seem like a good thing. In fact, there is a growing danger that Canada is in the midst of one the most acute labour shortages in the industrialized world.
A recent Manpower Inc. survey of 33,000 employers across 23 countries around the globe, shows that a worldwide labour shortage has begun. Employers everywhere are finding it increasingly difficult to fill vacant positions and Canada is especially becoming hard-pressed. We are among the top three countries with the highest rate of employers experiencing the labour shortage crunch, along with Mexico and Japan.
Canadian employers say the positions which they are having the most difficulty filling are sales representatives, customer service, engineers, drivers, mechanics, labourers, chefs, electricians, skilled trades and nurses.
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Provincially, the labour shortage is already having a major effect in British Columbia and Ontario. The Canada West Foundation, B.C. Federation of Labour and the B.C. Business Council have all warned of the skilled labour crisis driving up costs and budget estimates on big projects in British Columbia. The upcoming 2010 Winter Olympics in Vancouver is causing Canada to scour other countries for skilled labour. An Ontario Chamber of Commerce member study projects that within the next 15 years, the tradespeople labour shortage could threaten the Ontario economy and the trades themselves. And finally, according to the Canadian Federation of Independent Business (CFIB), small firms in Manitoba, Alberta, Quebec and Prince Edward Island are having problems finding qualified people. Firms in Newfoundland and Labrador
Continued on page 4
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 e-commerce - your business solution
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high canadian dollar hurting your exports? - here are some suggestions and predictions
The U.S. economy has continuously weakened with a depreciating dollar while Canada's has maintained an even keel and a growing loonie. page 3
your questions and the works
The question and answer section is a chance for our expert to answer some of the most common questions in our industry. page 4
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