Prince Edward Island has decided not to participate in a federal initiative that would have allowed rural employers to hire a higher percentage of low-wage temporary foreign workers. Ottawa had announced in March a temporary increase in the cap on low-wage TFWs for rural employers in certain provinces and territories due to ongoing labor shortages.
The province of Prince Edward Island stated that after assessing the situation and consulting with local employers, they concluded that joining the temporary measures was unnecessary at this time. This decision was met with disappointment by Louis-Philippe Gauthier, the Atlantic vice-president of the Canadian Federation of Independent Business, who emphasized the challenges faced by rural employers in filling positions, particularly in accommodation and food services.
The federal government provided information indicating that the measure would have impacted 14 employers and around 46 positions on Prince Edward Island, mainly in the accommodation and food services sector. The province engaged with potentially affected employers to explore alternative workforce solutions, such as existing immigration pathways for year-round positions that align with program criteria.
According to Gauthier, migrant workers have become essential for many small businesses, particularly in the restaurant and customer service industries, to maintain normal operations. The decision by Prince Edward Island was seen as potentially exacerbating the difficulties faced by small and medium-sized businesses in recruiting and retaining workers, especially for entry-level and seasonal roles.
Gauthier highlighted the complexity of the situation, emphasizing that hiring temporary foreign workers is more costly and involves significant paperwork compared to hiring Canadian workers. He argued that simply raising wages is not a comprehensive solution, as certain job positions in specific areas struggle to attract local applicants due to various factors such as demographic changes and job preferences among the workforce.
Joe Byrne, from the Migrant Worker Resource Centre at P.E.I.’s Cooper Institute, welcomed the province’s decision, suggesting that fewer migrant workers in precarious situations could result from the opt-out. He called for reforms to the closed work permit system to provide migrant workers with more stability and opportunities for permanent residency in Canada, which could lead to a more sustainable labor force in rural communities.
