Public immigration policies do not respond to the urgency of the moment, so much so that the growth and development of businesses are threatened. While they are more expected than ever to cope with the shortage of labor, foreign workers have never been so difficult to immigrate to Quebec, even temporarily.
'is what says Christophe Busson, the firm RPC services, specializing in the recruitment of foreign personnel. The company recruits for different sectors of activity, including catering, hospitality, education, health and manufacturing.
"It's an extremely complicated process. But, it has indeed become more difficult and longer. For example, to bring Mexicans, it can take more than six months. Just two years ago, the same license could take two months to get, "said Mr. Busson.
If we rely on Quebec and Ottawa speeches, temporary immigration should be facilitated. But for several reasons, this political will seems difficult to achieve, remarks Mr. Busson. The latter refers to the sudden rise in the number of asylum seekers who arrived from the United States in the last year.
"The immigration department is so overwhelmed by the recent arrival of illegal immigrants. The agents take care of them and must give them statutes. But that has bogged down the ministry, "points out Mr. Busson.
Moreover, says the lawyer, the immigration department is also recruiting.
"The government is also looking for manpower. But (the ministry) can not hire Mexicans to do immigration papers, "he quipped.
Easier if you're French
The fastest-growing workers in Quebec remain young French, thanks to a program that has been in place in recent years. The work permit can take about two months to get, with a promise of hiring. But the government has not significantly increased quotas to make a real difference in the job market.
During the past year, 2,300 workers qualified for this program. The French must also be young and well trained. They must then respect a contract of employment with the company that recruited them. The contract lasts on average two years.
There is also another way for French people wishing to work in Quebec. They can get a work holiday permit (PVT). With this paper in hand, they can travel and work wherever they want in the country. More than 15,000 people have applied for a TWA in the last year, but Quebec only accepts 5,000. However, these candidates are less attractive for an employer seeking stability because they do not have a job respect.
Why do not governments raise quotas quickly? The identity crisis and the rise of xenophobia in Europe, fueled by a high unemployment rate in recent years, could push politicians to take their time to better structure immigration, believes Mr Busson.
When the employment rate fell, angry unemployed asked foreign laborers to return home, he concluded.
Anticipate
The labor shortage does not seem to be running out of steam in Quebec. Companies facing this challenge must anticipate the recruitment of foreign workers, given the longer timeframes.
" There is no miracle solution. Employers must plan now for six months, one year. We must not be at the last minute, "insists Mr. Busson, who has clients in Mont-Temblant, Quebec and Saguenay-Lac-Saint-Jean.
It costs on average $ 4000 to $ 8000 per recruited worker. This price includes the search for personnel, the administrative and legal steps. The employer must, in certain cases, commit to house the employee for a minimum of one month.
The new worker commits himself to the same job for a minimum of two years.
The cost is high for companies. But the game is worth the candle, according to some employers questioned by The Daily.
"The quality of the foreign workforce is also superior. (The workers) are extremely qualified, "says another employer in the manufacturing sector. These employers prefer not to identify themselves publicly so as not to provoke tension between Quebec workers and immigrant workers at their facilities.
More educated than Quebeckers
Immigrant workers are also sought after for their qualifications. For the same jobs, they have often done longer studies.
"This is particularly the case with Mexicans and French, in cooking and welding. In these areas, it is three years of study for them, whereas in Quebec it is less than that. It's more than in Quebec and the employers here appreciate it. "
Companies hiring immigrants must, however, respect the working conditions mentioned during the hiring, warns Mr. Busson. The latter noted several cases of "exaggeration" among its customers.
LITTLE ACCOMPANYING FOR COMPANIES
Companies that want to recruit temporary foreign workers themselves, thus avoiding the high costs of private firms, must be patient. No form of support has yet been put in place by the various governments.
The approaches are numerous and complex, and they must be conducted on two fronts, provincially and federally. The Daily tried to begin the process for Mexican cooks, but after ten hours spent on this, the reporter launched the towel.
"The Temporary Foreign Worker Program is currently making improvements to the Labor Market Impact Assessment application processing system. When transitioning to the new system, there may be processing times for some applications, "says the Immigration Canada portal.
This first warning puts the table well to prepare companies for long procedures.
"If a single document is missing or the documents are not in French, your application will be returned to you, without having been processed," the site also warns. Indeed, all documents must be translated into French, even the curriculum vitae. A certified translation firm must do so for the document to be valid. The Daily attempted to contact an Immigration Canada officer over the phone to validate the steps before sending all the pieces, but without success. The line simply cut, after making a pre-recorded message that the operators were receiving "high call volume".
There are several programs to bring in immigrant workers. But some have been temporarily suspended, like the one on mobility between Canada and Mexico. Again, it's hard to find yourself in the myriad of programs available.
In Quebec, agents offered a little more help. Unfortunately, it is the federal government that pulls the strings of immigration, so you have to get the approval of Immigration Canada first.
We are invited to follow the steps that are posted on the Immigration Canada and Quebec sites, but there are some gaps. A provincial officer confirmed to The Daily that the site had not been updated and that some information was no longer valid.
While it is currently difficult to obtain support, Immigration Quebec ensures that means will soon be put in place to facilitate the recruitment of foreign workers. "In accordance with the measures announced in the framework of the Diversity Enhancement and Anti-Discrimination Forum last December concerning the regionalization of immigration, and as confirmed in the 2014-2019 Québec Economic Plan, the MIDI is deploying currently resources in all regions of Quebec within the offices of Services Québec. Ministry staff will be able to assist employers in their hiring of foreign workers. The process will be completed by the end of the summer and announcements will be made in this regard soon ",
To better support companies in their efforts abroad, the MIDI will also increase its international presence and will open, from autumn 2018, two new immigration offices (BIQ), Hong Kong and Hong Kong. Los Angeles. These offices will be added to those of Paris and Mexico. About ten antennas belonging to these BIQs will be spread over four continents. This international deployment will complement the regional deployment of MIDI to ensure synergy between business support activities for offices abroad and territorial intervention services in Quebec.
Québec will continue to support immigrant organizations, including Doors Open on the Lake. However, they do not have the mandate to support companies in recruitment. They specialize more in the integration of immigrants.
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