In a context where Canada, and more particularly Quebec, faces significant economic challenges, particularly in terms of productivity and the integration of foreign labor, the words of Carolyn Rogers, Senior Deputy Governor of the Bank of Canada, provide relevant insight.
Published at 1:11 a.m. Updated at 4:00 p.m.
Me Patrice Brunet Immigration lawyer
On March 26, she highlighted that low productivity growth, despite high inflation and GDP growth among the strongest in the G7, poses a serious challenge for the country. This situation highlights the critical importance of improving business productivity to support sustainable growth and improve the standard of living of Canadians.
PHOTO PROVIDED BY PATRICE BRUNET
Me Patrice Brunet
The integration of foreign workers into the Quebec economy finds its place in a range of potential solutions to improve business productivity, particularly in Quebec, where demographics and the labor market present unique challenges. In 2022, Quebec welcomed nearly 350,000 non-permanent residents, a record number, about half of whom are temporary workers. This foreign workforce is increasingly present in various sectors, ranging from agriculture to more specialized areas such as manufacturing, hospitality, artificial intelligence and retail, highlighting its crucial role in the Quebec economy.
Yet the potential of these foreign workers is not fully exploited in some key sectors such as health, social services and construction, where they are under-represented despite growing needs. The need to simplify and amplify public policies and integration strategies in a more effective manner is therefore obvious to align the supply of foreign talent with the demand of the Quebec labor market.
The number of work permit holders increased significantly, from 43,770 in 2015 to 167,435 in 2023, reflecting the growing importance of this population in the labor market. This increase was supported by various public policies aimed at facilitating the arrival and integration of these foreign workers.
Faced with these realities, the requirement for foreign workers to speak French, as put in place by the Quebec government, could represent an obstacle to the attraction and integration of these talents essential to business productivity. Although laudable on paper, this new approach constitutes a setback for companies, as well as for talented foreign candidates who have historically allowed Quebec companies to develop fluidly and efficiently.
If the desire to preserve Quebec’s cultural and linguistic identity is legitimate, it is crucial to find a balance that makes it possible to effectively attract and integrate foreign workers, while promoting their progressive learning of French.
To address the challenge of low productivity growth, it is imperative to adopt a pragmatic and inclusive approach to immigration policy and the integration of foreign workers. This involves rethinking language requirements in a way that encourage rather than limiter the arrival of international talent. Policy decisions should align to promote successful integration of foreign workers into all key sectors of the economy, including those where their presence remains insufficient.
The successful integration of foreign workers into the Quebec labor market requires a coherent strategy and close collaboration between governments, businesses and communities. Recent public spats between the immigration ministers of Canada and Quebec do not promote the procedural stability that these programs require. An approach favoring greater openness would make it possible to maximize the economic and social benefits of immigration, thus contributing to sustainable and inclusive growth of the Quebec economy.
It is essential to consider foreign labor not only as a temporary solution to skills shortages, but also as a strategic component of Quebec’s long-term development. Foreign workers bring skills, a network, perspectives and experiences which, if properly integrated, can continue to enrich the economic and social fabric of Quebec. To achieve this, close collaboration between all stakeholders involved – governments, businesses, educational institutions and local communities – is crucial.
In the long term, these measures could not only help resolve the problem of low productivity in Quebec, but also continue to position the province as an attractive and dynamic place to live for talents from around the world. This requires continued commitment and strategic reflection on how Quebec views its economic and cultural future in a context of globalization and rapid demographic changes. Currently, it is no secret in our community that several companies are already silently planning the development of their businesses elsewhere than in Quebec, to continue to be attractive to renowned foreign workers.
In short, the key to success lies in a holistic and inclusive approach that values and takes advantage of the diversity of talents. By carefully navigating between immediate economic needs and long-term objectives of sustainable development and social integration, Quebec can strengthen its position on the global stage as a model of prosperity, innovation and social cohesion, while by improving its productivity.
2024-04-01 20:02:06
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