Quebec, Canada’s largest province, is taking steps to attract more foreign workers to the area. Too many vacant positions at countless companies that operate there mean that an influx of new workers is desperately needed.
In fact, official statistics have shown that for the first four months of 2019, Quebec had 114,215 open positions that need to be filled by qualified workers. Compared to the first four months of 2018, 23% of all positions in Quebec are currently empty. Second, only to British Columbia in job vacancies, Quebec officials are determined to fill the province’s companies with hard-working employees.
As a result, in October 2019 Quebec’s Minister of Labour, Employment and Social Solidarity, Jean Boulet, announced that they are providing funds to companies with job vacancies, to the tune of $2.1 million. Companies in need are able to use this money to recruit the foreign workers there is such a high demand for. Every company with job vacancies will receive $1,200 to assist in their recruitment efforts. This is expected to pay for over half the cost those efforts will require for completion.
However, before companies are permitted to use the money for this purpose, they are required to prove they can meet certain requirements. Companies that are generally the most qualified are those that provide immigration or law services to the public. Yet they must have the official seal of approval from the Ministry of Immigration, Francization, and Integration, otherwise known as MIFI.
This is not the only financial assistance being offered to companies that have a significant number of positions to fill. Previously, in August 2019, $20 million was allotted for the recruitment of new foreign workers as well. The plan for 2020 and 2021 is to fund roughly 1,750 companies in their efforts to recruit new employees.
