About the Coalition

Coalition letter to The Editor

The Edmonton Journal
Letters to the Editor

March 18, 2010

Dear Editor,

RE: “Foreign Worker Abuses on the Rise, NDP Charges, March 18, 2010”

NDP MLA Rachel Notley’s assertion that the government should opt out of the Temporary Foreign Worker (TFW) program immediately is short sighted and ignores the fact that the TFW program is providing a win-win situation for both temporary foreign workers and Albertans. Temporary foreign workers in Alberta’s hospitality industry appreciate the opportunity to work in Alberta and earn wages several times higher than what they could earn in their own countries enabling them to send money home to help support their families.

The vast majority of temporary foreign workers are extremely well treated and valued by employers and co-workers alike and are enjoying their Alberta work experience. Many of them want to eventually return home to their families and friends and those who want to stay in Alberta can apply to immigrate through the Alberta Immigrant Nominee Program. Without the TFW program Alberta’s labour shortage would have forced many restaurants to severely reduce hours or shut down altogether resulting in staff/management burn out, less customer service, and less economic growth, while robbing thousands of temporary foreign workers and their families the opportunity to improve their quality of life.

Mark von Schellwitz
Vice President, Western Canada
Canadian Restaurant & Foodservices Association


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.