Like food safe, basket weaving, women's studies etc. Our high schools should be putting out grads with trades qualifications beyond social studies and volleyball .

[silver]

Originally Posted by pmac

X2 - This country has a training shortage not a labour shortage

Agreed, something thats been on my mind for a while. Do high schools still have shop classes? Or is the insurance too high? Or is it too easy to set up computer courses because really nobody works with their hands anymore.

I was working on a construction project recently and we had an engineer/consultant supervising us. For all his training and schooling, he had trouble reading a tape measure.

I have about the top certification in my trade, but I am short of experience on certain machines. And it is hard to get time on these units. Recently I applied for a job on a unit I didnt have time on, didnt get the job. The company would rather bring some one in from out of province than give a local guy a chance.

[MountainTi]

Originally Posted by chasingtail

What exactly are these Oil Sand companies doing to attract Canadians to these jobs. Are they willing to train green hands? Advertising in all the papers in Alberta? Willing to train someone with no experience?. No, no and no, the only jobs they advertise to Canadians require years of experience or a degree. They want cheap labour plan and simple, this whole labour shortage is a bunch of BS, these companies get our Oil for 1% royalties they sure as heck ought to train Canadians to do these jobs, other wise shut it down.

This is exactly right

[Fisherpeak]

Tumbler Ridge has just hired a bunch of Chinese to work in the underground coal mine there.Company said there were no qualified workers in Canada.
Really!?
Oh,they are also getting paid 12 dollars an hour less than industry standard.

[Annie]

If you want to work in the USA even for a short time you have to prove that you provide a service that cannot be found in the US

[Mistagin]

Originally Posted by Annie

If you want to work in the USA even for a short time you have to prove that you provide a service that cannot be found in the US

That's mostly true. My brother couldn't get into the US to work on his trade qualifications, even though his wife (a Canadian also) was living and working as a nurse south of the border. So he joined the National Guard - they welcomed him with open arms.

[igorot]

Originally Posted by fishunter327

So why does ammending (lowering) qualifications for foreign workers make any sense?If you need more workers amend the training for canadians.Canada has a high standard of training known around the world.Not all canadians can afford to get training,also there"s not enough training courses offered.Lets train any able bodied,willing canadian kid that wants it .Thats not happening now.Then offer tax breaks to industry for hiring canadian apprentices.

I don't agree on lowering qualifications. The problem is the above and I don't believe they can not afford it. If there's a will there is always a way.

[igorot]

Originally Posted by Mistagin

So he joined the National Guard - they welcomed him with open arms.

They always do even illegal immigrants and they receive their citizenship posthumously.