Employers’ Council reacts to the provincial labour shortage
The NL Employers’ Council has been in the news talking about labour shortages and vaccine passports. Several factors contribute to the current labour shortage, including demographics, immigration challenges and COVID support programs. Many employers are concerned that these programs are providing a disincentive for employees to return to work. This phenomenon is being experienced across  [...]
NLEC releases Conference Board of Canada Report Benchmarking NL against Competitors
The NL Employers’ Council (NLEC) released key findings of a Conference Board of Canada study that examines Newfoundland and Labrador’s strengths and weaknesses relative to its closest competitors today at the Sheraton Hotel. The study, Achieving Sustainable Prosperity: Benchmarking the Competitiveness of Newfoundland and Labrador, was commissioned by the NLEC to generate recommendations to improve the  [...]
NLEC asks government for meaningful spending reform and a plan to save for our future
NL Employers’ Council Executive Director Richard Alexander presented to Finance Minister Ross Wiseman Friday, asking him to address the looming deficit by introducing meaningful permanent spending reforms to government program and service delivery. Alexander told Wiseman that the drop in the price of oil “could be the best thing to happen to Newfoundland Labrador.” Now  [...]
Private Members Resolution on Temporary Foreign Workers passed in the House of Assembly
A Private Members Resolution to implement worker recruitment and protection legislation, which would require an employer registration process as well as a licensing requirement for companies/individuals recruiting foreign workers, was passed in the House of Assembly last week. Introduced by Liberal MHA Cathy Bennett, it was supported by all members except the NDP. The NLEC  [...]
Impact of the TFW motatorium on Provincial Nominee Program (PNP)
The Temporary Foreign Worker Program (TFWP) has played an important role in the province’s ability to attract and retain permanent immigrants. Nearly 70% of all Provincial Nominees for the Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) come from the Temporary Foreign Worker Program (in all skill sectors). Due to the decline of the working age population projected for  [...]
NLEC defends use of Temporary Foreign Workers
On April 24th, Minister of Employment and Social Development Canada, Jason Kenney, announced a moratorium on the Food Services Sector’s access to the Temporary Foreign Worker Program. The NLEC immediately jumped to the defence of employers in this sector who are utilizing Temporary Foreign Workers. Placing a moratorium on an entire sector due to allegations  [...]
NLEC asks province to tackle debt, decrease spending and reallocate resources to immigration
The NLEC is encouraging the province to tackle debt, reduce spending, create a competitive tax regime and shift resources towards immigration in Budget 2014. View the NLEC’s Position Paper on 2014 Provincial Budget Priorities. Fiscal prudence Last May the NLEC held a CEO Roundtable with member CEOs from some of the largest and most successful employers  [...]
Federal Minister of Employment Jason Kenney to speak at Employer of Distinction Awards Feb 14th
The Honourable Jason Kenney, Minister of Employment and Social Development & Minister responsible for Multiculturalism, will be the Keynote speaker at this year’s Employer of Distinction Awards. Kenney will discuss ongoing federal government efforts to connect Newfoundlanders & Labradorians with available jobs and address the skills mismatch in Canada. Speaking just days after the federal  [...]
Employers disappointed by changes to Temporary Foreign Worker Program
The Harper government announced reforms to the Temporary Foreign Worker Program (TFWP) Monday.  The Government is introducing legislative, regulatory and administrative changes that will: effective immediately, require employers to pay temporary foreign workers at the prevailing wage by removing the existing wage flexibility; effective immediately, temporarily suspend the Accelerated Labour Market Opinion process; increase the Government’s  [...]
Provincial government releases Labour Market Outlook 2020
In a press conference yesterday, Minister of Human Resources, Labour & Employment Minister Darin King released “Newfoundland and Labrador Labour Market Outlook 2020.” This report provides a forecast of the province’s labour market demands for the next decade and outlines the opportunities that will exist in numerous sectors. The NLEC encourages all employers to review  [...]