Community leaders and businesses in Northern B.C., particularly Prince Rupert, are facing a severe workforce crisis due to recent federal government cuts to the Temporary Foreign Worker (TFW) Program and international student permits. Businesses like Opa Sushi, McDonald's, and Pedersen-Gruppen Enterprises rely heavily on foreign workers, and the new policies, which cap TFWs at 10% of the workforce and reduce international student intake by 40%, are causing staff shortages and threatening economic collapse. They are sending a formal "Northern BC Call to Action" to Parliament.
‘Our town’s going to collapse’: Northern B.C. businesses demand Ottawa revisit immigration, work permit cuts
PoliticsPrince rupertWork permitPrince RupertTemporary foreign workersImmigrationTemporary Foreign Workers
AI Summary
TL;DR: Key points with love ❤️Community leaders and businesses in Northern B.C., particularly Prince Rupert, are facing a severe workforce crisis due to recent federal government cuts to the Temporary Foreign Worker (TFW) Program and international student permits. Businesses like Opa Sushi, McDonald's, and Pedersen-Gruppen Enterprises rely heavily on foreign workers, and the new policies, which cap TFWs at 10% of the workforce and reduce international student intake by 40%, are causing staff shortages and threatening economic collapse. They are sending a formal "Northern BC Call to Action" to Parliament.
Trending- 1 2024: Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada capped study permit applications.
- 2 September 26, 2024: Employers capped at 10% TFWs, duration reduced to one year.
- 3 June 25 (recent): Northern BC Call to Action session held.
- 4 Recent: Community leaders plan to send formal "Northern BC Call to Action" document to Parliament.
- Workforce crisis
- Businesses at risk of collapse
- Staff shortages
- Reduced international student intake (40%)
- TFW program capped at 10% of workforce
- TFW duration reduced to one year
What: Northern B.C. community leaders and businesses are demanding the federal government revisit recent cuts to the Temporary Foreign Worker (TFW) Program and international student permits, which are causing a severe workforce crisis and threatening local economies.
When: June 25 (Northern BC Call to Action session), 2024 (Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada capped study permits), September 26, 2024 (TFW program changes effective).
Where: Northern B.C., Prince Rupert, Ottawa (federal government).
Why: Federal government changes to immigration and work permit policies (capping study permits and TFWs, reducing TFW duration) are causing significant workforce shortages, making it difficult for businesses to operate and threatening the economic stability of towns like Prince Rupert. The government's stated reason for the caps is to ease strain on housing, healthcare, and other services.
How: Community leaders held a "Northern BC Call to Action" session and plan to send a formal document to Parliament, demanding the federal government reconsider the impact of its policies on the region.