The Canadian Federation of Independent Business (CFIB) says that more small businesses in Canada than ever are reporting that they face a shortage of skilled labour.
The October 2018 Business Barometer, a monthly CFIB member survey, found that 47 per cent of small Canadian businesses are in need of skilled labour. That’s a ten per cent increase from the January 2018 figures and 20 per cent more than reported in January 2016, says the CFIB.
The most severely affected provinces are B.C., Quebec and Ontario. Construction, transportation, personal services and natural resources are most severely affected.
The CFIB says the shortage is forcing many businesses to limit hiring and is restricting growth.
Some provinces have taken steps to address the shortage. Quebec has instituted an Expression of Interest system that is intended to facilitate the selection of workers with skills that match identified shortages. Ontario has revised the minimum score requirement for its Human Capital Priorities Stream, enabling the province to search Ottawa’s Express Entry system for eligible economic immigration candidates. Instead of the previous required minimum score of 400 under the Comprehensive Ranking System, Ontario’s immigrant nominee program (OINP) will now have the discretion to determine the required score.
Source: Canada Immigration Newsletter
