Coalition letter to Rick Dykstra, Parliamentary Secretary, Citizenship and Immigration

February 25, 2010,

Dear Mr. Dykstra:

Thank you and Mr. Brent Rathgeber, MP, for taking the time to meet and consult with members of the Coalition of BC Businesses on February 22, 2010 in Vancouver. Although I was unable to attend the meeting, the Coalition members present valued the opportunity to meet and discuss our support for Canada’s Temporary Foreign Worker program.

The Coalition of BC Businesses is made up of business associations representing over 50,000 small and medium- sized business employers active in all sectors of B.C.'s diverse economy in communities throughout the province. The Coalition's focus is the development of labour and employment policies that will help foster a positive relationship between employers and employees and a climate for new economic growth, opportunities and jobs.

Although the national and B.C. economies are facing challenging times, several B.C. industries are finding it increasingly difficult to fill positions with unskilled labour. Demographic shifts in the coming years will see a rapid decline in our domestic workforce, stretching the ability of B.C. employers to meet employment needs.

To enhance productivity and economic growth, the Coalition supports the continued expansion and streamlining of the Temporary Foreign Worker program to expedite access of B.C. employers to foreign labour pools.

We hope to work with your Ministry and the Parliamentary Committee to identify solutions and opportunities to expand and steadily improve the program.

Should you have any questions, please do not hesitate to call.

Thank you.

John Winter
Chair, Coalition of BC Businesses

The Coalition of BC Businesses was formed in 1992 to represent the voice of small and medium-sized businesses in the development of British Columbia's labour and employment policies.

The Coalition is made up of organizations that collectively represent over 50,000 small and medium-sized businesses active in all sectors of BC's diverse economy in communities throughout the province. See list ...

The Coalition's sole focus is the development of labour policies that will help foster a positive relationship between employers and employees and a climate for new economic growth, opportunities and jobs.