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Aspin hosts Dykstra at multicultural centre for a roundtable talk

Nipissing-Timiskaming MP Jay Aspin News Release ******************* Jay Aspin, Member of Parliament for Nipissing-Timiskaming hosted Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Citizenship and Immigration, MP Rick Dykstra Wednesday at the North Bay Mu
Kate Adams
Nipissing-Timiskaming MP Jay Aspin
News Release

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Jay Aspin, Member of Parliament for Nipissing-Timiskaming hosted Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Citizenship and Immigration, MP Rick Dykstra Wednesday at the North Bay Multicultural Centre for a roundtable with several local business and community leaders. The discussion focused on reforms to the Temporary Foreign Worker Program (TFWP) to ensure that it benefits the Canadian economy and that Canadians get the first chance at available jobs.

“Canada is experiencing significant skills shortages,” said MP Aspin. “While the TFWP addresses genuine and acute labour needs, it is imperative that Canadians always get first crack at job opportunities as they become available.”

The roundtable was part of the Canadian Government’s ongoing review of the TFWP, as announced in Economic Action Plan 2013. MP Aspin and Parliamentary Secretary Dykstra met with local business leaders to discuss issues such as how to recruit Canadians, how to ensure the TFWP is used as a temporary solution, and how to develop long-term solutions to skill shortages.

“These reforms will require that greater efforts be made to recruit and train Canadians to fill available jobs,” said PS Dykstra. “They will also help ensure the Temporary Foreign Worker Program is only used as intended—to fill acute skills shortages on a temporary basis.”

As part of the ongoing review of the TFWP, the Canadian government will seek input from Canadians on further changes, to ensure that the Program is working in the best interests of Canadian workers and businesses. Cross Canada consultations will be held over the coming months with businesses, industry and trade organizations, unions and others on additional changes to the TFWP.

“I was very pleased with today’s roundtable,” said MP Aspin. “This has been one of many occasions I have had the opportunity to host key members of our government and make sure that the concerns of our community are being heard in Ottawa.”

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