Northern communities want a permanent foreign worker immigration program, sources say
As the health care field struggles to fill positions, the Rural and Northern Immigration Pilot program has proven to be a lifeline, according to the Timmins and District Hospital.
Human resources manager Mike Resetar said the program has been an efficient way to address some of the hospital’s staffing shortages.
Mike Resetar, Human resources manager at Timmins and District Hospital. June 1/23 (Sergio Arangio/CTV Northern Ontario)
"We've been able to [hire] a number of roles […] with physicians, nursing positions, personal support workers, as well as support staff," Resetar said.
"The availability of these individuals looking for work is great."
Rasetar said the program is painless from his end and makes a foreign worker's Canadian dream easier to achieve.
Local program coordinator Bailey Campbell, with the Timmins Economic Development Corporation (TEDC), said there have been hundreds of success stories since its launch in 2019.
"Since the beginning of the pilot, we've recommended 352 candidates," Campbell said.
"That's 352 jobs in the community that are being filled by skilled foreign workers and, in addition, family members that are coming and accompanying them."
The pilot program was revised last year to broaden its reach, among other items and is set to expire in 2024.
- Download our app to get local alerts on your device
- Get the latest local updates right to your inbox
Timmins Mayor Michelle Boileau joined other northern politicians in calling on federal immigration minister Sean Fraser to make it permanent.
Boileau said there's more awareness of and interest in the program now, plus applicants are better able to take advantage, with COVID-19 travel restrictions dropped.
"We've actually been able to, through this program, attract talent into positions that were going unfilled for years and years and years, and things that are quite specialized," Boileau said.
"It would be such a shame to have to sunset the program by this year's end when we've really gotten into the groove of things."
The immigration minister's office issued a statement to CTV News, noting Fraser’s belief in the program and desire to fix any issues.
"The benefits of the Rural and Northern Immigration Pilot are undeniable," the statement reads.
"Minister Fraser has spoken with those directly impacted by this program and has heard how it not only meets crucial labour demands but is also strengthening communities. We will continue to work on this and will have more to share soon."
Campbell said it's a matter of identifying any other flaws and gaps and gathering input from employers, employees and prospective applicants.
The TEDC is gathering letters of support from stakeholders, she said, as well as signatures for an online petition.
Officials said the goal is to both address immediate job market demand and prepare for an eventual exodus of soon-to-be retirees.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
BREAKING Health Canada to change sperm donor screening rules for men who have sex with men
Health Canada will change its longstanding policy restricting gay and bisexual men from donating to sperm banks in Canada, CTV News has learned. The federal health agency has adopted a revised directive removing the ban on gay, bisexual and other men who have sex with men, effective May 8.
American millionaire Jonathan Lehrer denied bail after being charged with killing Canadian couple
American millionaire Jonathan Lehrer, one of two men charged in the killings of a Canadian couple in Dominica, has been denied bail.
LeBlanc says he plans to run in next election, under Trudeau's leadership
Cabinet minister Dominic LeBlanc says he plans to run in the next election as a candidate under Prime Minister Justin Trudeau's leadership, amid questions about his rumoured interest in succeeding his longtime friend for the top job.
U.S. vetoes a widely supported UN resolution backing full membership for Palestine
The United States has vetoed a widely backed UN resolution that would have paved the way for full United Nations membership for the state of Palestine.
Sports columnist apologizes for 'oafish' comments directed at Caitlin Clark. The controversy isn’t over
A male columnist has apologized for a cringeworthy moment during former University of Iowa superstar and college basketball’s highest scorer Caitlin Clark’s first news conference as an Indiana Fever player.
Bayer recalls hydraSense baby product over 'potential contamination'
Bayer announced Thursday it is recalling two lots of its hydraSense Baby Nasal Care Easydose due to a potential contamination.
Cat found on Toronto Pearson airport runway 3 days after going missing
Kevin the cat has been reunited with his family after enduring a harrowing three-day ordeal while lost at Toronto Pearson International Airport earlier this week.
Grandparent scam suspects had ties to Italian organized crime, police allege
A group of suspects that allegedly defrauded seniors across Ontario and other parts of Canada using a so-called emergency grandparent scam appear to have ties to 'Italian traditional organized crime,' according to an investigator involved in the OPP-led probe.
Trend Line Anger, pessimism towards federal government reach six-year high: Nanos survey
Most Canadians in March reported feeling angry or pessimistic towards the federal government than at any point in the last six years, according to a survey by Nanos Research.