April 22, 2008

Labour

Study confirms rising number of temporary foreign workers in construction

OTTAWA

A new study says the number of temporary foreign workers being used to meet short-term peak demand in the construction industry is on the rise, especially in Alberta, British Columbia and Ontario.

If labour market opinion approvals over the past few years continue at the current rate, Alberta could potentially see a 600% increase in temporary foreign workers.

Although the stated number of construction temporary foreign workers is minimal, the trend as indicated by a six-fold increase is significant.

Last year, the Construction Sector Council’s Labour Market Information Program identified the need to train close to 250,000 workers by 2015 in order to replace a retiring workforce and to meet new demand for construction projects.

Temporary foreign workers have been needed to fill vacant positions in specific regions and for specific trades requiring skilled and qualified workers immediately.

In response to the industry’s need to know more about this crucial labour source, the Construction Sector Council has just published “Temporary Foreign Workers in the Canadian Construction Industry: An Analysis of Programs and Mechanisms.”

DCN News Services

Print | Email | Comment