Temporary Foreign Workers In Maritimes Tripled In 7 Years: Report

HALIFAX – The use of temporary foreign workers tripled in Atlantic Canada between 2005 and 2012, says a new report that warns changes to the controversial program could make it more difficult for businesses to use it.

The report by the Atlantic Provinces Economic Council said the number of foreign workers in the region rose to 10,913 in 2012 from 3,499 on Dec. 1, 2005.

David Chaundy, a senior economist with the think-tank, said Wednesday he attributes the increase to continued outmigration and a declining labour pool in rural areas that have lost manufacturing jobs.

“I think employers are finding it increasingly difficult to find some of the workers with the skills they need in Canada,” he said. “That’s why they’ve turned to use this program to a greater extent than they have in the past.”

He added that 56 per cent of temporary foreign workers are employed in rural areas outside the six largest provincial centres, which contrasts to the 20 per cent of immigrants who live outside urban centres.

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