Taking advantage of the imminent economic and financial update of the Legault government, the Quebec Employers Council (CPQ), the Quebec Retail Trade Council (CQCD), Quebec Manufacturers and Exporters (MEQ), the Federation of Chambers of Commerce of Quebec (FCCQ), the Union of Quebec Municipalities (UMQ) and the Canadian Federation of Independent Business (CFIB) on Friday launched a collective cry from the heart to remind people of the extent to which the labor shortage he work was glaring and a brake on the economy.
“We are united, because this workforce crisis is unprecedented,” says Daniel Côté, president of the UMQ. We want to ensure that effective measures are put in place. The municipalities want to contribute according to their means. We cannot do it alone. They are reaching out to the government. ”
Everyone agrees that we must act as soon as possible. To achieve a smoothing out of the shortage problem, the organizations have listed a few conditions: focus on a regionalization strategy for immigration, accelerate the integration into the labor market of people with criminal justice, people with disabilities, members of the First Nations and other experienced workers. , accentuate support for training in SMEs as well as focus on investments in robotization and automation, among others.
“We want the voice of all entrepreneurs to be heard,” says Karl Blackburn, President and CEO of the CPQ. The shortage is an economic disaster. All countries experience it, but it is worse in Quebec because of the aging of the population. Immigration must be part of the solution. The government has already taken important steps, but we want the immigration thresholds to meet what is missing. I invite the Quebec government to find with the federal government quick, flexible and agile ways of reducing the temporary immigration program. ”
“Entrepreneurs are running out”
On this occasion, it was recalled that there were more than 25,000 vacant positions in the manufacturing sector and more than 20,000 in the retail industry, “from the salesperson to the data architect”. “Such pressure weighs heavily on the eve of the holiday season,” laments Jean-Guy Côté, director general of the CQCD.
The situation weighs heavily on the shoulders of SMEs, to the point that 45% of them say they refuse contracts, according to the CFIB. “Entrepreneurs are running out,” also notes François Vincent, vice-president, Quebec, of the CFIB. About 64% say they are working more hours. The shortage is such that the majority of SMEs do not recommend starting a business. ”
Could ending the Canada Economic Stimulus Benefit ease their burden? “It will take a few weeks before measuring the impact of the end of the program,” replied Véronique Proulx, CEO of MEQ.