MEDIA ADVISORY - CFIB available to comment on changes to the Temporary Foreign Workers program

TORONTO, April 29, 2013 /CNW/ - Senior representatives of the Canadian Federation of Independent Business (CFIB) are available to comment on the federal government's proposed changes to the Temporary Foreign Workers program (contact details below). CFIB president Dan Kelly, Alberta director of provincial affairs Richard Truscott, and vice-president for Quebec Martine Hébert can speak on this issue.

"We are very concerned the government may gum up the TFW program with new fees and red tape that could prevent small firms, especially those in rural Canada, from accessing the program," said Truscott. "Half our members in Western Canada say they have ignored opportunities because they didn't have enough staff."

"Canadians need to have an honest conversation about the desperate need for entry-level workers in many parts of the country," said Kelly. "Temporary foreign workers often do the jobs where there are not enough Canadians willing and available to do them. Without the TFW program, a growing number of employers simply won't be able to find the workers they need."

CFIB is Canada's largest association of small and medium-sized businesses with 109,000 members across every sector and region.

SOURCE: CANADIAN FEDERATION OF INDEPENDENT BUSINESS

To arrange an interview with Dan Kelly or Richard Truscott, please call Gisele Lumsden at 416-222-8022 or via email at [email protected]  

To arrange an interview with Martine Hébert please contact Caroline Emmanuel at 514 861-3234 or 514 817-0228 (cell).